They had meant everything.
“You flatter me, my lord,” she finally said, lowering her lashes. “I do not know what to say.”
“Say that you are pleased with this betrothal.”
She lifted her gaze. “I am very pleased,” she said. “Do you not know that?”
Roi’s gaze never left her face as he held out the bow for someone to take from him. When Pryce reached out to grasp it, fully aware that Roi couldn’t take his eyes of Diara, Roi simply held out an elbow to her.
“Walk with me,” he said quietly.
Diara latched on to his arm with both hands, and the two of them headed off toward the center of the bailey, where they could have some privacy. At this time of day, it was the least crowded part of the yard. Leaving Pryce and Iris to pick up the bows and arrows from their game, they wandered in the direction of the kitchen yard. Diara clung to Roi’s big arm, feeling the strength and firmness beneath her grip. On the wall overhead, she could see Mathis near the gatehouse, watching them.
She knew why.
Truthfully, she was surprised he hadn’t tried to interfere over the past couple of days. Mathis had been offering for her hand since before she went away to foster, but her father had turned him down repeatedly. Mathis was a friend and nothing more in her eyes, and he knew it, which made the situation worse for him. Diara could only imagine how difficult it must be for the man to watch her show affection to someone else, and there had been times in the past when he’d deterred or otherwise intimidated suitors that had come to call. But not with Roi; Mathis knew he couldn’t get away with anything. The man would probably squash him like a bug.
But she wondered if Roi had sensed anything from the quiet, moody knight.
“Well?” she finally said. “Where shall we have the crowning ceremony?”
He looked at her. “What crowning ceremony?”
“Because I am the Queen of the Archers.”
He chuckled. “I see,” he said. “I suppose we can do it in the hall tonight. I will put you on a table and insist all worship at your feet.”
“Including you?”
“Especially me.”
Diara broke down into soft laughter, indicating she wasn’t at all serious about the crowning. Well, not really. But it was fun to tease him.
“May I ask you a question, Roi?” she said.
“You do not have to ask permission to ask a question,” he said. “Simply ask me. I will answer if I can.”
“How long are you going to remain at Cicadia?” she asked. “And when you leave, will I go with you?”
Roi nodded. “Your father wishes for us to be married right away,” he said. “Did he tell you that?”
Diara shrugged. “My mother has,” she said. “Have you agreed?”
He glanced at her. “That is your decision.”
“Why is it my decision?”
“Because I want to make sure this betrothal is agreeable to you,” he said. “Why do you think I have been here for two days? I wanted us to come to know one another a little. I want us to be certain.”
She came to a stop and looked at him. “I told you that I was certain the first night you were here,” she said. “But if you feel you need more time to make your decision, then I will go along with whatever you wish.”
He looked at her, his eyes glimmering. “And I told you that I was also agreeable on that first night,” she said. “That has not changed.”
“Then why do you feel we must wait?”
“I simply want to make sure you’ve not changed your mind.”
“I haven’t. Have you?”
