“Thank you.”
With a nod, he took the other seat.
Lord Briscalar placed napkins on our laps and lifted the silver domes covering platters with a flourish. “Enjoy.” He hurried to the cabin and took the stairs to the bottom.
“He thinks we’re starving,” Merrick said with a sparkle in his eyes that caught my breath and wouldn’t release it. “I hope you’re hungry.”
Not like I would be if I’d spent the morning training, something I’d done almost every day of my life from the time I could heft a wooden sword back at the fortress. I’d do my best with the pastries, coddled eggs, and strips of crispy rusher, however.
Merrick served me some of everything, loading my plate more than I would’ve myself. I hadn’t been trained in ladylike behavior, but I’d seen how Tempest’s aunt took care with her silverware and how delicately she ate, and I emulated her when I could. I hadn’t grown up fancy, but that didn’t mean I wanted to stick out like a rough and tumble former dragon trainer.
After he’d served himself, Merrick lifted his mug of tea my way. “To us.”
I clinked mine against his. “To us.”
For the first time since I’d agreed to this arrangement, a spark of hope trickled through my heart. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad being married to Merrick.
“You asked about growing up in the fortress,” I said after I’d eaten part of one breekberry tart and lowered the rest onto my plate. “I don’t know how much you’re familiar with what happened in my part of the world.”
“More than you’d expect. We all have spies.”
I wasn’t surprised.
“Mine kept me informed of how the king was draining power from those you called the Nullens, how he wanted to use that power to control not only his share of the world but beyond. That’s why I agreed to the truce with Lydel and Riftflame Courts. I couldn’t allow his rampage to continue, and I was glad to help where I could.”
“Your forces made the difference. Thank you.” I sipped my tea, placing my cup carefully back on the table.
“Lydel’s High Lady’s thanks were enough, but I appreciate you saying that. I feel well compensated already.”
After all, he did get something from the deal—me.
“I rode in the battle,” I said. “On a dragon.”
“I’m not surprised.” A smile teased across his lips.
“Why?”
“Dragons are . . .” He frowned and for a moment, his gaze went . . . blank, though I had to be mistaken. “Dragons are quite protective.”
“They can be, though they’re just as apt to bite as breathe fire on someone trying to hurt you. But why weren’t you surprised?”
“I knew you were a warrior the moment I brought up the wave to give shelter from the sun. You reached for a blade at your hip that wasn’t there. Lorant told me you tried to poke him with a sword.”
“One I’ll point out he has not yet returned. He deserved to be poked. He was being an ass. I thought adding a hole might let some of his ass-ness escape.”
Merrick’s laughter burst out, and I gaped at him, stunned byhow handsome he was.
To think this guy could be mine.
I chastised myself—again—but my mental slaps didn’t appear to be taking. Would it be horrible to find even a tiny bit of happiness with the man I called husband?
My throat closed off, but I swallowed, making my sadness go down. I’d want Kinart to find a new love if I was the one who’d died.
Applying that belief to myself wasn’t easy. It hurt. Way too much. But the hurt was fading. No, not exactly fading but softening. Memories that used to swim in the center had drifted to the edges of my mind. I worried they’d soon slip over the side and disappear from view.
“You’re sad.” His laughter faded. “I’m sorry for whatever I’ve done or said to make you feel that way.”
“I loved someone else, but he’s dead.” My eyes tightened, but tears didn’t rise. Maybe I’d cried them all out and there were no more left to give.
