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“Exhausted,” I admitted. We’d been at this for only minutes, and already I was not sure I could go much longer.
“That’s to be expected. What do you say we give it one more go, and then I’ll see you to bed?”
I smiled up at him, tired, but happy that he believed in me. “Yes, once more.”
Chapter 18
I leaned back into the velvet-covered seat of the sleigh, eyes fluttering closed for a moment of reprieve. My stomach gnawed at me from hunger, but I’d learned that interrupting Clemencia when she was trying to do the work her lord had given her was a bad idea. Five days into our journey, she’d grown increasingly more insistent on hours of lessons, and I resigned myself to being a dutiful student. But I couldn’t hold out much longer.
And then the squeal of a trunk opening, no doubt the one filled with books, told me that my lady-in-waiting was switching tasks. I opened my eyes, prepared to seize the moment.
“I think I need a break, Clemencia. It’s nearly lunchtime, right?”
“We could have an apple, I suppose.” Clemencia shut the trunk and looked at the basket of food we kept in the carriage. It got refilled at the inns each night and was supposed to last us during the long days of travel. Aside from heavier fare we were served at supper, we’d only eaten traveling food such as apples, crackers, cheeses, and, if we were lucky, dried meats. I was already tired of them.
In a shockingly short amount of time, I’d gotten used to the heartier dishes, as had my body. For lunch, an apple did not seem appealing. Not on its own, anyway. But then again, we didn’t have much choice.
I sighed and leaned forward. “Is there any cheese or meat to go with it today? I—”
The door to the moving sleigh flew open, and before I saw his face, I knew who it would be. Roar was the only person who visited us throughout the day.
“We’re coming upon a city.” Roar shoved into the sleigh’s carriage and took a seat beside me. Since we’d begun traveling, the snow had not stopped falling and it covered his gold traveling cloak lined with reddish-brown fox fur.
He shuddered in the sleigh’s relative warmth. “It’s cozy in here. I should spend more time with you ladies.”
Clemencia beamed, but I was glad Roar didn’t join us most of the time. I didn’t need the warden looking over my shoulder as my lady-in-waiting tested me.
“Are you ladies hungry?” Roar gazed first to Clemencia and then to me. “I know of a tavern in the city. It’s excellent.”
“I am,” I blurted.
The excitement that came with the prospect of real food must have shown on my face, because Roar’s lips twisted with amusement. “We’ll stop then. The city is called Traliska, quite a charming place, and the fae are welcoming. It’ll be a good place for you to see and be seen. Especially seeing as we’re getting close to Avaldenn.”
I understood. Upon arriving at court, the royals would know where we’d passed through. If they later sent anyone to check on our story, they’d stop off in the cities, towns, and villages on the Queen’s Road, the road that ran from east to west in Winter’s Realm. Here, we would need to act the part of a couple in love.
“Perfect,” I said, stretching my legs out a little.
Roar eyed my attire, which consisted of pants, a long-sleeved tunic, and a heavy traveling cloak. “Perhaps you should change. You look wonderful as always, but a dress would be best for touring Traliska.”
“Very well.” My gaze shifted to the small trunk that held clothing, set beneath Clemencia’s feet. Most of the clothing trunks that the maids packed stayed outside the sleigh, but a couple of smaller ones traveled inside with us, along with books, study materials, and food.
“I’ll leave you to change then.” Roar hunched over and shuffled toward the door. He leapt out of the moving sleigh, shutting the door behind him.
I peered out the window in time to watch the soldier who had been guiding the warden’s horse while the line plodded forth stop so that Roar could mount. Once astride, Roar sent his horse into a trot to inform the front of the column of his wishes.
“Put this on.” Clemencia shoved a dress in my face.
Startled, I turned. “How did you even get it out of the trunk so fast?”
“It is my job to anticipate your needs.” Her narrow, almond-shaped eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled proudly. “Pull the curtain so no one will see you change.”
I did as she said and began undoing my boots. Once my feet were bare, the rest of my clothing followed, and Clemencia helped me into the simple dress. The red shift with gold snowflake embellishments around the wrists and neckline wasn’t pretentious, but clearly declared that Roar and I were together. It would be perfect for our outing.
“Should I use the same boots?” I asked.
“They’ll do for here.” Clemencia nodded. “Save your best footwear for court.”
I pulled on the brown leather boots and laced them up. By the time I finished, the sleigh had slowed considerably.
