Later, when we finally crawled into bed, she couldn’t sleep. So I told her a story I remembered from my youth. One that my granny used to tell. I just kept talking until she finally fell asleep. As soon as her breathing changed, I lay beside her, wishing for the relief of sleep but knowing this was the cost of immortality. The curse of it. To never die, to never rest.
My thoughts turned to whom I would ask to accompany me to the capital and whom I should leave behind to help Tyson. For whatever reason, Imogen’s face appeared in my mind.
What was I going to do about the old Witch of the Tide? Should I tell Tyson, and risk exposing her further? Or should I allow her to live undisturbed under the castle?
I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath, remembering what Natalia had said about not trusting Tyson’s story. I decided that my nephew didn’t need to know about the seer that lived below the castle. The fewer who knew, the better.
Claire stirred, and I set my hand on her waist and pressed a kiss into her hair. Savoring these last few moments inside the castle that made me into the man I was today.
Chapter 50
Quiétude
CLAIRE
Tiny snowflakes swirled in the crisp evening air, catching on tree branches and blanketing the world in a powdery white. It was quiet. And still. Just how I liked it. I didn’t know how many more moments like this we would have. Not where we were headed.
I leaned my head against Bastien’s shoulder, sighing contentedly as we made our way up the hill. Normally, he would be riding with the guard. But today, he decided to ride in the carriage with me. One arm wrapped around my shoulders, the other splayed protectively over my stomach. I didn’t know how to tell him what it meant to me. To have this. To have him.
The coach lurched to a stop, and I pulled back the curtains, excited to see a familiar sod roof and little chimney puffing smoke. When the door was opened, the scent of pine and burning wood drifted in. I took a deep breath, letting the familiar smell wrap around me, the memory of our last visit filling my chest with a bittersweet ache.
Bastien’s fingers stretched into my hair, and he pulled me into a kiss. “Are you ready?” he asked against my mouth.
I nodded excitedly. This was the reunion I’d been waiting a long time for. Bastien exited the coach first, then held out a hand for me, ready to help me down the stairs.
A gust of wind lashed at my face as I slid my gloved hand into his. Snowflakes were already tangling in his hair, his pale blue eyes bright against the winter landscape. Months ago, I would’ve shivered. But now, lit from within by my own fire, I barely felt the chill. That didn’t stop Bastien from settling a thick cloak around my shoulders and pulling me against him.
A sign that read, “ToothandHare”greeted us. Along with a short witch. Her apron was dirty, and her red hair was pinned in a messy bun atop her head. I was sure she made plenty of jokes about the girl who threatened her with a fire poker. But that was fine by me. Her kindness had confronted my worldview and was one of the sparks that changed my life.
“Rabbit stew for your companions, and thick red wine for you, Your Grace!” Shreesa held the door while we stomped our snowy boots on the mat. “I heard a rumor that they’re making you the High Prince?” she exclaimed, patting the side of Bastien’s face like he was just a little boy.
He offered her a smile even though I knew he was not happy about his new role and likely wished she hadn’t brought it up. “I want to know where you heard this horrible rumor.”
She laughed and closed the door behind us like we were old friends. The heat from the fire and the aroma of hearty stew were inviting.
“Stay as long as you like, Your Grace.” Shreesa glanced at me and offered me a friendly smile. “And who is this lovely young woman? Your new wife?”
My throat closed, and speech became too much. Bastien spoke for me. “Yes. This is the Lady Claire Allard.”
“Well, isn’t that wonderful?” She admired my red hair. “And a Witch of the Darkness no less. What an honor to have you here, m’lady. Please, take a seat. I’ll get your supper.”
She gestured to the long trestle tables while she disappeared into the kitchen, and I took a seat on the bench, feeling empty. After working this moment up in my head, I’d expected more. I swore she’d at least remember my face.
The door opened, and our traveling companions streamed inside. Tansy. Sir Gavin. Mellie. The sixteen-year-old girl we’d found in the caverns. We were taking her to the capital as our ward after a long conversation with Tansy. I hoped coming to Shreesa’s was a good first step on her journey to expand her understanding of the world. She, however, wanted nothing to do with Bastien or me. She purposefully chose a seat at the other end of the tavern.
“Destinee is on Mellie watch,” Bastien explained as the former commander of Bastien’s cavalry took the seat across from the girl. “She won’t be getting into any trouble while we’re here.”
The rest of our riders followed after them. Our guard and the loyal attendants Bastien had asked to accompany him to the capital.
A trencher of steaming hot stew was placed in front of me, and I drew in a giant breath of it. “This is exactly what I’ve been craving,” I told Bastien, picking up my fork and spearing a carrot. “No one makes stew like Shreesa.” He watched me eat with mild amusement. “What?”
“It’s just good to see you eating again. For a while, I was worried.”
For the last two weeks, food had not agreed with me. And because of my weakened state, Bastien had gone on his own hunger strike. But now, I couldn’t seem to stop eating. Something in him had shifted as well.
“Later?” he asked. Brows inclined. One word and I was nearly ready to set down my fork.
My body still rode on the edge of desire, especially when he looked at me like that, but it no longer controlled me. Now that I’d become the rightful carrier of this generational power, the magick that I’d inherited flourished under his attention. Every once in a while, I still heard Gorrath’s gruff voice in my head, but thankfully, he held his tongue more often than not.
