She didn’t want to horrify Mihr further, tell her she’d already met their ruler wearing herscandalousEarth clothes, so she said, “When I get back from my walk, you can help me find something pretty.”Even if I’ll freeze in it.
“Of course.” Smiling now, Mihr laid out the covered dishes on the enormous dining table.
Seriously, she wished Mihr wouldn’t worry so much about her. Just because she was human didn’t mean she couldn’t take care of herself.
You were human.
Right,that, too. It would take time to get used to the change, especially because she didn’t feel any different. Also, she had to go home soon and speak with her father, fill him in on everything.
Exhaling, she lifted a silver dome and found little black cakes resembling muffins. The aroma had her salivating.
“If you have no need of me today, my lady,” Mihr said, pouring coffee, “Jisele needs help. With the older Elyon found and both of them here now, we will be busy. Haroth is scrambling to employ more staff.”
“I’ll be fine, Mihr. When my sister gets up, let her know I’ve gone for a walk.”
The girl nodded, added milk and sugar to Leya’s coffee, then set the cup near her. After a quick curtsy, she hurried off.
Leya gulped her caffeine, grabbed two black muffins, and walked out of the dining room. She could sense Aerén close, but he was in a meeting with his brother, and they had things to discuss. Besides, shereeeeallywasn’t ready to see the elyon, who’d insisted Aerén mate her sister, again.
As she headed out into the damp, overcast morning, the smell of earth from the torrential rains hung heavy in the air. More clouds gathered. Yep, another storm was imminent.
Severn came around from the side of the castle, panting and sweating profusely, a sword in his hand. A hasty bow followed. “Good morning, my lady.”
Leya smiled. “Training?”
“Aye. Lord Drav’n nearly slaughtered me,” he grumbled, and she laughed. “I’ll be by soon, my lady.”
Leya nodded her agreement, since Aerén had made Severn her own personal bodyguard when at the castle. “I’m going for a walk.”
“Not too far, if you please, my lady.” Another bow, then Severn strode off.
Right. Wanting to see more of the grounds, Leya made her way toward the unexplored southern side. She bit into one of the sweet, nutty-tasting cakes with a fruity liquid center as she wandered the place.
A rustling noise startled her, and she stopped, glancing about her. She didn’t worry too much since guards were posted everywhere. With the sorcerer losing his captive, they weren’t taking chances. But the murmurs of leaves from the tall trees and the sighs of the winter boughs creaking had her frowning. Ugh, why so loud?
She resumed her walk. Soon, the manicured gardens gave way to a stretch of nearly bare trees and shrubs, then to greenish-blue, grassy ground. Her gaze lit on the sea in the distance.
If only she could get there…
A sudden burst of speed propelled her—
“Eeep!” her shriek echoed then she stumbled to a halt.
Whoa!
Then she grinned. She didn’t care how it happened, but it did.
The pretty gray-blue, with hints of pink, sea stretched out in both directions.
The wind murmured through the long blades, and she grimaced, rubbing her ears free of the sharp sounds. The grass swayed around spiked rock formations dotting the landscape. More of those navy rocks littered the area near the cliff.
She swallowed the last bit of the first cake and stopped at the ledge.
Whoa!The sheer drop would make anyone queasy. Hastily, Leya stepped back and sat on the turf, enjoying the quiet and her last muffin. Her attention settled on several islands scattered far out in the sea.
As she took a bite of the second cake, movement in her peripheral sight had her head snapping toward it.
A tall figure with long braided white hair strolled her way. His boot-length, navy blue cloak fluttered with his steps.
