“Oh, you’re back. I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed your brush. I couldn’t find mine, but of course it hasn’t arrived yet, and my hair was a disaster after the bath?—”
“It’s not a problem.” I crossed to my closet, yanking open the heavy doors with more force than needed. Inside, I grabbed the first pair of pants I touched and pulled them on.
I didn’t bother with a tunic.
When I emerged from the closet, she’d finished with her hair and had moved to the sitting room. I found her kneeling on the floor beside Fletcher, whispering to him while stroking his ears.
“And I’d love to explore the cave system,” she said softly. “I’ve never seen a volcanic mountain from the inside before. The geological formations alone would be fascinating, but if there are multiple chambers with different temperature zones, I could conduct experiments comparing thermal retention in natural versus constructed environments. And Raoul mentioned weather records going back three centuries, which is exactly the kind of longitudinal data I need for my predictive models. Do you think he actually meant it when he said I could access them? Sometimes people say things to be polite.”
She actually doubted me. The uncertainty in her voice made my chest tighten.
When she smiled, my knees nearly gave way.
“You’re right,” she said, as if she was actually carrying on a conversation with the hound. “He did seem genuine. And he offered to take me flying, which is remarkably generous considering how busy he must be. Though I should probably check if that’s actually practical or if he was just being?—”
“I meant it,” I said, unable to listen to her second-guess my sincerity any longer.
She looked up, startled, her hand stilling on Fletcher’s head. “I didn’t realize you were listening. I was just—Fletcher and I were discussing?—”
“How were you discussing anything with Fletcher?”
She glanced toward the smug-appearing hound. “He can’t speak, of course, but witches can communicate with their companions in their minds.”
“And he can actually tell you things?”
Her laugh rang out. “Of course he can. He’s as intelligent as anyone else.”
Interesting.
“You have complete access to the cave system and historical records.” I crossed to the door and retrieved the breakfast tray, carrying it to the table near the windows. “Feel welcome to go wherever you please. I’ll take you all over the castle today.”
Why in all the fates had I said that? I had enough to do without escorting my wife around my kingdom. Before I’d met her, I’d planned a quick tour before handing her off to one of my staff. Never seeing her again except at random meals or functions.
Then I’d met her.
“You don’t have to do that.” She rose to her feet. “I know you’re busy. I don’t want to be a burden.”
“You’re not.” I set the tray down and pulled out a chair for her. “You’re my wife. I want to spend the day with you.”
Curse me, but I did.
“Your work will benefit our agricultural communities and advance magical understanding. Why wouldn’t I support that?” This, I pushed out, trying to justify taking a full day to spend with my bride rather than pretending she didn’t exist.
She moved toward the table slowly, Fletcher padding behind her with his usual mournful expression. “Most people find my research boring. Or impractical. Or both.”
“Most people are fools.”
That earned me a startled laugh, and heat unfurled in my chest at the sound.
She sat in the chair I’d pulled out, murmuring thanks,and Fletcher positioned himself beside her with his eyes fixed longingly on the food platters.
I took the seat across from her, watching as she examined the breakfast selection with the same focus she applied to everything. Geoff had outdone himself, bringing fresh bread still warm from the oven, soft cheese, sliced fruit, eggs, honeycakes, and a selection of fruit.
“This is too much,” Adele said, but she was already reaching for the bread. “I can’t imagine you and I can eat all of this.”
“Fletcher will help.” I glanced at the basset hound, who managed to look both pitiful and optimistic at the same time. He nodded my way.
It was going to take some time to get used to intelligence in a creature most would dismiss as a simple pet.
