Page 36

“You read quite a lot in that court?”

“Books were passed around, and I read them whenever I got the chance. I would have loved to read more, though.”

“I see.” He paused and let out an exhale charged with a million emotions. “I should let Clemencia continue her lessons.”

“You don’t wish to continue instructions? Or to show me more of your prowess?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

“I never said that.” His tone lowered, and for a moment his eyes lingered on my lips.

My stomach fluttered. Would he kiss me? If so, what would I do? There was no denying that Roar was attractive and kind and I suspected that any fae would be lucky to have him as a mate, but with our agreement, would such an act be smart?

The question became moot as Roar met my eyes once again and continued as if he had not been staring at my lips. “I’m late to meet with the Merchant Guild. I hope they’ll forgive my tardiness.”

“Ah, good luck.” I pursed my lips, wondering what exactly the Guild did. It wasn’t the first time he’d met with them.

“I’ll see you at dinner then?” Roar lifted an eyebrow at me in question. “In the small dining room?”

After the orc attack, we’d eaten dinner together in my room, but his question and the hope in his eyes struck me as significant. It made my heart beat harder, confusing me even more. “Wouldn’t miss it. After all this dancing, I’ll be ravenous.”

“When are you not hungry?” he teased.

I wrinkled my nose, which made him laugh as he left the room.

The moment Roar shut the door behind him, Clemencia stood there, her eyes wide. “My lady, that was so sweet, sensual even.”

“Was it?” It had felt fun, natural, and thrilling to me, but not sensual. Had it truly appeared otherwise?

“I think so, yes. And you danced for so long! How romantic!” She fanned herself in a way that made me hold in a laugh.

“No, we didn’t. It was barely any time at all.”

“It might have felt that way to you, but you danced for the length of two songs, at least!”

It had felt like less.

She chuckled lightly at the shock that had to be creeping over me. “But you are engaged, and he clearly adores you. It’s nice. I’ve known him since I was a girl—seen him at various functions, I mean—I did not know him well. At any rate, he has never looked so light and happy.”

That gave me an idea. She had known Roar as a girl, which meant she had to know about his family.

“I made the mistake of asking about his family, but he didn’t say much. So I was wondering, could you tell me what exactly happened to his parents and brother?”

Her mouth snapped shut, all joy over the dancing gone in an instant. “Pardon me, my lady?”

“Roar told me they died, but not how. Can you tell me? I want to know but also tread lightly and not re-open any wounds.”

She shuffled from side to side and glanced at the floor. “I suppose it isn’t a secret, just rarely talked about.”

“I won’t gossip about it. I merely wish to understand the fae I’m marrying better.”

Her gaze lifted to me in earnest. “Of course. Well, it was an accident, you see. Shortly after the White Bear’s rebellion, the realm was unstable. Many lords and ladies were recreating alliances. The previous Warden of the West, his lady wife, and eldest son went on a journey. Supposedly, they were traveling to see House Balik in the southlands to propose a marriage contract with Warden of the South.” She shrugged as if to say she wasn’t sure, but it sounded reasonable to me. “At any rate, they were traveling through a mountain pass when frost giants attacked their traveling party, and all three of them were lost. We never found their bodies, only one of a frost giant laying dead atop a crushed horse. The horse’s saddle bore the Lisika emblem.”

“That’s awful.”

Sadness swept across her face. “The only mercy was that my lord had not joined his family on their journey. He’d taken ill a few days earlier. The sickness ended up sacrificing his wings but saving his life.”

The blight. Yes, Frode had mentioned it struck around that same time. The illness had taken Roar’s golden wings, curled back and inward as if the edges tried to touch his spine. It must have been horrible, but I had to agree that Clemencia spoke true. Misshapen wings were a small price to pay to keep one’s life. I would pay much more.

Chapter 13