Whatever people said about Blayne, he couldn’t hold a candle to his brother.
Who had just looked up from his dog to catch me staring. Only this time I didn’t have to feel guilty or ashamed. Because he was mine. And I was allowed to stare.
And he was staring right back.
For a second our gazes were locked and neither of us moved.
Then he was running and I was running, and we didn’t stop until my arms were wrapped around his neck and his were locked around my waist, his face pressed in my hair.
“Five months is too long,” he rasped.
My eyes watered, and I told myself I would never let go. “You smell like home.”
I felt him crack a smile. “Would you believe me if I told you the same?”
I nodded and then held still, surrounded by pine and cloves, and for just once everything was right. The two of us in the middle of the courtyard, snow falling softly around us, lost to the rest of the world. I was content to stay that way for the rest of my life.
“Ah, and I see the prestigious lowborn has returned.”
I started to pull away, but Darren held tight and growled at his brother who had managed to make an appearance unnoticed.
“Not now, Blayne.”
“You don’t have to use such a surly tone, Darren, I was merely making an observation.” The crown prince’s gaze fell to me, and he wrinkled his nose. “Might I suggest a nice bath before greeting anyone from court.”
My cheeks burned as the heir to the kingdom sauntered away, a swing in his step.
“Don’t listen to him.” Darren’s tone was resigned. “Blayne is just worried about the Pythians’ arrival. Father has been… difficult.”
I shook my head and stepped out of his embrace. “You don’t need to explain.” Blayne and I shared a mutual dislike. The king’s temperament had no part in that.
I sighed. “Besides, Paige and I have been riding all day. I should probably get cleaned up before anyone else sees us.”
“Then let me take you to your chambers.” The non-heir caught my wrist and pulled me forward.
“What about Paige?” I glanced at my knight. She was trying to pick gray dog hair off her breeches with a sour expression. Wolf, seemingly oblivious to her reaction, continued to bark at her, demanding a playmate.
I stifled a smile.
“While you are on palace grounds, there is no need for a personal guard.” Darren led me to the castle doors. “She will be on rotation with the rest of the King’s Regiment.”
“Oh.” I followed him inside, and then froze as soon as I set foot on the marble. That’s how long it took to recall his words. “My…chambers?”
He gave me a crooked grin. “You have the room next to mine. The servants spent the last week preparing it. Once we are wed, it will be a sitting room, but until then it’s where you will stay during your time here. Your ladies-in-waiting have been…”
Darren rattled on, detailing the other changes that had taken place, but my thoughts had already been swept up by the first.
My own room. With ladies-in-waiting—my ladies-in-waiting. I swallowed, suddenly nervous. I had managed to avoid most of the changes from my new status in Ferren. The capital was a different story. I knew the king wouldn’t let me run around in training breeches and a shirt unless I was in the practice courts.
What if they expected me to act like my new station? Highborn, well mannered, and fluent in whatever flowery tongue the nobility expected? I hadn’t the slightest idea how to act like a true lady of court. Ella did, but she wasn’t here to help guide me.
Not for the first time, I missed my best friend. Not just because she could tell me what to do. But so that she could hold my hand. We had gone through everything together.
For five years she had helped guide me through training and Darren and the etiquette of court; this time, I was on my own.
****
I couldn’t keep from gawking even after Darren had finished showing me to my new chambers. This was it. My own room. In the king’s palace. As the non-heir’s future wife.
Nothing would ever be the same.
Two ladies-in-waiting had already called upon some servants to draw a bath in the paneled wood tub of a small adjoining room. I almost died of delight when I stepped in and the water was still steeping hot. I stayed until the water ran cold, rubbing my skin raw, and then soaking in the lavender-scented bubbles a bit longer.
When I finally did step out freshly pressed linens were waiting. Bliss.