I lean forward and she works the lather through my hair, her fingers gentle. Even though I bathed at the Dell, the water still clouds with dirt. She rinses and washes it again until it runs clear. Then she takes a cloth and washes the rest of me. Neither of us speak, and my eyes start to close as my body relaxes for the first time in days under her gentle touch.
When the water starts to cool, she helps me out and wraps me in a towel. I sit in front of the dresser while she combs through the tangles in my hair, working patiently until it lies damp and smooth down my back. Then she helps me into fresh underclothes, a clean shift, and a simple gown of soft gray wool.
“I should go and see my father.” At my words, Nella finds my fleece-lined indoor slippers, and slides them onto my feet.
“Do you want me to come with you?”
I shake my head. “No. You have done enough.” I kiss her cheek. “Go and rest yourself. You look like you need it.”
My father’s study is at the end of the east corridor. I’ve been summoned here hundreds of times. For lectures, for lessons, for quiet conversations about the behavior expected of a king’s daughter. I take a breath before I knock at the heavy oak door.
“Come in.”
He’s standing by the window, silhouetted against the afternoon light. When he turns to face me, it’s not as my father, but as the king of the realm.
“Tell me what happened.”
I’ve practiced this in my head. Over and over on the journey back.
“The hunt went wrong. My horse bolted, and I got separated from the others. The fae found me before they did.” I keep my voice steady. “It took me, and dragged me through the forest. I don’t know how long. Days? It felt like forever.”
“Laela said she could find no marks, but tell me the truth, Alleria. Did it hurt you?”
Yes. He broke my ribs. He choked me. He cut my palm open and licked the blood. He made me feel things I should never have felt for him.
“Some bruises, that’s all. Nothing serious enough to have lasted more than a day or two.”
“How did you escape?”
“It was distracted. I don’t know by what. I just ran.” I force myself to meet his eyes. “I didn’t look back. I kept running and hiding until I found the road. Then I walked until the Dell’s men found me.”
He crosses to me and takes my hands in his. “You’re safe now. That’s all that matters. You’re home.”
I nod, because I don’t dare speak. I have so many things I want to say, to demand, but now isn’t the time.
“Will you join us for dinner, or would you prefer to eat in your room this evening?”
“I’ll join you. If I hide in my room, everyone will talk.”
He nods, and offers me his arm, and we walk along the hallway to the great hall.
I sit at the high table on my father’s right, with Merina on his left. I smile, and nod, and say all the things I’m supposed to say. People approach in a steady stream—lords and ladies expressing relief, and asking questions that skirt around what they really want to know. I answer them all.
Yes, I’m glad to be home. No, I wasn’t seriously hurt. Yes, the Dell’s men found me. No, I don’t really want to talk about it.
The meal is venison with rosemary. A welcome home meal. I cut it into small pieces and move them around my plate, forcing down a bite every time I feel my father’s eyes on me.
At the far end of the hall, a table erupts in laughter. I look over to where Lord Vessen is holding court, goblet raised, face flushed with wine. He’s in the middle of a story, his free hand gesturing broadly, his voice carrying across the room.
“—should have seen the look on its face when I cornered it. Like it almost understood what was happening. Sixteen points on that rack. Finest trophy I ever took.”
More laughter. Someone raises a toast.
“And when I put the spear in, it pissed itself and squealed like a pig!” Vessen slaps the table, roaring with laughter.
My chair scrapes back, and the sound cuts through the noise of the hall. I’m on my feet and moving, before I even think about it. Heads turn, conversations dying.
“Alleria?” My father’s voice is questioning.
