Aknock on my door woke me up, but I didn’t recognize my room. It wasn’t the Kalshana castle. It—
And then I remembered. One tragic night and a very long day. And now—
This time three quick knocks came in succession, then a pause, and then two more knocks. Brielle’ssecretknock. But she couldn’t be here.
But she’d done it in front of Ivodar too many times to count.
I clambered out of bed, still wearing the same clothes I’d ridden in all day yesterday, and opened the door. “I almost thought you were Brielle.”
His brows wrinkled. “Really? I… thought you would decide that I was the only person here who would know that knock, and then you wouldn’t worry about opening the door because you’d know it was me.”
I shook my head, trying to chase away the sleepy fogginess that still clung to my mind. “Who else would be trying to wake me up?”
Worry crossed his expression. “Well, anyone, really. That’s why I guarded your door.”
My eyes widened, and I leaned my head out into the hall. “You stayed up all night?”
“Of course. I came as a guard, and one does not guard while he is asleep.”
I rubbed my eyes. “How are you even standing? That must have been the second night you didn’t sleep!”
“Most fae can miss two nights of sleep, especially soldiers. We train for things like that. Three nights would make me… a less reliable guard. But I plan to return here to rest after I see you to the bridge.”
“Shadows and monsters, Ivodar. Has anyone told you you’re crazy before?”
He smiled with half his face. “No, my lady. Most nobles simply give soldiers orders.”
I shook my head and followed him down to breakfast.
Someone had already set a table for us with eggs, sausages, and beautiful, sweet-smelling pastries. I reached for one of the glaze-covered breads first.
Ivodar watched me, but didn’t say anything.
“You can eat too,” I said, worried that he intended to wait until he took me to the bridge for that too.
He bowed his head. “I’ve already eaten.”
I stopped chewing. “Then… am I supposed to eat all this?” I waved at the three plates of food.
He nodded. “You’ll be walking for most of the day.”
My eyes rolled while I swallowed the sugary pastry. “Ivodar. This much food lasted me a week before I married Bylur. There’s no way I’ll eat it all in one sitting.”
He sighed and pulled out a large square of fabric. “I was afraid you’d say that. If you would eat the eggs, I can pack the sausages and bread for your walk.”
I smiled, already feeling the energizing effects of the pastry. “Or, I could eat some of the bread and you can pack everything else for later.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Ugh, I wanted to elbow him for agreeing when I knew he didn’t agree, but my day would go better if I started it with bread. Especially sweet bread. We both knew this.
After breakfast, we went outside and met the horses exactly where we’d left them. I reached up to North Wind’s head, and he lowered it so I could pet his forehead. “Did you two stay here all night?”
He made a cute horse sound and shook his head.
“I told him we were hoping to leave after breakfast,” Ivodar explained, “and they left together. I’m not sure where they spent the night, but they have clearly come back to help us today.”
“I’m not sure I can ride as fast today,” I confessed as Ivodar lifted me into the saddle. “I might have some permanent sores on my legs.”
