Page 24

REST

S he was a nice weight in his arms. Warm and solid, grounding and sure. She might be afraid and uncertain, but her fear would ease as she became accustomed to her new world.

And hopefully she would let him help her. He understood the fear, understood that she felt unwanted when all of his nobility looked down their noses at her as his common born wife.

But the city was celebrating one of their own. She was the people’s healer, the one that had seen to their ills, had saved their children, and in their eyes, she was finally getting the recognition she deserved.

Maybe he would take her into the city, let her see the celebrations. But would that help or harm?

Either way, it was time to rest and tomorrow he would ask her about it.

When she shifted in his arms and went to pull away, his first instinct was to hold her tighter, to keep her there. But instead, he made his arms relax and let her go.

“Good morning,” he told her quietly. “Did you sleep well?”

“You don’t have to wake up,” she replied, just as quiet. “I know it’s early, but there’s something I need to do.”

“Can I help?”

She shook her head. “There’s an illness somewhere, and I have to go take care of it.”

“Darling Emryn,” he sat up, watching her blush under the endearment. “Are you certain that’s wise?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you might consider that you’re still recovering.” He reached for her hand. “The palace healers will see to it. You and I are going to go down to the city today. I have something to show you.”

She slumped, reaching behind herself to rub the back of her neck. “Alright, I should let the palace healers do their work.”

He nodded. “I will go and dress. Would you call for breakfast?”

“Yes,” she nodded, and Cas rose from the bed.

“Emryn, I have a question.” He shrugged into his robe. “We share a door. Would you mind if I unlocked it?”

“That’s fine.” She looked at the door like it was the first time she’d seen it. “No sense in you running around in the hallway.”

“Thank you,” he smiled at Emryn. Reaching for the bell rope that would call Shana. “I gave it to Shana, for safekeeping so you wouldn’t feel threatened.”

“Why would I feel threatened?”

“Threatened might be the wrong word.” He smiled again. “Pressured might be better.”

“I’m perfectly capable of saying no.” She gave him a shaky smile as Shana walked in.

“Good morning, Highnesses,” Shana chirped. “Shall I call for breakfast and take Brutus out?”

“I would also like the key,” Cas gestured to the door. “Emryn has agreed to unlock the door.”

“Of course, Highness.” Shana pulled the ornate key from her pocket and held it out to Cas.

Cas took it, stepping over and unlocking the door before walking through and closing it behind him.

He washed, dressed, and waited a moment until Emryn would have had time to do the same. Shana would knock at the door when she was ready.

It took a little better than an hour, and Cas was sitting at his desk going over some land reports when it finally came.

He hurried over to the door, a smile blooming over his face as he walked through and stopped. Emryn was sitting on the floor with Brutus in her lap, brushing the puppy gently.

“It’s best to get him used to it slowly.” She looked up at him and smiled shyly. “Hello, Cas.”

“Hello, Emryn.” He walked over and watched Brutus clamber off Emryn’s lap to come and greet him. “Hello Brutus. Are you ready to go out?”

The puppy frisked around his feet, tongue hanging out in a silly smile.

He helped Emryn to her feet and got Brutus’ leash before they walked out into the garden hand in hand.

The sun was still rising, casting honeyed light everywhere. Flowers blooming, gardeners bustling everywhere. It was rather pastoral actually. Cas was never up this early, and now he wasn’t entirely certain why.

It was nice. There was a little breeze cooling the freshness of the air, and the light was very pleasant. Emryn reached for his hand, letting hers brush his as though she were asking for permission.

Cas reached back, holding her hand as they strolled the garden.

Brutus was frisking, rolling in the grass, and biting at the little insects he kicked up. He actually managed to get hold of one and looked rather disgusted at the flavor.

Emryn giggled, watching Brutus shake his head. “Silly boy.”

They went back to their rooms, where breakfast was set out and steaming into the air. Eating, feeding Brutus, talking about nothing. He wanted to get to know his wife, but she was shy about answering questions.

So instead, he told her stories about growing up in the palace. About finding a door unused and dusty and being lost in the palace walls for hours.

“It’s funny now,” he said, snacking on a bit of bacon. “But when it was happening, I was torn between being a very dusty adventurer and being frightened.”

Emryn nodded. “Who found you?”

“Asan.” Cas smiled. “I found an old, cracked mirror and he was watching the palace mirrors for me.”

Emryn looked over her shoulder at the mirror in her room. “That’s how he travels?”

Cas nodded. “He lives in a tower in the mountains and only sees his students now.” He shook his head. “He’s a bit of a recluse.”

“Did something happen to him?” Emryn took a bite of eggs and a nibble of her biscuit. “I can’t imagine he was always a recluse.”

“As long as I’ve known him.” Cas said. “When he was teaching me, I went to his tower quite a bit. It’s basically a library masquerading as a home.”

Emryn nodded, plainly thinking rather hard. “He’s certainly interesting.”

“Truly,” Cas pushed his plate away from him. “Well, shall we go?”

“Where are we going?” Emryn rose, stacking her plates together. “I should do the dishes.”

“The staff will handle the dishes, Emryn.” He reached out and took her hand. “You and I are going down to the city. I have something that I want to show you.”