Her question surprises laughter out of us all.
When we return to the campsite, Tiernan kisses me on the cheek and mentions that he and the others are off to wash up. I settle in near the campfire beside Alys, who smiles at me with such warmth. Traveling with a bigger group this time makes bonding with one particular person so much harder, but I make sure to smile back at her.
“I’m so glad you made a recovery from that arrow,” I say.
“Me too, sweetling. I’m grateful I get to travel with you all again.”
“It must not be the easiest to leave your husband behind again,” I sign.
“No, but …” Her gaze wanders to Ava, who’s chatting with Chiyo a small distance away.
I smile and nod with understanding. There’s division between them for sure, but I don’t know why. I already spend so much time trying to pry information from Tiernan that I feel bad doing the same to Alys.
“So, you were friends with Morwenna?” I ask Alys.
“I was. Since she was about Carys’s age.”
My chest tightens. It’s been so long since I’ve heard from Carys also. “What was she like?”
“Full of life.” Alys’s smile grows distant, as if she’s remembering Morwenna in vivid detail. “She loved the outdoors—she could spend hours just frolicking in pastures. She also loved roses. She took pride in planting and tending to them even when her mother told her it was lowborn work.” Alys chuckles. “As much as she was a free spirit, she was also a tormented soul. Like Dayfyd said: plagued by nightmares.”
I blow out a breath. “I understand what that’s like.” As does Tiernan.
I’m about to ask her how Dayfyd ended up with Morwenna when I glimpse a light to my left. I turn as Tiernan approacheswith a mage lantern. He smiles, glancing from Alys to me. “I don’t mean to interrupt?—”
“It’s alright,” Alys says.
“Do you mind if I borrow her?” He looks to me, a smile that’s almost reminiscent of the Tiernan I saw at the Verge before Rheon was announced as the sovereign. It warms my heart, giving me the smallest bit of hope.
“Not at all,” Alys signs.
I smile and face her. “To be continued?” I ask.
She nods. “To be continued.”
Tiernan tugs me to my feet and motions, “I selfishly just want a moment to talk to you alone. Is that alright?”
More hope fills me. I nod. “Of course.”
He takes my hand, and we walk away from the group, onto the pathway that leads to the river where I’d been with the girls earlier. As we reach somewhere between the river and our camp, Tiernan stops and turns to me.
“We’re nearing where Siad Nahar is supposed to be. How are you feeling?”
I try to hide the puzzlement from my face and turn inward to make sure I’m not leaving my shields down for him to read me easily. Why did I think he wanted to talk about what’s has been bothering him? “I’m alright,” I respond, clearing my throat. “I wish I could hear more from Carys, and I still wonder about that other woman, Winnie. Sometimes I fear things are too calm and that the other shoe may drop soon, but I’m trying to remain positive.”
“I understand that feeling though. Too calm is almost like tempting fate.”
I laugh. “Well, I didn’t saythat!”
It’s a relief to see that crinkling at the corner of his eyes again, that endearing sharpening of his cheekbones and that overall light in his features. How long since he’s smiled this genuinely?What makes tonight any different? Is it because we’re nearing our destination? In any case, I’m relieved by the sincerity in his smile tonight.
“You’re looking at me that way again,” Tiernan signs.
“Tiernan… I can’t help the way I look at you.”
His smile falters, but he sets the lantern down beside a tree and sits down.
“What are you?—”
