“It’s absolutely beautiful. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.” I smile back at her, still trying to get a read on her.
“Thank you,” she replies, tucking the stone into her blouse. “It’s so wonderful to meet you, Briar. I feel like I already know you, since Silas was always talking about you.”
Fenmore smiles again, and it’s a replica of Silas’s.
Silas flashes an uncomfortable glance at his sister for being so forward, and I nod, signaling that it’s fine. They look similar,yet different in a way. I can’t help but wonder if Fenmore takes after their mother or father.
I glance around her body and gaze directly at Silas.
“Talking about me, are you?” I joke.
“Fenmore knows more about me than I know myself, I’m afraid.” His eyes soften. “She knows about the dreams.”
I glance back at Fenmore, who’s smiling almost wider than her face allows, and she pumps her brows twice, making me laugh.
“It’s nice to meet you, Fenmore.” I bow to the Princess of Andorwood.
Who I had no idea existed until now.
“Oh goodness, never bow to me.” She waves her hands. “You are a queen, and news about the goings on in Daramveer has spread fast.” She continues to stand in front of me, smiling, as if there isn’t a care in the world. “Please, call me Fen.”
Silas steps forward. “Fen is in charge of the men you met earlier; however, she pretends otherwise. Fen can talk herself into or out of almost anything. You should have seen her as a child.”
“The last thing I want to do is take care of a group of assholes who don’t want to listen to me.” She winks in my direction. “Silas gave me that job so he doesn’t have to do it.”
Silas rolls his eyes. “Don’t listen to her. They are all afraid of her.”
I glance toward her shoulder, where a prominent scar snakes out from under her clothing. She catches my look and says, “Another unfortunate thing Silas and I share.”
She glances down toward the scar, and her lips tighten as memories seem to flood her mind like an unwelcome intruder.
She clears her throat, pulling herself out of her thoughts. “Although his are a bit more noticeable.”
“I think I’m handsome,” Silas jokes, scratching his temple.
“Oh, we all know you feel that way, brother,” she snaps back, rolling her eyes at his cocky response.
I chuckle, watching their exchange.
An ache burns in my chest, thinking of the silly moments I had with my brother growing up, and reality hits me once more that those days will never happen again. Silas grabs my hand, somehow understanding precisely what I’m thinking, like always. Maybe I do need the closure Maines wants to give me.
I shake the thought from my head. “Are we close to docking in Andorwood?”
“Yup,” Fen says, nodding. “We should be there in another hour or so. Don’t worry; your feet will be on solid ground soon. That’s when the real fun begins.” She drags her hands through her hair before sighing. “I’m going to check in with Warrick. Someone has to keep these men in line.” She moves toward the door before turning back. “Briar, I look forward to getting to know you more.”
She exits the room gracefully, and leaves me alone with Silas again.
“She’s…vibrant, isn’t she?” he asks, with a chuckle.
“She’s confident. It must be a Nastronde trait,” I say back.
“She’s strong, like you. We’ve been extremely close since we were young. She’s been the best person to go through this fucked-up life with.” Silas sits on the large chair, extending his arms behind his head. “I know you two will be thick as thieves in no time. Or, I hope.”
“You two are alike,” I say.
He raises his brows. “You can’t honestly say I’m that chipper.”
I laugh, joining him on the chair. “No, you aren’t exactly the chipper type.”
