She was further embroiled with her mother and Mary in somerenovations they were seeing to in the cellar, not to mention restylingCorliss, MaxineandMary’s rooms (Mary had decided to stayindefinitely, which, considering she was nosy, meddling and a widow who livedalone, but now had family she cared deeply for that she could order about, wasnot a surprise).
And last,Satrinehad begun astrangely intent, but not surprising project of learning the history andanything else she could devour about the Vale, the Northlands, indeed all thelands.As such, she often had her nose in a book, and she read the newspaperfront to back every morning.
In other words, his bride was even more busy than he.
That said, when she was with him, she waswith him.It seemed she’d made it her mission to cause him to laugh often, urge him toshare every nuance of his life (or those he could share), and she had aparticular skill in making him climax as hard as he could orgasm.
This was unsurprising too, considering her vow to see tohim, never to leave him, never to let him lose his hold on all things good.
She was that, top to toe to bones to soul.
Good.
As such, he had completed the journey to falling in lovewith her.
It was now simply a matter, day by day, of finding ways tolove her more, an endeavor that was far from a struggle.
His only concern was, of late, he’d notedSatrineseemed to be getting anxious.She tried to hide it,but this anxiety was such, she couldn’t.
This, he knew, was due to her father’s upcoming trial, andregrettably, all Loren could do in the face of that was be steady for her andher mother, until it was over, which fortunately would be soon.
But he, too, had saved Tor and Cora’s imminent arrival as atreat for her, even if she knew they were coming, as her father’s trial was theday after tomorrow.
However, when he went to collect her to give her thesurprise, she was not there, and it seemed no one knew where she was.
Corliss did not appear concerned about this and shared, “Asyou know, Lorie, she wanders.When you’re not around, she likes to read in thepark.And she knows Carling is partial to that fudge from the candy store, sowhen he runs out, she always heads off to get a new supply.And right now, Ithink he’s out.”
One of the many pleasing things about his wife-to-be wasthat she was a busy woman who had many pursuits.
And he suspected, even more strongly now, that she was up tosomething in regards to his father’s birthday, for she had very poorlymaneuvered Maxie asking everyone at the table after their favorite pies threenights before when they all shared dinner.
This being something they’d need to know so his father wouldhave his preferred birthday pie.
The problem with this was that Loren had been commanded tomeet his king and queen, and bring her with him, and he couldn’t wait for hernor did he have the time to look for her, so now he was there…without her.
“You know her story,” he said low to Tor.
There was a change in the mood of the room, and with it,Loren knew everyone in it knew her story.
Then again, if they all attended the trial, they’d learn it,and considering the story, it was better they were forewarned.
“She’s finally free and she tends to go about enjoying thatto the fullest,” he explained.
“I think I’m going to like her,” Cora decreed.
“I know you will,” Loren told her.“She’s the most likeablewoman I’ve ever met.”
Cora’s eyes lit and her mouth curled up.
“Is she, indeed?”she murmured delightedly.
“She is,” he answered firmly.
Cora gave eyes to Circe, then Farah.
But Loren looked to Lahn.“It’s good to see you,” then toTrue, “and meet you.”He returned his focus to Tor.“But may I ask why they’rehere?”
“All is well,” Tor assured calmly.“Just visits.We haven’tseen True and Farah in some time and it was Lahn and Circe’s turn to come up.”
