“Book?” Thalia looked at her friend, a moment needed to remember what she was speaking of. “Oh! The book.”
“No matter,” Octavia assured her eagerly. “I will think of another one. Assuming you are in no rush?” She looked hopeful, as if the mere idea of Thalia having to leave might just break her heart.
Thalia smiled and took her friend by the hand. “I have all day, Octavia. All day.”
And she did have that too. No matter how much she wished that someone might miss her.
Chapter Seventeen
There was an irony to be found in the current circumstance, Thalia was certain. And was it not for the fact that she did not want to push her luck, she might have raised it with Caspian. Even one as typically devoid of humor as him could surely see the funny side of what was happening. Or rather, how it was happening.
I might have to write to Lord Donmere when I have the time and thank him, which will only have the effect of angering him further. Which might just work to help my own cause.
Thalia tittered to herself as she considered the circumstances, just as she tittered to picture Lord Donmere’s face should he ever learn how vital he had become in helping her marriage find sound footing.
Indeed, it was thanks to the hostile lord that the last few days had seen Thalia and Caspian find their way back to how thingshad been before they slept with one another, while in some ways they had managed to transcend even that short period.
Things were not perfect. There was still much tension between them. But they were getting better, and as things stood, that was the most that Thalia could hope for.
“Thank you for inviting me today.” Thalia was sitting across from Caspian in the carriage, and she fought the urge to sit beside him because she sensed now was not the time.
“It is quite fine,” Caspian said. “Ironvale insisted that you come.”
“Oh…”
“That is not to say I do not want you here,” Caspian made sure to add, no doubt noticing the way that Thalia reacted. “I am glad that you are here, is my point.”
Thalia smiled. “Noted.”
Caspian offered a half-smile in return, which was the most she could expect to get out of him. That he had noticed her reaction, and that he had sought to correct himself, was huge in her eyes.
Day by day… step by step… the path is the right one, and all we need to do is walk it.
“Lord Ironvale did not give you the specifics?” Thalia followed up, wishing to keep the conversation flowing.
“He did not,” Caspian sighed. He was looking out the window of the carriage, but he glanced at her across from him. “I think he wishes to see me in person, before he does.”
“For the best, I think,” Thalia agreed. “It will save you the possibility of miscommunication. And it will keep Lord Ironvale from exaggeration… as he is want to do,” she chuckled.
“Agreed,” Caspian said with a firm nod. “I do not doubt the severity of his claims, but I wish to hear them from him in person. Then, we can decide what to do about it.”
“We?”
“Yes, we,” Caspian said. “Our marriage is being attacked, Thalia. And if we are to beat this thing, we will need to do so together. It is the only way.”
He said the words with simplicity, as if his declaration was the most obvious thing in the world and there was no need to overthink why he had said it. To Thalia, however, the declaration was huge. He could have very well done this on his own, and they both knew it. But he wanted her there, and there could only be one reason…
Despite her best efforts, Thalia found her gaze wandering across her husband’s frame. She lingered on his thighs, on his hands,and on his lips. She cast her mind back to the previous week, when they had first slept together, and her body grew flushed at the thought.
Since that night, Caspian had not once mentioned sleeping together again. That surprised her, as she knew that he meant to. She could only wonderwhyhe had not done so yet. Was he nervous? Was he waiting for the perfect chance? Was she simply overthinking it? Thalia could not say.
What shecouldsay was that she wanted it again. More than that, she sensed that her husband was of the same mind… he just needed a push.
“Here we are.” Caspian straightened as the carriage came to a stop. “I suspect this won’t take too long.”
“Oh, it’s no problem,” she said. “I have all day.”
Surprisingly, he laughed at the comment. Not loudly, or with great conviction. But it was a soft chuckle, which Thalia had noticed he was doing more now. It sounded a little forced to her ears, but that did not bother her. That he thought to do it at all, likely to show her that he was listening, meant the world.
