She told him a story about a brave knight no taller than a kitchen spoon, who saved a kingdom while armed only with a thimble and a very loud voice. Nathan contributed sound effects with glee.
Ava was halfway through the knight’s battle with a silly old goose when the Great Hall doors opened and a blast of cold air and snow rushed in.
“Da!” Nathan cried out upon seeing Caden.
He scrambled to his feet, the plaid dropping to the floor as he ran into Caden’s arms. Ava noticed her husband was not wearing his mask.
Caden stood in the doorway with the boy in his arms. He looked uncertain whether to step inside or retreat. He was not wearing any crazy clothes, no stable boy uniform or even one of Ava’s dresses. But his hair was loose, falling around his shoulders.
The usual tension was gone from his face, replaced by something akin to uncertainty.
“Da! Tellin’ crazy stories!” Nathan wiggled like a little worm.
“Good, because I have one to tell.” Caden smiled at him, then looked at Ava.
A mix of apprehension and vulnerability that she had never seen before flickered in his eyes.
“Silly Da! Need crazy clothes!” Nathan scolded.
“Oh, is that so, little master?” Caden drawled.
Nathan nodded. “Right, Ma?” He looked to Ava for support.
“Aye, Nathan is right.” Ava raised her eyebrows and shrugged her shoulders. “Ye must be wearin’ crazy clothes to tell a story.”
“Well then, Master Nathan, can ye help me find something?” Caden asked somberly.
Nathan wriggled out of his arms. “Aye! Kneel.”
Caden knelt before the boy, and Nathan took the paper crown off his head and put it on Caden’s. It was ridiculously small and sat lopsided. Then, Nathan ran over to pick up Finlay’s plaid and rushed back to drape it around Caden’s shoulders.
“There! Proper crazy!” Nathan sketched a silly little bow.
Caden smiled at him. “Thank ye, lad. May I tell me story now?”
“Aye!” Nathan jumped up and down, before running into his arms.
Ava realized this was the first time in weeks she had seen her husband smile genuinely.
He looked up at her and put on a solemn expression. “May we approach the lady of the castle? The Laird and his knight have a story to tell.”
Ava considered, examining his crazy clothes. “The lady finds ye worthy. Ye may approach.”
As Caden crossed the room and sat across from her, he did not break their stare. Ava felt as if she couldtrulysee him, and it was not because the mask was gone.
He pulled Nathan into his lap and let out a sigh. He was close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from him. She could smell the faint scent of snow and clean wool.
Wrapping his arms around Nathan, Caden stared into the fire for a long moment.
“This is a story,” he began slowly, “about a man who thought himself very wise.”
Nathan looked up, entranced by his voice.
“This man,” Caden continued, “believed that love was something earned only through duty. Through sacrifice. Through standing alone when necessary.”
Ava’s spine stiffened.
“He believed,” Caden said, his voice low, “that if he carried enough weight, nay one else would have to suffer.”
