Page 44 of Anwen of Primewood (The Eldentimber #2)

T he trip to Castle Glendon takes about five days. I ride it in three-and-a-half. I’ve slept little. Now I’m weary with exhaustion.

But I am here.

Pika follows me through the village. Peasants gawk and whisper when they see the glasseln, but none attack. Her jeweled collar is prominent; it’s obvious she is a pet.

When we reach the castle, I slide from Mara’s back, almost falling to the ground. Grooms rush to meet me even as they cast wary glances at Pika.

“She is tame,” I assure them as I set my hand on her back. I turn to the castle steward, who has come forward to greet me. “I’m Anwen of Primewood, daughter of Baron Thomas Millner. I must see Galinor.”

It takes a great deal of control not to rush past him, throw open the doors, and call for Galinor myself. But I wait.

My heart sinks as his face falls .

“Your Ladyship,” the steward begins. “The prince was attacked—”

The man still speaks, but my knees buckle under me—both from exhaustion and a fear realized.

“Lady Anwen!” the steward exclaims, and he motions for a groom to assist me. “Escort her inside.”

The men pull me to my feet, and I don’t bother to object. We’re only a few steps into the hall when familiar voices sound from down the next corridor.

I spot Marigold first, but Irving’s at her side. When the two see me, they rush forward, leaving Teagan and Queen Penelope behind.

Marigold embraces me so tightly it hurts. “You’re all right?” she demands, holding me back so she can look me over. Her eyes brim with tears, and her face contorts with silent sobs as she gasps, “They said you were dead!”

Irving wraps his arms around us both. He clears his throat, a masculine attempt to hide his emotion. “It’s always a pleasure, but I don’t think I’ve ever been quite this relieved to see you.”

I pull away from them. “Where’s Galinor?”

Teagan meets us, his mother at his heels. His face creases with concern. “Anwen, you are safe. The news we received—”

“Hush now,” Penelope softly cuts off her eldest son. “You are well?”

“Galinor? Is he…”

I mean to say here , but the word on the tip of my tongue is dead .

The queen shakes her head, her eyes bright with unshed tears.

“We don’t know. He’s been in Triblue for months, but he sent a messenger several days ago with news he’d been attacked.

” She blinks, her bright eyes so much like her youngest son’s.

“Anwen—the men who came after him said…they said you…” She breaks off, unable to continue her thought. “He’s gone to Primewood.”

“But he’s all right?”

Mother and son exchange a look before Teagan answers, “As far as we know.”

I almost sink to the floor with relief.

Penelope takes my arm and leads me down the hall. “I’m sure he is well. Stay and rest. You look like you haven’t slept in days.”

Teagan follows. “We will send a messenger to Primewood. The news of your safety should meet Galinor shortly after he arrives.”

I nod, unable to argue. Though I want to go back to Primewood myself, I can’t ride like this. Now that I know the attack was unsuccessful, the full extent of my exhaustion hits me.

Galinor’s mother brings me to the same room I stayed in all those months ago. She promptly dresses me for bed and then tucks me in like a child. I’m asleep before she leaves.

I don’t wake until noon the following day. A meal is brought to the royal quarters, where I join Galinor’s family, Irving, and Marigold. I pick at my food, eating only so I don’t offend my hosts .

King Howell and his queen are gracious and warm. Teagan and Marigold are knowledgeable and interesting. And Irving is Irving.

But the only company I want is Galinor’s.

“We are so relieved you are safe, Anwen,” King Howell says. “And you are welcome here for as long as you like.”

I roll my cloth napkin in my lap and nod. Marigold sets her hand over mine and gives me a reassuring squeeze. I look at her, more grateful for her presence than she’ll ever know.

“Galinor will return when he receives the message,” she assures me quietly. “I imagine he’ll be back in less than a fortnight, perhaps sooner depending on where he was in Triblue when he left for Primewood.”

I try to smile. She makes it sound as if the span of time is nothing, but it seems so long.

Striving for normalcy, Teagan turns the conversation toward the Lestonian scrolls he’s acquired. I listen to his and Marigold’s animated conversation, not really hearing what they’re saying but comforted by the chatter nonetheless.

I escape to my rooms as soon as the meal is over. With Galinor gone, I find the castle empty and lonely. Pretty handmaids watch me with wary eyes. I wonder how many have convinced themselves they are in love with the handsome, second-born prince.

The days drag on, and as I wait, I begin to worry. Why isn’t Galinor back yet? Why haven’t we heard news?

Marigold does her best to distract me as we wait for Galinor’s return, but I hate to take her away from Teagan. I escape her and walk the back courtyard with Pika .

The gardens aren’t bursting with exotic flowers like the ones in Lauramore.

Instead, they are overgrown with bushes and trees, making them the perfect destination for those seeking solitude.

Spring flowers spill from urns and run free along the path.

I step around them, careful not to crush the blooms. When I find a bench overlooking a shallow pool, I finally sit.

Pika stretches at my feet, content to nap in the sunshine.

Irving finds me here.

“So, this is where you’ve been hiding.” He gazes around my sanctuary and gives me a small smile. “How are you?”

“I don’t know.”

He sits next to me, leaning forward to watch the sun’s rays play on the water. “You’ve gone and fallen in love with Galinor, haven’t you?”

“I’m afraid so.”

He tilts his head toward me, a wry smile on his face. “I figured as much.” Idly rolling a stick between his fingers, he looks back at the water. “For some reason, I’d always figured we’d…you know.”

“End up together?” I supply, my voice quiet.

“Yes.” He studies me. “We’re comfortable, you and I. Familiar. And I’ve never felt that frustration with you—that acute exasperation that makes me think I’m either going mad or…”

“Falling in love?” I let out a soft laugh. “You miss Rosie, don’t you?”

“I can’t get her out of my head.” He rubs a hand over his face. “It’s been—what? Three months? Four?”

I elbow him. “That’s a record for you, I believe. ”

He meets my eyes, serious. “I know.”

“Go find her, Irving. Sweep her off her feet—we both know you’re capable of it.”

He raises a teasing eyebrow, but then his expression goes solemn. “No. Rosie’s made her feelings clear—perfectly and loudly clear. She doesn’t want to see me.”

I could throttle the prince and Rosie both.

“Don’t walk away from love, Irving. Grasp hold of it while you can.”

He raises an eyebrow. “There’s experience behind that brooding sentiment.”

“I sent Galinor away.” I tilt my head up to study the sky. “I don’t know if he’ll want me when he returns.”

Irving bumps his shoulder into mine. “Well, if he doesn’t, the two of us can be miserable together. Deal?”

I smile despite myself. “Deal.”

He smiles. “He’ll want you.”

“She would want you, too.”

He laughs once, a dark, disbelieving sound. “Well, we’ll never find out if you’re right.”

I’m about to argue when the cry of trumpets sound through the air, announcing the arrival of someone important.

“He’s back!” I jump to my feet and race through the gardens and to the front.

As I round the corner, I stop suddenly, my heart in my throat. I’m scared. Scared he won’t want me.

A stable boy leads away an unfamiliar horse. He sees me and the questioning look on my face, and the boy takes pity on me. “It’s only a messenger who has returned, Your Ladyship.” He dips his head respectfully and turns toward the stables.

I let out a breath. Discouraged, every muscle in my body goes slack.

The king, queen, and Teagan stand gathered with the messenger in their private quarters. Though the door is open, I knock on the frame.

“Anwen.” The queen smiles wide. “We’ve good news. Galinor will return home soon.”

“Have you seen him?” I ask the messenger. “Is he well?”

“He is well, yes, but I have not seen him. I met his man in Estlebrook. The fellow’s horse went lame, and he asked me to deliver Galinor’s message. Since I was headed this way anyway, I was happy to oblige.”

I smile, biting my lip so I don’t cry.

If Galinor is well, why is he not here? Obviously, he’s not as eager to see me as I am him. What does that mean? Could one winter have changed his heart?

The man continues with his news, but much of it revolves around weather and kingdom gossip, and I’m not interested. I excuse myself.

“Please tell the king and queen I won’t be at dinner tonight,” I say to my lady’s maid once I reach my chambers. “I’m not feeling well.”

She nods and disappears through the door. My heart hollow, I lie down and stare at the bed’s canopy. How could I have sent Galinor away? What a fool I am.

Somehow, I drift to sleep. When I wake, I’m not sure what time it is. The only light comes from the candle burning low on a table by the door .

“I should have waited for morning,” a familiar male voice says.

Immediately alert, I sit up. Galinor sits at the end of my bed, studying me.

“You’re back,” I breathe.

He nods, his eyes on mine.

“And you’re alive,” I say needlessly.

Smiling, he scoffs. “I’ve come across much worse than Dimitri’s poor excuse for assassins.”

I don’t know what to say, so I turn my attention to my hands.

“Why are you here, Anwen?” Galinor asks, his voice not warm nor cold, only curious.

My heart twists in my chest.

“Dimitri said you were dead.” I search his eyes. “I didn’t believe him, but I had to know you were well.”

The bed shifts as he moves closer. “I’m not well.”

“You were hurt?” My eyes snap to his as I look him over for signs of injury.