I might not know how to navigate myowncourtship, but I’m not a complete and total fool.
“Forgiveme,” I say to Alice. “I’ve ruined your game.”
“Oh! No. We were just about finished.” She pulls back another step, and her eyes flick to Thorin rather desperately, but he doesn’tmove. Her blush seems to deepen, and she tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. “I—I should go home. It’s very late.”
“Itisvery late,” I agree. “Should Thorin accompany you?”
Thorin’s eyes snap to mine. “Your Majesty,” he hisses, “I cannot—”
“No!” Alice says quickly. “No, I’m fine.” She darts into the darkness.
“Go after her,” I whisper to Thorin.
He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.
Her voice calls back to us musically. “I’ll try to bring you an extra apple biscuit at breakfast.”
“Do you think she’s talking to me or to you?” I say to him.
He sets his jaw and stares back at me.
“At the very least saythank you,” I add.
“Thank you!” he calls back in a shouted whisper.
“You’re welcome!” her musical voice calls back. “Good night, Wolf.”
My eyebrows go up. “Wolf?”
Thorin gives a ragged sigh and stoops to pick up the fallen cards—but he doesn’t explain.
I tug my boots onto my feet, but I skip lacing them and move to help. Thorin glances up in surprise.
“What were you playing?” I say, holding out the cards I’ve gathered. “I’ll join you.”
He takes the cards, straightening them in his hands, looking at me like this is a trap.
I sigh and run a hand over the back of my neck. “Lord, I really am a boorish employer.”
He frowns like he couldn’t possibly have heard me correctly. “What was that?”
“Nothing. Sit.” Without waiting for him, I drop to sit against the post.
After a moment, he does the same. He slides the cards together between his hands and stares out at the night. He hasn’t answered my question about the game, and now I sense I’ve made him truly uncomfortable, so I don’t ask again. I’m beginning to regret coming out here, ruining his diversion. He’s not riding the edge of exhaustion like he was the last time we spoke, but I still remember the desperation and shame in his voice.I haven’t done much good lately anyway.
I wonder if he feels like this is a failure, too. Like I’ve caught him slacking in his duties.
With a start, I wonder if my gentle ribbing felt like something entirely different. Like mockery. Like reproach.
“I truly did not mean to interrupt your game,” I say.
“I swear to you, I was keeping watch the entire time—”
“Thorin, I know. I’m glad you had some company. I didn’t mean to replace her.” I look up at the stars, inhaling the cool night air, wondering if my lungs will catch and I’ll start coughing.
I don’t.
He’s studying me somewhat dubiously, so I glance over. “Deal your cards, Ben.”
