I let her have her thoughts, and my gaze drifts to the windows. The rain is still pattering against the windows, which only increases my worry about Nate's journey. And I know I'm not going to be able to stop until he's standing in front of me and safely in Falhaven Castle.
Chapter 2
Thankfully, the rain only lasted a day and has cleared enough for the late-autumn sunshine to illuminate the courtyard behind the kitchen. There are several members of staff around, including a woman in the herb garden sorting through some of the plants.
I rock on my heels and try not to be too impatient about the fact that the cart is taking longer to get up to the castle than I thought when I spotted it out of the window. But I don't mind too much. When it finally gets here, it will bring Nate with it, and I'll have my best friend back.
The past month hasn't been as difficult as the previous five years, but I've still missed Nate after having him around. A week with him when he visited with the delegation from Wafeland wasn't enough, especially when it was plagued with the knowledge that the two of us were going to be parted again. This time, it's different. He's going to be at Falhaven Castle as the pastry chef, which means that he won't be going anywhere unless it's as part of one of our delegations to another kingdom.
It'll give us lots of time to bake, and for me to figure out exactly how I feel beyond the fact that I love him. As much as it might seem simple to my sister to say the words, it's not for me. We've been friends for over fifteen years, and I don't want to ruin what we have together because of feelings he doesn't return.
The crunch of hooves against the stones that lead into the courtyard draws my attention, and I look up in the hopes of seeing the cart arrive, only to be disappointed when I find my brother leading two horses coming into the courtyard and towards the mounting block.
"I didn't expect you to be here, Evie," Artie says when he spots me.
"Nate's arriving," I respond, looking towards the arch and hoping that Nate will magically appear, but he hasn't.
"Ah, that'll explain it. I think Veronica mentioned something about it. Have you seen Solana?"
"Why would I have seen your wife?" I respond.
"Because this is where she's meeting me for our ride, and you've been waiting here," he points out.
"Oh, right. No, I haven't seen her."
He shrugs. "I guess that gives me time to get the picnic loaded."
"Is that why you asked me to make the pies last night?" I ask curiously.
"Yes. Did you get to making them?"
"Of course. I think they came out well," I respond.
"I'm sure they'll be delicious," he says. "I'll let you know when we get back." He hands over the reins to a groom and heads through the door and into the kitchen.
I look over at the arch, a smile coming to my face as I spot the cart finally approaching. Excitement fills me, and the conversation with Artie has at least taken my mind off my feelings towards Nate for a few moments.
The horses let out a few noises as the cart enters the courtyard. My heart skips a beat as I spot Nate next to the driver. I lift a hand to wave, and he returns the gesture. I'm not sure exactly what to do with the feelings inside me, but I feel like I'm about to explode.
The cart comes to a stop, and he jumps down, his large brown coat fluttering around him as he does. He exchanges a few words with the driver.
I try not to be too impatient, but I want to run up to him and embrace him.
He doesn't unpack anything from the cart before coming over to me, and I don't think twice about putting my arms around him. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me closer. I take a deep breath, enjoying the familiar scent of baking and Nate.
"Welcome home," I say as we break apart.
He smiles. "I'm glad to be home. I can't believe I've got a royal welcome."
I laugh. "No royal welcome, just a friend." I reach out to touch his arm, falling back into the pattern of physical affection that we seemed to gain when he visited.
"Even so, you didn't have to come meet me."
"I know," I respond. "But I saw the cart coming through the window, and I didn't want to miss you arriving."
"Well, here I am."
"I'm glad. Because I have so many things I want us to try making," I say. "There have been more oranges from Someil. I don't even know what to do with them. And there's a new spice that's come from Rajaad..."
