A new day, a new life.
As he reached out for her and brought her hand to his lips again, kissing the ring once more, there was a knock on the chamber door.
The food had arrived.
Young William was carrying a large tray full of steaming bowls, bread, and creamy white butter. Behind him, a serving wench was carrying warmed wine and boiled fruit juice. Caiuswas impressed that the inn had remembered about Emelisse’s intolerance of alcohol.
Emelisse quickly cleared off the only table in the chamber which had the remains of last night’s meal. The serving wench took away the old bowls and the fresh food was put upon the tabletop. As William ushered the serving wench out of the chamber and shut the door behind her, Caius was about to take a seat and start grabbing for the food when he suddenly remembered his bad manners from the night before. Chagrined, he looked to Emelisse and politely indicated the most comfortable chair.
“Lady d’Avignon,” he said graciously. “Please sit and allow me to serve you.”
Emelisse, too, remembered Caius’ manners from the night before and she fought off a grin as she took the seat. The skirt of the eggshell-colored dress fanned out when she sat, giving her the appearance of a regal queen. Caius took a moment just to look at her, thinking that there was a thousand years’ difference between the woman he’d met on his first night at Winterhold and the woman before him.
He wanted to think that he had something to do with it.
Everything had changed, for both of them.
The three of them finally sat around the small table as Caius served his wife personally. There were small bowls of stewed fruit, porridge, and several little bowls of hollowed out bread that were filled with baked eggs and cheese. They were quite delicious, but Caius and William were only able to have one each because Emelisse decided that was her favorite dish.
Caius watched, amused, as William looked longingly at the egg dish as Emelisse devoured three of them. When she would reach for something that William was also reaching for, Caius would step on his foot under the table and the lad would yelp and retract his hand until the lady was finished. It seemed thatthe squire needed some lessons in manners also, and Caius was more than happy to deliver them.
But he was amused the entire time.
By the end of the meal, however, everyone had eaten their fill and were quite satisfied. The sun had risen and the melting snow from the storm two nights before was nearly gone. The streets were full of dirty slush and water, and both Caius and Emelisse stood by the window for a few stolen minutes, watching the streets below and discussing their intention to depart. At least, Caius was discussing his intention to depart and when Emelisse went to her satchel to prepare to leave, he stopped her.
“De Wolfe,” he said to the squire packing up his saddlebags. “Go and collect your horse and mine. I will meet you downstairs.”
William dropped what he was doing and fled as Emelisse looked at Caius with great concern.
“Why did you tell him to only collect your horse?” she asked. “I am coming with you.”
Caius put his hands on her arms, a gentle smile on his lips. “I have been thinking about this since last night,” he said. “I do not think it is wise to take you back to Hawkstone today, at least not until I can move The Marshal’s army there. That will take me at least a day and I would like for you to remain here, safe.”
Emelisse was shaking her head before the words were even out of his mouth. “I willnotstay behind,” she said firmly. “I will not let you face de Wrenville alone with what we have done. Let us face him together, to show him how strong we are.”
Caius squeezed her arms. “I understand your perspective, but I do not agree with it,” he said. “You must understand that he still has an army and in moving The Marshal’s troops to Hawkstone to defend it, I am violating a direct order from William Marshal. But I feel that it is necessary. I fear what will happen if de Wrenville discovers we have married. His angermay force him to do… impulsive things. I do not want you to be the target of his rage more than you already are. Let it be me.”
Emelisse knew that, more than most. This was the moment they were both anxious about– informing Covington that Emelisse was no longer an unmarried woman. Caius didn’t particularly care about Covington’s reaction towards him, but he did care about his reaction towards Emelisse. He was concerned that the man’s venom, and madness, would take flight.
Still… they would have to face it sooner or later.
“Caius, I know you are trying to protect me and I love you for it,” she said softly, “but I feel strongly that this is something we must face together. Let me return to Hawkstone with you, but I will stay locked up in the keep. When it is over, you can retrieve me. Please, Cai… I do not want to stay here, waiting and wondering what is going to happen. It is my right to face this situation with you.”
He was looking at her strangely. “Say it again.”
“Say what?”
“Tell me you love me.”
It was her turn to look at him strangely because she had no idea what he meant until her words came back to her.I know you are trying to protect me and I love you for it.
She’d just told the man she loved him.
Shocked that it had come out of her mouth so easily, she very nearly denied it. How was that even possible after only knowing him a few days? But somehow, in her heart, she knew it was true. There was so much about him to love, a sprout of a love that would grow into something strong and tall someday, like a sycamore tree.
Unbreakable.
A smile spread across her lips.
