‘Was it a good kiss though?’ Lyndal asked once Presley and Rose were out of earshot.
Eda leaned her head against the wall. ‘I thought my legs were going to give out.’
Lyndal’s mouth lifted. ‘Just a curious moment between friends, you say. It sounds like goodbye to the barmaid to me. And for the record, she has nothing on you.’
Eda met her eyes. ‘What are you talking about? She’s breathtaking.’
‘Youare breathtaking.’ Lyndal took her hand. ‘Inside and out.’
Eda looked down at her dress, the one she had spent two hours scrubbing grass stains from a week prior in order to avoid her mother’s wrath. ‘You’re just saying that because you’re my sister.’
‘It also happens to be the truth. You’re the best parts of every woman. Roul knows that. That’s why he’s been glued to your side for this past year.’
Eda blinked slowly. ‘I should go. We’re leaving at first light. I’ve much to do before then.’
Lyndal pulled Eda to her, holding tightly. ‘You will come back in one piece, won’t you?’
‘That’s the plan.’ Her eyes closed. ‘I’ll miss you.’
‘I’ll miss you too. Make sure you bring us back a king so this separation is worthwhile.’
Eda stepped back and placed a hand on her sister’s stomach. Bending, she whispered, ‘Take care of your mother until I return.’
CHAPTER18
Unsurprisingly, Eda did not sleep well that night. Her mind was busy and her body restless. When it was finally time to rise, she crept downstairs and stilled when she spotted her mother seated by the fireplace, sewing. She walked over to her, sinking down onto the floor and resting her chin on Candace’s warm skirt. ‘What are you doing up before me?’
Her mother gave her a triumphant smile. ‘Finishing these.’ Placing the needle between her lips, she held up a pair of trousers.
Frowning, Eda reached up and kneaded the expensive wool between her fingers. ‘They’re a bit small for Harlan, aren’t they?’
‘Yes.’ Candace returned the needle to her sewing box and gestured for Eda to stand. Then, rising, she held them to Eda’s waist. ‘However, they are perfect for you.’
Eda looked up. ‘You made these for me?’
‘I could not very well let you leave here dressed in your brother’s clothes. You are representing the family, after all.’ She turned to the pile of neatly folded garments sitting beside her sewing box. ‘Two shirts, two trousers, two tunics with flowers embroidered along the neckline—so Roul can tell you apart from the men.’
Eda’s throat thickened as she ran a finger over the white flowers. ‘They’re perfect.’ She threw her arms around her mother and whispered, ‘Thank you.’
A hand landed softly on her back. ‘You make sure you get back here safely and quickly, you hear me?’
Eda nodded. When she stepped back, she found Blake standing at the bottom of the stairs with Luella on her hip.
‘We heard horses out front,’ Blake said. ‘Harlan’s gone to saddle yours.’
Excitement and nerves churned in Eda’s stomach as she flew up the stairs, kissing her sister’s cheek as she passed. She had a quick wash, brushed her teeth, and braided her hair. Tugging off her nightdress, she put on her new clothes, the boots Queen Fayre had given her, strapped on as many weapons as she could comfortably wear, then swung her cloak around her. Everything else went into the canvas bag alongside the new dresses.
Eda walked over to the tall mirror that stood in the corner of the room, turning in a slow circle before it. The clothes fit perfectly. She had never felt more ready for anything in her life. She wondered if Queen Artemisia of Halicarnassus had felt this good before riding into battle. Snatching up her bag, she ran downstairs.
Out front, Candace and Blake stood to one side. Luella was seated on Eda’s gelding, bouncing up and down in the saddle while Harlan kept a firm hold of her leg. Garlic sat on the rump of the horse, preening her feathers and looking far too comfortable.
Eda glanced past them to the six waiting horses, five carrying defenders and one loaded with supplies. One of the men dismounted and came forwards to take her bag. It took her a moment to realise who it was—Hadewaye.
‘Morning,’ he said, winking as he took her bag.
Her eyes returned to the other men, and she saw then that the group was made up of Roul, Alveye, Tatum, and Blackmane. ‘Youalldrew the short straw?’
‘Commander Thornton’s idea,’ Hadewaye said. ‘We all agreed.’
