“I’ll escort you, sir,” a Norrlen guard volunteered.
He quickly made for the door with the elf, and Keena followed.
“I’ll go with them too, in case he decides to murder Von,” Lucenna said, but her expression shifted to worry as she looked her over. “All right? You look a little pale.”
She sighed. “I need to replace my herbs to make Azeran’s tea, but the prices here are…”
“Past our means?” Lucenna muttered as she stood. “I noticed. I’m out of herbs, too. There may be more reasonable shops further in the market. I will ask around.”
Trying not to grimace, Dyna pressed on the tension gathering on her forehead. She wasn’t sure what annoyed her more. Her lack of funds, or her growing headache from lack of Essence.
Lucenna glanced past her shoulder with a sly smirk and added under her breath, “Though I doubt you would have trouble finding a wealthy admirer or two who would gladly acquire whatever your heart desires.”
Dyna glowered at her. The sorceress winked and hurried on to catch up to Klyde.
There was no need to look. She more than sensed gazes of Raiden and Cassiel. A pretend suitor and a former husband who glared daggers at each other. It was beginning to become rather tiresome.
Glancing up, Dyna met Aerina’s amused smile. She must have heard that. A blush washed through Dyna’s face, and she inwardly groaned.
“Your lodging is secure upstairs, princess,” Camsen said as he approached with his men. “The King has sent word that a carriage will arrive on the morrow. Shall we escort you to your room to rest?”
Aerina’s brow furrowed slightly, the only sign of displeasure. She was anxious to reach Avandia, and so was Dyna.
“I think I would like to go for a stroll through the market.” Aerina rose from her seat with graceful ease. The streams of her pale blue dress fluttered around her. “Lady Dyna, would you please join me? I wish to visit the apothecary, and I could use your expertise.”
Dyna stood. “Oh, of course, Your Grace.”
“Why? What’s wrong?” Raiden quickly came to his mother’s side.
“Are you feeling ill?” Eldred asked next.
Camsen said in alarm, “I will send for the royal Herb Master at once.”
“It’s nothing at all to fuss about.” Lady Aerina waved them off and took Dyna’s arm. “If you must know, I am in my season.”
The men all turned pink and suddenly looked uncomfortable. They all seemed to understand what that meant, but it left Dyna confused.
“Would you be so kind as to allow me some privacy, please? It’s a lady’s business, after all.”
Raiden cleared his throat. “Right, of course.”
The market was at the center of the city. Elves watched curiously, and they passed by with a trail of Rangers and Valkyrie following at a distance.
“Season, Your Grace?” Dyna asked.
Aerina masked a giggle behind her hand. “To be in one’s season refers to a female’s fertile year, much like the mating season in spring. It comes every ten years and requires a special tonic to ease one’s … urges. A delicate subject the males are not prone to discuss.”
Dyna flushed and smiled. “Oh, I see.”
“Apologies. This way we can speak at leisure without the others listening. How are you, Lady Dyna?”
“Me?”
“You seem troubled and weary. I couldn’t help but notice the shadows under your eyes. Though you do appear more rested today.”
Dyna ducked her head. “I have difficulty sleeping, Your Grace. Nightmares, as it were. But I did manage to find some rest last night.”
She tried not to think about sleeping in Cassiel’s arms, but the memory hovered in the back of her mind like a swarm of bees. She had woken to his scent embedded in the sheets and her clothes, but he was gone with the dawn.
