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Chapter Thirty-Seven

Aedre

“Will that be all, my lady?”

“Aye, thank you.”

Though Vanni’s bedchamber is dark, the maid has set out enough candles to cast a soft glow. Assuring me of her discretion, Vanni left us, promising to return soon.

This particular wing of the castle is meant for the Curia alone. My father’s chamber is so far away, I fear I might never find it again.

I will have to, of course. It would not do well to stay the night here. But I will admit, as I wait for him to return, the excitement of being with him again has helped to push aside any trepidation.

Where is he?

I move to the open shutters, marveling at how much warmer it is here than back home. Or what was my home.

The Kingdom of Meria.

I’d always thought of it as some distant place on the other side of the mountains. And now, Father and I will live here.

Father didn’t tell me about Vanni’s offer at first. Not until I admitted I did indeed love him.

I was miserable after he left. Father and Kipp had to coax me to dress, to eat. I chastised myself for sending him away. For refusing to at least speak with him before he left. My mind was so fixed on him, on our time together, that I could feel him, at times, in the bed beside me.

My misery was such that Kipp finally told my father what he knew about my involvement with Vanni . . . which was when it became clear to Father that my heart was indeed broken, not just from Amma’s death, but from losing Vanni. He told me of Vanni’s message, of the token he had given him, and tears flowed down my cheeks for a different reason: I knew we would be separated from Kipp. He promised to find a way to see us, however, and Father said we would return to Murwood on occasion too.

We left three days later after a tearful parting with friends, acquaintances, and Agnar, who I will miss dearly. And, of course, Kipp. The journey was an interesting one. I saw things I’d never dreamed of, such as the middle of the ocean with no land in sight, a very different sight than seeing those same waves from the safety of the shore. And through it all, I felt a strong sense of anticipation. Of being with Vanni again. Of kissing him again. Of doing more.

Walking into that hall, I was more nervous than I’d ever been in all my life. Until I saw him.

Then I knew right away I’d made the right decision.

As Amma had said, all would be well.

In d’Almerita.

The door opens. No fur-covered blankets adorn the massive bed inside. Instead, airy curtains give the chamber a very otherworldly feel.

Vanni closes it, turning the key with a click, which announces his intentions clearly. I’ve thought about this moment so many times that when he reaches me, his hand sliding behind my head, I wonder if this is actually happening.

Without a word, he closes his eyes and kisses me. Tenderly, with a longing and need that I completely understand. The kiss is tentative at first, but it quickly grows deeper. I pour all of my frustration and sadness, my hope and love into him.

When he pulls away, I’m left utterly breathless.

“What took so long?”

“Mmmm,” he responds, kissing behind my ear. “I had to make arrangements.”

His lips move down my neck, trailing a path of fire in their wake.

“What type of arrangements?”

He stops his ministrations to pull away and look at me.

“We were to leave tomorrow for Highburn Castle, to meet with Lord Hinton.”

“Were?”