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“You don’t have to, Clem.”

At the nickname, her cheeks turned a sweet pink. “I know that you and the warden gave me the night off, but if something happened to you, I’d never be able to forgive myself. And after the fun I had, nothing can top it.”

The fun? I arched an eyebrow. “Did you dance with someone handsome?”

The pink of her cheeks deepened to red. “I—I did.”

I leaned forward. “What’s his name?”

“Luccan.”

“Oh! I spoke with Lord Riis! That’s one of his sons, isn’t he? He’s quite handsome too.” I didn’t add that the lord had told me his son was quite taken with Clem. Better to hear what she thought first.

“He is one of Lord Riis’s bastard sons.” At the word bastard, her brightness dimmed.

That was right, Riis’s sons weren’t legitimate because the Lord of Tongues was unmarried. While Roar had previously expressed distaste with such a birth status, I didn’t care. And I didn’t like that such an opinion stole my friend’s joy.

I met her eyes gently. “Was he kind to you?”

The smile returned to her face. “He was. He said he loved my perfume. Even nicer, he was an excellent dancer.”

“His kindness and how he treats you is all that matters.”

It might be a lie. I wasn’t sure if Clemencia’s father would appreciate such a match for his daughter, but he wasn’t here. And really, who was trying to match her, anyway? No one at court. She attended the festival to help me and deserved some fun. For tonight, Luccan’s status mattered nothing.

“Tell me about him as I prepare for bed.” I looped my arm through hers, hoping the story would keep my mind off the vampire in the palace.

Chapter 35

I woke in bed to the sounds of joyously shrieking younglings and the sun warming my face. Yawning, I rose and rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

What time had I finally fallen asleep? Last I recalled, I was still waiting for Roar at the hour of the aura owl, when the moon hung high in the sky.

For a moment, I wondered why he didn’t knock and wake me when he returned to our suite, but then I figured he knew I would be terrified by the appearance of Prince Gervais. Roar had likely tried to be kind and save me the horror of dealing with the vampire until the morning.

I slipped from the bed and wrapped a robe around my shoulders as I shuffled to the window and cracked it open. Judging by the position of the sun, it was late morning. Events for the Courting Festival would begin soon. Not that I planned to attend. I’d already decided to play sick until the vampire left court.

I swept from my room to find Clemencia sitting on the settee and staring at the door to the suite, her back unnaturally straight.

“Clem? Is something wrong?” I asked when she didn’t notice my approach.

She twisted, and I drew back. Clemencia was never anything short of put together, but today dark circles ringed her eyes, and she appeared pale. Slowly, she stood. “My lady, I don’t mean to startle you, but Warden Roar did not return last night.”

I stopped walking and pivoted to see Roar’s bedchamber door open a hand’s width. When he was in his room, he was in the habit of closing the door behind him, and no sounds came from within either.

“Are you sure?” I asked, searching for an explanation. “Maybe he came back and left already? It’s rather late for waking.”

She swallowed. “I’ve been awake all night.”

“But why?”

“You were so distraught; I couldn’t sleep thinking of you waking up in fear.” Her teeth sank into her bottom lip. “Would you like me to light the hearth? It’s colder than usual this morning.”

My throat tightened. “I’m fine, but if you want a fire, please do. I wish you would have rested.”

She ignored my comment as her attention once again swept to the front door. “I worry about Lord Roar.”

I nodded. Roar must have celebrated too hard—after all, the king had announced us as matched. Not only was it a personal triumph for the both of us, but perhaps other lord and ladies had wished to drink and be merry with him? Would they really still be out though when they’d be expected at events today?