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How can she speak so calmly when I cannot even find my voice?

“You are surprised to see me here.”

Surprised? The word hardly does justice to what I’m feeling. I look at Thomas.

“I noticed her being escorted to the hall,” he says, his companion still nowhere to be found.

My mind works quickly. “Your father told you?”

She nods. “Is there a place where we may speak privately?”

Though she looks beautiful in a gown fit for court, her hair neatly plaited, as is the current style, to me she was just as beautiful when covered in ash from the forge. Or, better yet, nude and lying beneath me.

Even still, it is a surprise to see her like this. And I’m not the only one to notice. We are the center of attention. Even . . .

I look to the dais and, as expected, Galfrid watches us.

He knows a little about Aedre, those facts which were important for me to relay in terms of Aldwine. He does not know I left my heart behind with her in Murwood.

“By coming here, into the hall, you’ve made it necessary for me to introduce you,” I whisper, knowing of her distaste for the king. “How did you get here? When did you arrive? And this gown . . .”

I guide her to the side of the hall, wishing we were alone.

“Father and I came by ship. We arrived this morn. The gown was a gift from Lady Bailor. She’s not visited court in years and warned me it would not be fashionable any longer. But it suits my purposes.”

Both king and queen watch us, so I begin to guide her toward them.

“What are those purposes, Aedre?” Her presence here answers my question. But I ask her anyway because I can hardly believe this is happening. “I thought I might never see you again.”

I tuck her arm in mine, every step toward Galfrid lighter and more joyous than the one before it.

“Father did not give me the message straightaway. But he did ask many questions. Some easier to answer than others.”

“He is here?”

She nods. “Marveling over the chamber he was given. He’s vowed never to leave it.”

And he never would. If I’m interpreting her presence correctly, this is her home now. Our home.

I’d dwelled on the passage of time over and over and over again. Each day that passed, I became more convinced she would not come.

It was a lot to ask of her.

Forgiveness.

Trust.

Uprooting the only lives they’d known to come to a place that no doubt makes them both uneasy, despite my assurances of their safety.

“And when he gave it?”

“Lord d’Abella,” Galfrid booms as we stand before him. “Who is the lovely woman by your side?”

I hesitate, looking at Aedre instead of my liege. By now the hall has quieted. Everyone will be speaking of this for some time.

Aedre looks at me and nods, smiling. Answering my question.

The words I said to her father run through my mind, as they’ve done so often since I left.

Your daughter asked me to leave Murwood End without seeing her. So I would ask that you deliver her a message. I love her and would marry her. Tell her I am sorry for not sharing my suspicions of her relationship with Kipp sooner. I leave my heart behind, though I do not wish to do so, because it is Aedre’s choice to love me back or nay.

He pressed me, of course, for details that were not mine to share.

I refused to say anything more, but I gave him the pin Galfrid had given me in recognition of my post. And I vowed that if he should ever find himself in d’Almerita, there would be a place for him as a castle smith. He could spend his days forging shields and swords instead of nails and hinges.

I ended by telling him, “You will be welcomed into court, where I will gladly be honored to make Aedre my wife.”

Assured by her nod, I turn back to the king as Aedre offers a deep curtsy.

“I would introduce you . . .” I remember how she introduced herself to me. Not ashamed of her ancestors but proud. Meria will accept her. I will see to it. “I would introduce you to Lady Aedre, daughter of Dal Lorenson, descendant of Athea.”

Galfrid does not flinch, but that last bit certainly did not go unnoticed by the crowd at my back. None speak of Athea here, blaming her for having broken the kingdom into two. But that was many, many years ago. And if she broke it, then Meria was fragile indeed.

“And,” I add, “my future wife.”

I’ve managed to surprise him.

And Galfrid doesn’t like surprises.