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A guard opened the front door for us. As soon as we stepped out of the castle the cold air hit us and she shifted closer, pressing her body against mine.
“It’s snowing,” she said, holding out her hand to catch a stray snowflake. “I’ve never seen real snow before.”
“It’s only a light sprinkle,” I replied. “Today, at least. Let’s do a short walk and see how you go. If it gets too cold, then we’ll go back.”
She nodded and together we walked down the main street and around the town, looking at the houses and shops and enjoying the bustle of people as they went about their daily business.
“You said that your father makes sure no-one here goes without food,” she said, when we walked past a small vegetable cart. “How does he do that exactly?”
“Well, one of the first things he did for our kingdom was to lift all the taxes and supply everyone with free electricity, heating, and water. The necessities. Next was food. The new council knows who in the town needs a helping hand, and we provide what they need. Our people work hard and they rarely need hand-outs, especially with their basic needs taken care of.”
Charity stared up at me, then shook her head, focusing back on the road. “Wow. That’s amazing. I feel like I work night and day just to pay the mortgage most weeks. It must be amazing to know that you’ll always have a home, and be able to keep the lights on.”
It was my turn to frown down at her. “You don’t enjoy your work?” I’d assumed she must, given she wanted to go back to it, but if she didn’t, well that would make her transition to living here much easier.
Her lips twisted as she thought on her answer. “I do... but if I suddenly didn’t have to work to pay the bills, would I still do it? Hell no.”
That was exactly what I wanted to hear.
She’d mentioned a little of her family over breakfast, but I wasn’t sure how close she was with them. Would she miss them, living here? “Do you see your family much?” I asked, assuming of course that she was unmarried. Surely, fate wouldn’t have sent me a woman who wasn’t available?
“I don’t see them a lot,” she answered, her voice soft and slight reflective. “My parents live a few hours away.”
“Have you seen enough of the town for now?” I asked, stopping at a fork in the road where we could choose to continue to walk, or head back.
“Yes, I’m a bit tired actually.”
“This way,” I said, directing her back up the hill toward the castle. “Would you like to rest?”
She was looking paler by the moment. When she nodded I twisted and picked her up in my arms.
“You’ve gotta stop doing that,” she said, but she didn’t fight me. Quite the opposite. She lay her head on my shoulder and sighed.
“When you stop looking like you’re going to fall down, I’ll stop picking you up.”
She laughed lightly, but didn’t lift her head. I got her back to the castle as quickly as I could, and walked her up every flight of stairs until we reached her room.
The continuing silence was too much. As I lay her on the bed I tried to make conversation. “Did you know these used to be my mother’s chambers, before my parents married?”
“You said your mom isn’t a shifter?” She sounded curious but her eyes were closing. She’d obviously pushed her limits with the long walk.
“No. She’s something different.” I pulled the blankets up over Charity, clothes and all. I didn’t think now was the time to tell her about my mom being a sorceress. “You can ask more questions later. You need to rest.”
“I need to call my work,” she said, but didn’t move.
“You can when you wake up again.” I wanted to reassure her and leaned in to press a kiss to her forehead.
“Why are you being so nice to me?” she whispered, but her eyes were still closed so I could stare at her without her noticing. She was so beautiful. So delicate. So precious.
Because you’re my mate.
“Because you’re our guest,” I said, chickening out of telling her the whole truth about our situation. “Sleep. I’ll come get you when lunch is ready.”
She didn’t answer so I had to assume she was already asleep.
I crept out and shut the door, a wave of relief passing over me at the knowledge that she’d seen and seemed to accept my dragon form. We’d gotten over that first hurdle, but I was under no illusions. We still had many more to go before I could be confident that Charity would stay with me.
My dragon hadn’t sent her running, but my magic might.
