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“No. I’m okay. Really.” But I let her lead me along anyway, because, come to think of it, it’d probably be smart to return to the waiting carriages and horses so I could gather some supplies and borrow a mount before taking off after the old man again.
But I only went a few steps before the cat tripped me up, darting between my legs and trying to keep up with me so it could tag along.
After catching my balance, I took a sweet treat from my pocket—something I’d stolen from Nicolette’s carriage—and I leaned down to feed the scraggly animal. Its coat wasn’t as pure black as I’d first assumed. All four paws and the tip of its tail were white, as was its belly and nose. The thing seemed cuter now that it was up close, as well as softer and maybe even younger too.
It sniffed the food with interest, then snagged it from my hand and wolfed it down whole before returning to my fingers, looking for more.
I smiled softly. “Sorry, little buddy. I wish I had another for you, but that was it.” Guilt swamped me as it kept sniffing and licking my hand. I wondered when the poor, pathetic thing had eaten last.
When I glanced up at Nicolette to ask if she was carrying any food on her, the cat took that moment to use my arm like a tree, and it climbed right up me, digging claws straight through the cloth of my tunic until it reached my shoulder, where it perched itself like it was some kind of pet bird.
“Uh—okay.” I guess that meant it was coming with me. Smiling slightly at my new companion, I reached up and patted its side, then held it steady there on my shoulder so it wouldn’t fall off as I rose to my full height.
Nicolette lifted a curious eyebrow as she blinked back and forth between us. “Looks like you made a new friend.”
“Seems like it,” I answered.
Strangely, the feline didn’t stink. It smelled kind of like vanilla beans mixed with campfire smoke. Two of my favorite fragrances.
At the opening of the alley, the guards under my command eyed me and the cat on my shoulder with a mixture of curiosity and confusion.
“The queen’s returning to her cavalcade for a few minutes,” I instructed them. “Clear a path for her.”
They took off without question, and Nicolette, Farrow, and I walked along through the streets of Pinsky, with the villagers parting the way for us and gaping as if we’d lost our minds for strolling amongst them. I honestly couldn’t imagine how it all looked from their point of view. It was one thing for the new young queen to visit her people in their villages, but I’m sure it was quite another for her to be darting down a side alley and checking on men who’d been bashed unconscious.
I leaned toward her. “You’re the most unconventional ruler they’ll ever see, you know that, right?”
“Oh, pooh.” She waved an unconcerned hand. “They’ll get used to me.”
“They’ll have to,” Farrow threw in from the other side of her. “Because she certainly won’t change her ways.”
Not that he wanted her to; the prince consort was completely satisfied with the queen just the way she was.
I had to admit, I also preferred her as is. She was like a sister to me and was probably the closest companion I had left alive.
“You really don’t have to walk me back to the carriages,” I told her, though. “You have your duties here to see to. Besides, I don’t plan on staying long, just gathering some supplies and a horse, and then going out on my own.”
“Your own?” She slammed to a stop and whirled toward me. “You’re leaving?” A second later, she gasped. “Like, leaving, leaving? For how long?”
When I realized I had no idea, a heated ball of regret formed in my chest.
Because I might never return.
I probably should’ve worried that she might forbid me from going. She was my queen; she could very well do that. Except Nicolette and I didn’t have that kind of relationship.
So I murmured a
soft, apologetic, “Nic, I just found my true love. And he got away. I need to find him.” And discover what was going on with him, because nothing about him added up.
She nodded, but still looked concerned. “Of course. But when do you think you’ll be back?” Then she swallowed audibly. “Will you be back?”
“I…” I shared a solemn glance with Farrow. He nodded as if he understood before he wrapped his arms around his wife from behind and kissed the side of her head in comfort.
Turning back to Nicolette, I winced when she blinked repeatedly and wiped at her cheek. “Why does it feel as if I’m saying goodbye to you forever?”
I focused on her for the first time since sensing my true love nearly an hour ago. Her gaze was wide with worry, and more tears glimmered in her eyes.
Taking her hand, I smiled softly. “Nic, Jesus. Don’t cry. I promise I’ll come back if I can. But until then, I recommend you consider the knight Renwick to take my place as commander of your armies.”
