If Mother weren’t standing there watching them, that is.
Forget Mother. If Cerian’s trying to adjust to her family and her customs, she can do the same. Lifting onto her toes, she brushes his smooth cheek with her lips. It’s not much of a kiss, but for a moment, those walls of his fall away as he gazes down at her.
Neither of them speaks, but it feels as if they do. Perhaps they’ll learn to communicate without words with time.
When Arisanna turns back to her parents, Mother seems far more interested in the painting on the wall than she’s ever been in a landscape before.
She’s trying, too.
“We’ll join you in a few minutes,” Arisanna says softly, and Father nods.
“We’ll wait out here. Rominy and Elowyn were still sleeping when we checked, but Tharios is there if you want to talk to him.”
Just Tharios? Perhaps everyone else is still asleep.
Arisanna follows Cerian past Father’s guards before slipping into Elowyn’s room, and Tharios turns when he sees them.
“You retired early last night. Sleep well?” Tharios lifts his lips in that teasing grin he’s mastered so well, and Arisanna tries not to blush.
“You’re just jealous we got the honeymoon suite,” Cerian mutters, and Arisanna looks at him in shock.
Tharios seems surprised, too, but it quickly passes, and his grin returns.
“Well, that sounds amazing. No wonder you keep disappearing.”
It’s no use. Her face is flaming now.
“Where is everyone?” Cerian asks, changing the subject, much to Arisanna’s relief.
Tharios’s expression grows serious. “Grandmera was here most of the night. She’s resting now. And Viala is taking a shower. We really need showers in Lostariel.”
Arisanna won’t argue with that.
“And Mother and Father?” Cerian asks.
Tharios sighs and rubs his brow. “I forgot you missed that conversation last night.”
“What conversation last night?” Cerian’s hold tightens on Arisanna’s hand again.
“It’s Mother’s life magic. It’s not recovering properly, and if she’s not careful, it may never reach its full strength again. She’s resting and will be for a few days if I have any say in it, and Father is helping her.”
Cerian pales, and Tharios steps toward him, gripping his shoulders.
“Everything will be all right, Cer. Mother is strong. She’ll pull through this.”
“But she might lose some of her magic?”
“I don’t know. But I will do everything within my power to ensure that doesn’t happen. Mother doesn’t wish for you to worry, and neither do I. All right?”
Cerian breathes out slowly and nods.
“And I know I’m not Father,” Tharios continues, “but I’m here if you need me.”
“Thank you,” Arisanna says when Cerian doesn’t respond. What is he thinking now?
He turns toward the bed. “How is Elowyn?”
“Tired, it seems, but I expect they’ll wake soon. It’s just a normal sleep this time.”
