I sat up, blinking away the haze clinging to my mind. Pale light filtered through the porthole window, staining the floor wherever it touched. My eyes burned, the last of the night's emotional storm pinching the corners.
Farris groaned but lifted his head from where he lay curled up beside me, his eyes fixing on mine as if he was trying to figure out why we were getting up early. I pressed a kiss on the top of his head and slipped out of the bed. After running myfingers through my tangled hair, I approached the sitting room door and unlocked it, stepping back as I swung it inward.
Lord Briscalar bustled inside carrying a tray, his eyes snagging on my leather-clad form the moment he crossed the threshold. A practiced mask of diplomacy settled across his face, the twitch of his lips telling me he wasn’t thrilled with my bedwear choices.
“My lady.” He placed the tray on the table and turned. “Still in yesterday’s attire, I see.”
“I like this outfit.”
“And I would like to cleanse it.”
“I’ll take it off later.”
“Delightful.” He waved to the tray. “Sit, please, and we can discuss your activities for the day.”
Such as sitting in the bedroom? Staring out at the sea? Strolling on the deck in a lovely gown?
Oh, I know. Grinning ferally as I created new scars on the back of my bedroom door. I had a feeling that wasn’t one of the activities Lord Briscalar had in mind.
I dropped down into the chair and contemplated the fancy tray. “What are your thoughts?”
He let out a brief, satisfied gust of air. “I believe a gown will suit the occasion.”
“What occasion?”
“Visiting with the king, of course.” He sounded affronted that the thought wasn’t in the forefront of my mind. “The king has been . . . How shall we say? Eager to be with you again. I couldn’t help noticing how well you two appeared to be getting along. I’m sure he’d like to further your relationship during ourjourney. Then, when we arrive at Evergorne, you can settle into your new role by his side with complete confidence.”
I wasn’t sure my confidence would ever be complete, let alone boosted by chatting with the king, but Lord Briscalar had a point. Merrick might be my only ally at Evergorne, if the other courts I’d visited, excluding Lydel, were anything to go by.
The lord tilted his head in that gentle, questioning way, waiting for me to respond.
“That sounds . . . intriguing,” I said, unsure when I wanted to face Merrick again.
“Delightful.” The word came out with a whoosh, and as my reward, he lifted the cover off the tray, revealing the food I’d requested when I first boarded the ship.
While I ate, he puttered around the room, straightening this and that, though most things were bolted down to keep them from becoming lethal objects if we traveled through a storm.
“Shall I draw you a bath, my lady?” he asked, and at my nod, he scurried to the bathroom. The gush of water soon rang out.
Farris sat patiently beside me, watching me take each bite.
I fed him a piece of rusher, and he gobbled it up as Lord Briscalar returned to the room.
“Oh, my.” He frowned at the nyxin. “And here I’ve magicked a delightful meal for your pet in the bathing area. Perhaps he’d prefer that?”
If he was like me, he’d rather eat rusher, but I urged Farris to go with the lord, and he did so after sending one longing glance at my plate.
Finished, I sat back to sip my tea, staring out the porthole beside me, though there wasn’t much to see but water, morewater, and still more water. At least the sun shone, and it didn’t appear windy.
“I’ve selected another of the gowns the king crafted for you,” he said, returning to the sitting area. “It’s hanging in the bathing area, and if I do say so myself, it’s quite delightful. You’ll be dressed in the height of fashion, and I know the king will be unable to drag his eyes away.”
“Thank you.” I placed my empty tea cup on the table.
A pleased smile touched Lord Briscalar’s lips as he scanned the tray. “Finished?”
“I’m stuffed. Thank you for the . . .delightfulmeal.”
His cheeks darkened. “It’s always a pleasure to serve you, my lady. I’ll give you time to bathe, and then, if you’ll allow me after you’ve donned the vision of a gown, I’d love to arrange your hair.”
