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However, it was bitterly cold. The air bit at my nose, making me wish I had asked for a warming spell from Emrys. My heavy layers of velvet and wool protected me well against the temperature. Emrys had surprised me with fur-lined boots at the first hint of cold in the fall, but nothing could insulate my face.
Despite this, I wasn’t inclined to rush. Nausea and exhaustion had become my companions for the past few days. Emrys and I had argued just that morning about whether their appearance merited summoning Merlon. As much as we both loved the grumpy healer, his insistence on coming on foot made the journey arduous. I hated to summon him if the cause wasn’t serious.
“Do you need something, my queen?” Favian appeared out of my shadow and fell into step next to me, matching my shorter pace. “You seem pensive.”
“Merely preoccupied.” I glanced up at the tall elf. He had cut his hair so that it no longer touched his shoulders. Instead, the longest strands brushed the tips of his pointed ears, giving him a much younger, more approachable appearance. The silver streaks among the black caught the sunlight. The glint lightened his features and drew attention to his unusual eyes. Unlike most of the elves I had met, whose eye color tended toward shades of blue or green with silver highlights, Favian’s were brown with a golden flare.
“I hope my pending reassignment isn’t the cause.”
I shook my head. “As much as I will miss you guarding my back, I understood from the beginning it was a temporary assignment.” I glanced at him. “Are you eager to take up your new assignment?”
“Despite its delicate nature, I am.” A slight curve to his mouth hinted at a smile, but a wariness about his tone made me wonder about his new assignment. “I have been waiting for the opportunity for a long time.” He caught me watching him. “But that doesn’t mean I haven’t enjoyed being in Your Majesty’s service. It has been a great pleasure.”
I paused in the middle of the path and turned to study him more fully. “Where is Illeron sending you?”
Surprise widened his eyes, but he answered readily enough. “One of the Sika Conglomerate’s noblemen requested an elven bodyguard to defend his daughter. There have been attempts on her life of late. The arrangement is a clause in a recent agreement between him and the king. The spymaster has determined that establishing goodwill between us and the Conglomerate is crucial for the future of supply chains supporting both our nations.”
Although he spoke openly and directly, something hid behind his tone and the play of emotions across his features. “There is something else bothering you.” I peered up into his face. “There is no need to share though.” I squeezed his forearm briefly. “Just know I wish you all success in your endeavor and I will be happy to offer help should you need it.”
“But, my queen, you do not know of my intentions.”
I flashed him a smile. “But I know you.” Then turning, I scanned the gardens. “Now, where did that pup go? Sable!”
A distant yip answered my call, and a dark head appeared above a distant bush.
“She best not be digging again,” I muttered.
“I don’t know how you can call her a pup, my queen. She is almost as large as a small horse.”
“But at heart, she is still a puppy.”
Sable bounded over a hedge, burst onto the gravel path down the hill, and began tearing toward us at a dead run. Tails whipping and tongue lolling, she scrambled to a halt at my feet, bouncing with excitement.
“Sit,” I commanded.
After three tries to plant her wriggling bum on the gravel, Sable finally succeeded, but the regular spasms of her tails stirring the gravel undermined her efforts at dignity.
“Good girl.” Rubbing her silken head, I scratched her ears before stroking them. “I am glad you had your fun, but now it is time for work.”
The Grimm’s bright eyes sobered. She understood far more of what I said than the typical dog, an attribute I was particularly grateful for. Without it, I couldn’t trust her to attend official events or behave in tense situations.
“My queen!” A servant came rushing down the paths from the direction of the castle. The young light elf skidded to a stop and offered me a hasty bow. “The royal healer is here to see you. His Majesty the king requests you attend them in his receiving room.”
I sent the messenger off with the reply that I would be there momentarily.
I rolled my eyes the moment the elf was well away. “Emrys, you didn’t.” Tipping my head back, I glanced at the sky for a moment.
“Did what, my queen?” Favian asked from beside me.
“Summon Merlon just for a bit of queasiness and fatigue.” I set off toward the nearest entrance. The faster I moved, the sooner this would be over. I blinked back tears as I reminded myself that I could handle another disappointment.
“Perhaps he is just concerned about your health,” Favian suggested, matching my pace with annoying ease. There were some disadvantages of living among a species that were inclined toward height.
“I am sure that is part of it,” I agreed. More of it was probably his desire for a child. Although we enjoyed the benefits of marriage with delightful frequency and deepening delight, I had long given up hope of children. Emrys, on the other hand, was much more optimistic.
Spotting Alora walking along the path ahead, I waved her down. She could watch over Sable while I answered my husband’s summons. The exercise would do both the dog and my sister-in-law good.
Within moments, I reached my husband’s receiving room. Not bothering with letting the attendant announce my arrival, I waved him off and burst through the door myself. Emrys and Merlon looked up from their positions on opposite sides of Emrys’ desk. From their attitudes, I suspected they had been arguing again.
