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I must have looked hesitant because her eyes narrowed. “What is it, Draven?”
“Gawain wishes to come. He’s a formidable warrior. A good friend.”
“Yes? So, what’s the problem?”
“Crescent is insisting on coming along as well. He won’t let another stitcher take his place.”
“So? Oh. I see.”
“Yes. Taina.”
“She can’t possibly go with you.”
“No, she can’t. She’ll be... remaining here. With you.”
“Me?” The word was practically a shriek. “I’m no nanny.”
“Odessa will assist you,” I said soothingly. “She’s the girl’s aunt, after all. But officially, I’ll be leaving you as the girl’s protector. After all that’s occurred, Crescent and Gawain may have enemies they don’t even know about. If any should seek to harm them through their daughter...”
Lyrastra’s face hardened. “Just let them fucking try.”
“That’s the spirit I was looking for,” I said.
“Fine,” she said, her expression still sour. “I’ll watch over her. Her and the entire continent. For you.”
“And I’ll love you for it.” I grinned in a way I hoped was cheeky.
Her face softened. “We only have each other now. Out of this entire miserable fucking royal family. All the rest are dead.”
I nodded. “They weren’t all miserable.”
She cast her eyes downwards. “No, I suppose they weren’t. Two of them, at least.”
I wavered, then asked, “Is it strange... My being... Well, married again. After Nodori...”
Her eyes flashed. “No. Why should it be? Nodori... Well, she was always the better half. You know this. She was better than you. Certainly better than I. She would have wanted... She would have wanted you to be happy again. You know this.” She raised her eyes to my face. “And I know you never would have been happy with her. Not really. Between the two of us, let's be truthful about that at least.”
There was a tight feeling in the center of my chest. I thought of Nodori. I thought of Nimue.
“I... might have been,” I said carefully. “I’ll never know.”
I knew less about being happy than most people, I suspected. But I wasn’t about to say such a self-pitying thing to Lyrastra in her current state.
Oh, I’d felt true happiness a few times in my life. Always with the same person.
Lyrastra’s face filled with pity. I knew she was thinking about Nimue, too.
“Well, one thing is certain,” she said. She flipped back the silken coverlet that lay over her lap, and to my surprise, began sliding to the edge of the bed.
I stepped back, knowing she would not want my help. “Oh? And what’s that?”
“We’re better off the way we are now,” she said firmly. “Whether it’s Morgan or you or me on that cursed throne, it’s better than Sephone or Avriel or your father or Tabor.” She gave me a crooked smile and started walking over towards her wardrobe. “And I’ll have Odessa to keep me in check. Don’t think I don’t know that.”
“You’ll keep each other in check.”
She stopped abruptly. “I want Breena.”
“Breena?” I was confused. “My housekeeper?”
