“Sleeping beside another person is a surprisingly warm experience,” he says softly, and she smiles.
“I suppose it is.”
He rolls to his back, taking some of his warmth with him as he rubs the sleep from his emerald eyes. “What time is it?”
“I’m not sure. Eight, maybe?”
He bolts up. “We were supposed to leave at eight.”
“What?” she pushes herself to a sitting position beside him. “So soon?”
“It’s a long journey to Darlei.”
“Oh. I hope we haven’t caused an uproar. I doubt anyone would think to search for us here. Though I doubt they’d be eager to barge into our chambers the day after our wedding, either. Maybe they haven’t discovered our absence yet.”
He stares at her for a moment but doesn’t comment.
“Come on. My mother is probably wringing her hands as we speak. And I doubt we’ll be able to sneak through the castle this time.” She glances down at her wrinkled appearance. “I must look ridiculous.”
He tilts his head as his eyes sweep over her, but again, he says nothing.
“Right. I’ll take that as confirmation.” She sighs and starts rolling up the sleeves that came undone in the night.
“You don’t look ridiculous,” he says softly. “Though my clothes are far too big on you.”
When she looks at him, he’s trying to hold back a smile, and her own mouth twitches.
“Perhaps you would have preferred I wear the sheer nightgown.”
Stars above. Is she flirting with him? About lacy negligee?
He suddenly looks uncomfortable, and it’s impossible to miss the way a flush spreads all the way to the tips of his pointed ears.
“Was that part of your bridal wardrobe?” he asks, much to her shock.
Are they really talking about this?
“It may have been.”
“I think you would have needed another blanket or two.” He glances tentatively at her, and her smile grows.
“At least. Shall we try to sneak back to your room?”
“It’s too bad I don’t have fire and air magic. Then I could cloak us the way my father can.”
“Your father can cloak?”
Cerian nods. “It’s all a trick of air and light. Few elves can do it. The Lothlesi can, though.”
“The mountain fae? Like your sister-in-law?”
“Yes. Viala is a formidable magic wielder, though she’s still mastering her powers.”
Together, they stand and gather the dewy blankets, and Arisanna leads them back inside the astronomy tower. The lamp burned out sometime in the night, and Cerian grabs it before they begin their descent. He holds the light aloft, illuminating the stairs before her, and she glances back in surprise. When did he relight it?
Oh. He didn’t. It’s a magic light extending from his palm. That’s convenient. Why didn’t he say something last night? They could have left the lamp behind.
All too soon, they reach the bottom of the stairs, and Arisanna takes a deep breath before unbarring and pushing open the door. The corridor is empty. “Come on.”
