Mari took his coat as though it were an honour to do so. ‘Everything is in order, my lord.’ She held out her hand towards Scarlen. ‘Your coat, miss?’
Your Royal Highness, if you want to be formal about things.‘Thank you,’ said Scarlen, handing over her coat, suppressing her amusement at Bear’s high status. He had an air about him in prison, and now she could see quite clearly where that came from.
Raven was already walking up the stairs with Wynter, and Elbar had long vanished, so Scarlen quietly followed Bear to his bedchamber, perusing the paintings of stern faces and intricate gowns along the way. She glanced at her own attire. All black, tight but breathable. Hopefully, more outfits would be on offer, as the last time she felt she looked herself was back at the palace.
The thought of home rattled her insides, as at some point her father would come for her, north or not. Bear had no idea the type of man the king was, or perhaps he did know. After all, he was made to witness the cruelty of his mother’s death.
Bear brought Scarlen to a halt in front of his mother’s portrait, Ranola’s hair so long and light, the same tawny eyes as Wynter, but a taller, wider frame, strong, fierce, her starealone seeming to bore into Scarlen’s soul. ‘This was just after she married my father.’
‘She’s beautiful.’And I can feel her hate.It felt so wrong to stand there in his home, in front of his mother, and hold her secret so close. ‘Bear, I have to tell you something.’
His head dipped. ‘Not now, Scars. Tomorrow.’
Before she could agree or disagree, she hadn’t decided, he led her into his chamber, the large, dark, four-poster bed catching her eye first.
‘I know you have things to share with me, but I don’t have the energy to hear them,’ he added, sitting on a chaise longue to remove his boots. He glanced up as her fingertips traced over the peach-coloured wallpaper. ‘There were times I never thought I’d see this place again.’
Scarlen’s heart went out to him as he sighed.
‘There’s a shift in the drawer there.’ He gestured at a tall dresser to her side. ‘Mari would have prepared the room for you too once word of your company got out.’
Scarlen opened the drawer and pulled out the cream garment. ‘Thank you.’
‘We need to sleep.’
She understood. He was exhausted. She was too, and she couldn’t think about making love to him with so much hanging over her. His mother’s ghost, for one.
He removed his clothes and got into bed. ‘I’ll probably be gone by the time you wake. Dress how you wish and go to the dining room. I’ll see you there.’ He pointed at the armoire first, then the door.
Scarlen changed into the shift, glad to be rid of the fitted trousers and boots, then snuggled to his side. That much she felt comfortable enough to do. Bear held her close, placing a kiss upon her head, and she closed her eyes, hoping it wouldn’t be thelast time he touched her, because when she told him her truth in the morning, he might just hate her forever.
The wind whipped up, rattling the window, and Scarlen visualised the ghost of Ranola banging on the window, cursing her.
‘Bear,’ she whispered, huddling closer.
His arm was secure around her. ‘It’s all right, Scars, you’re safe. You’re safe.’
Still, she stayed wide awake while he slept soundly, her body tense, her heart hiding, the wind scratching at the window, tormenting, warning, unforgiving.It’s just a snowstorm, she told herself over and over until she could keep her eyes open no more.
29
Bear and Raven stood at the small standing stone that marked Oxley’s final resting place. The early light of day glistened the top of the grey slab where the two men placed a pebble each before taking a deep breath, inhaling the earthy scent that made the sacred grounds.
‘I’m not sure I’ll ever get over losing him.’ Raven sat to one side of the grave, his leg bent, his head dipped.
Bear knew how he felt. Not much seemed real anymore. Life had changed, with elders gone, so many deaths, his people hunted, wanted, hated. ‘I want to kill the king.’ He met his friend’s cold stare. ‘I’m going to make a plan, go south, get into the palace, and have him pay for his crimes against our family.’
‘I’ll come with you.’
‘No. No more risks are to be taken. We need strength here. You’re to help protect the north.’ Bear sat, his gaze across the way to Harlex’s headstone. ‘The king’s army will come, and we need to be ready. He won’t expect me to come for him. Everyone will think I’m here, hiding, so what I need is to travel alone. No big groups, no telling outside of our circle what is to be done.’
‘I’d like to know who the traitor was last time, but one thing’s for sure, they’re not around here anymore.’
‘They could be.’
Raven shook his head. ‘I think they stayed in the south once we were captured.’
‘We have time today to hold a meeting. We’ll see who has moved away. Might be helpful.’
