“Aw, but you resemble a corsair,”I replied.
“Am I a pirate, or a bear?” Quinn asked, placing his hands on his hips. “I do not believe I can be both, but if you ever hear otherwise, do let me know. I would love to see that.”
His eyes shifted behind me. I knew then someone was approaching, and without so much as a glance, I could perfectly identify their presence. I turned around and was glad of that sixth sense, as my parents looked absolutely nothing like the people I had left behind.
Both of them had put on weight since they returned to society. They were dressed in clothes provided by the palace, their hair styled back and out of the way. Were it not for their smiles and that familiar gait, I might have remained seated.
“Alana!” my mother shouted, hugging me quickly before pulling back to regard the spring attire. “My, you’ve gotten pale! And what on earth are you wearing? Have you lost your sense of modesty?”
I started to sign in response, but my parents stared like I was fidgeting, so I put my hands down and cleared my throat to whisper. “Altaignian fashions.” I smiled tightly at Mother, then turned to my father, who might not have cared if I’d run up naked for all the joy he felt. He lifted me into the air.
“My sweet girl!” he shouted, unaware of his volume. Quinn snickered from afar. “It’s so good to see you!”
As he set me down, I patted his arm. There were many secrets I’d kept from my parents—why burden them with what they could not help?—but I could tell they were worried anyway, if not by the frets expressed in their letters, then by the lines that had grown under their eyes.
“How have you fared?” I asked.
Mother tried to hide how easy life had been without the constant need to protect me. She asked, in turn, how I had handled myselfsince their departure, and whether the prince had taken advantage of me or been uncomely at all in the face of the curse.
I tried not to show my offense, and omitted my own share of details. We had an unspoken, mutual understanding that so long as we were surviving, there was no need to overindulge in the truth. Then I turned to Quinn, motioning for him to join us. As he did, my father’s expression soured; here was the man who had threatened his daughter, and he had the audacity to smile and bow as though none of it had happened.
“Quinn, these are my parents,”I signed, their focus returning to my hands. I spelled out their names.“Logan and Petra Chastain.”
“A pleasure to formally meet you both,” Quinn replied. He spoke slowly so that Father could read his lips, but the man stared through him as if he were only a specter.
“What is that dance?” asked Mother.
“Sign language,” Quinn replied. “Many of us have learned it to communicate with Alana. It’s proven quite useful. I should see that Sahra Doonle offers an introductory course for you, since Master Logan cannot hear.”
My mother’s lips parted, her eyes shifting between his in disbelief. “You have truly done such a kindness for my daughter’s sake?”
But she is no one, from nowhere and of nothing,she meant.
Quinn smiled with all the charm he could possibly muster. “I would do many things for the princess.” Then, hesitantly, he added: “We all would.”
Another familiar face joined us in the courtyard as Winnie hurried out from the main entrance, barking a swift greeting to my parents before taking my side with a lowered head. Today was the first time in weeks that she wasn’t dressed in black. Her hand rested on my back, her voice a whisper as she guided me away.
“Sorry I’m late,” Winnie apologized.
“I hadn’t anticipated your return to your duties,” I said. “Not yet, I mean.”
“It is high time. I cannot leave you to the wolves.”
She paused to smile politely at my parents. We walked a little farther, keeping our voices low.
“The handmaidens have offered to educate your parents on courtroom etiquette over the next few days, so as toavoid any embarrassing mishaps. You will also require some educating on the ceremony itself, some matters of religion and social customs we have not yet covered.” She took a breath. Her briskness had returned in full force, and I was glad to see it. “A number of foreign dignitaries and noblemen have trickled in here and at Caermont. They’ll expect greetings. Many of them will be trying their damnedest to incur favor. Keep on your toes, and remember me when you’re the queen, eh?”
She playfully elbowed my ribs.
“What becomes of you after the wedding?” I asked, rubbing the area she’d prodded.
“Well, I shall either remain your lady-in-waiting, or you may retire me to gossip with the other ladies.”
I smirked. “You’ll not skirt your duties so easily, I’m afraid.”
“Damnation.” Winnie grinned back.
We went to the edge of the daffodils. I turned. “Will people be bothered when I cannot speak with them?”
