Eda stared out of the window and let the words blow past her. She had no interest in his agenda. He could say and ask for whatever he wanted.
Eda focused on the landmarks they passed, each one bringing up a memory of Roul. He was everywhere. In every form. Serious Roul. Silent and broody Roul. Disapproving Roul. Grinning Roul. That image hit the hardest. Oh, how she loved to make him smile.
‘If you have any questions, ask them now,’ Thomas asked as the carriage rolled to a stop out front of Eldon Castle.
She shook her head. ‘No questions.’
A servant led them inside, along the familiar corridors Eda had grown to resent during the time she spent there. Unsurprisingly, Queen Fayre was on the terrace, her favourite place. It was still a beautiful space with its trellis walkways and arbours, neatly trimmed hedges and colourful plants. There was one difference though. The birds that had once hung in cages along the wall were now gone. Some merchants had claimed seeing colourful birds the size of eagles flying free in the sky. The thought warmed Eda.
Queen Fayre was playing chess with a lady companion. When they were announced, she dismissed her opponent.
‘Your Majesty,’ Thomas said, bowing. ‘Thank you for the invitation.’
Eda curtsied. ‘Your Majesty.’
‘It was rather a long wait for you to get here,’ Fayre said. ‘However, Commander Wright tells me Ms Suttone has been recovering from the journey.’ She focused on Eda. ‘My son speaks very highly of you, of your bravery and level head.’
‘That’s the first time anyone has described me as having a level head. I must remember to thank him.’
Queen Fayre’s eyes shone with amusement. ‘So, young lady, you wanted to see what was on the other side of the wall. What did you discover?’
It was a good question. ‘That there’s suffering on both sides. There’s no escaping this famine.’
Thomas’s face fell slightly. ‘What my niece means is—’
‘I know what she means, Lord Thomas. I do not require a translator, thank you.’ Her eyes returned to Eda. ‘Well, I am pleased that everyone made it home safely.’ She paused. ‘You have likely heard that Commander Thornton has returned home to his family, a gesture of the prince’s appreciation.’
So that was the narrative they were going with. ‘I am aware of the fact, yes.’
Queen Fayre folded her hands in her lap. ‘I would like to express my appreciation to you also. The mission was your idea, and you brought me my son. So how can I repay you?’
Thomas cleared his throat. ‘If I may—’
‘In a moment. The question is for your niece, who risked her life and fought bravely on your behalf.’
It was the first time Eda had come close to smiling since Roul’s departure. This was the moment she was supposed to rattle off the list of requests her uncle had briefed her on during their journey. ‘I would really like to see Commander Thornton again. Perhaps you could personally invite him back.’
Queen Fayre lifted her chin. ‘I think Thornton will be keen to spend time with his family after being away from them for so long.’
Eda ignored the warning in her uncle’s eyes. ‘When he tires of them, then.’
Fayre looked down at her lap. ‘I understand the two of you are friends. You must miss him.’
Eda swallowed. ‘Very much.’
A knowing look came over the queen. ‘Perhaps you are also in love with him.’
The way she said it made it sound so small and insignificant when in fact the love she felt for Roul paced inside her like a wild beast.
‘A young girl’s infatuation,’ Thomas said.
Eda pressed her eyes shut.
‘Whatever feelings my niece has for the commander must be put aside as we ready her for marriage,’ Thomas continued.
Eda bit her tongue.
Fayre stifled a sigh. ‘It sounds as though you have a request, Lord Thomas. Go on.’
