Page 72 of Keeper of the Word

How curious. The stars had never shown that her path again crossed with Daved’s.

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

ELANNA

Three days passed before Prince Dashiell came to the Delara. During that time, Elanna had been practically nowhere else. No more rides. No more talks of frivolity.

She broke her fast in her chambers, spent most of the day alone in the Delara, dined in the Crown Hall with Joss and Barrett, and spent the evenings in the garden under the stars. Hux had spoken little to her, tailing her when it was his turn to be on duty, but kept mostly to himself. When she’d inquired about him following Dashiell, he’d waved her off, saying he needed more time before speaking on the matter. She knew she’d pained him by turning him away. He’d only been attempting to help. What did a Deogolian know of StarSeers and Delaras and…duty, apparently? When Hux was not with her, Elanna found herself wondering if he was somewhere in the castle lurking about, spying in corners and corridors, or—she caught herself picturing his dark eyes.

She had to concentrate. ’Twas as if the very air simmered around her. And the tension would soon boil over.

The stars had been little help. Nothing of the witch. Nothing of the prince. Nothing of Tolvar, how he fared or when he would return. No ravens had come with any message.

The heavy door of the Delara shut. Prince Dashiell ambled toward her like an outsider.

“I fear I may have exaggerated how long it had been since I stepped in here,” he said when he knelt beside her.

“You do not pray?”

“Of course I do, m’lady, but I generally save prayer for the solace of my rooms. My comings and goings are widely known. My window faces the north sky.”

It was then Elanna noticed the beads of sweat that freckled his forehead. His clasped hands quivered.

“Are you well, Your Highness?”

“Aye, of course. Why would you ask that? Princes are always well.”

Elanna was quiet for a moment. She was uncertain why they were here together, and she sensed this was to be her only chance for whatever this was. “I am seldom asked if I am well, either.”

Prince Dashiell’s youthful smile widened. “Then I shall ask. How are you, Lady Elanna?”

“Well. Well as I can be, I suppose. That is to say.”

Prince Dashiell chuckled. “That was resoundingly affirmative.”

“About as resounding as yours, Your Highness.”

He laughed again but sobered. “’Tis difficult to always place duty before our own well-being, is it not?”

The question took her off-guard. It reminded her of Hux. “I have given that little thought in the last decades, in truth. I exist for my duties.”

“Do you earnestly believe that?”

“Do you not? StarSeers are the stewardesses of the realm.”

“Aye. We are tethered together, your lot and mine.” Dashiell studied his clasped hands. “Are you bound to the confidence of others, m’lady? Do StarSeers hear confessions and keep them private?”

A drip of sweat landed on his hands.

“We hear many matters from those who would seek their fortune and must divulge matters they would keep to themselves. The stars do not bind StarSeers to any secrecy, Your Highness, butif you have some matter that presses on your mind and need a confidant, I would gladly be that person for you.”

The Delara became silent.

“M’lady, the truth is, I find I do need a confidant. There are inner workings here, new and changed—even before this betrothal business—that I find I cannot ignore. I find that I grow leery of trusting some…and some positions that I thought I could.”

Elanna remained patient.Please help me,she prayed to the veiled stars.Help me to help him.