She paused and looked at the sweeping gardens and beautiful manor, the incredibly wealthy duchy that she could live in if she wanted. Her life would be easy here; she would truly want for nothing if she stayed.
“Nothing. I’m waiting for nothing.” Squaring her shoulders, she took his hand and stepped into the carriage without looking back.
In the carriage, he sat across from her and seemed content to look out the window as the wheels of the carriage began to move.
Suddenly feeling self-conscious at being so near him in an enclosed space, she pulled up her gown in an effort to cover her cleavage. The gown might as well have been made of iron—it hardly moved an inch.
Caspian noticed this, and rolled his eyes. He rose from his seat, crouched in the carriage and lifted the bench he had been sitting on to reveal the compartment underneath. He drew out a black velvet cloak identical to his own, secured with a silver clasp. He wordlessly tossed it to her, and she draped it around her shoulders, clasping it at her front to cover herself.
Immediately, she felt more comfortable. “Thank you, that was—that was kind of you.”
Caspian sat across from her once more, unnaturally still, and chose not to answer.
As the last red rose of Howard Manor passed out of sight, Caspian turned to her and said, “Would you prefer to pass the journey in conversation or sit in silence?”
She thought about it for a moment, chewing the inside of her cheek. She was bursting with questions, but didn’t want to pester him or seem rude. Hehadoffered to talk though. So she said, “I would like to make conversation to pass the time.”
“I see,” Caspian sighed and rubbed a hand over his beard. “You’ll have to help me come up with a topic then. Small talk does not come easily to me. Perhaps you would tell me more about yourself?”
“What would you like to know?” she asked, amusement playing about her lips.
Caspian crossed a leg over his knee and asked, “If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?”
She considered the question. “I would travel and make a life for myself somewhere.”
“No quest for money or power?”
“I have grown up with power and wealth. It did not help me today. I think travelling and memories would be worth more than money to me.”
Irritation flashed across his face, but it was gone in a heartbeat and his face became impassive once more.
“And you? If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?”
“Vengeance.” His words were so casual, she was sure that he must be kidding. She furrowed her brow, wanting to ask more, but he cut her off before she could speak. “If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?”
The silver flames that flickered in his eyes were very distracting. It felt like his eyes were piercing her soul every time he looked at her. “Sorry, what did you ask?” A blush rose to her cheeks as she realized he had asked her something.
He repeated the question.
She thought about it for a second. “Hmm … If I could travel anywhere, I think I would go to the City of Scholars. It sounds like an interesting place to visit.”
“The City? An odd choice for a lady’s travels. What have you heard about the City of Scholars?” His tone was derisive.
“I know a fair bit about it,” she said coolly. “My parents made sure I had lessons on all the major kingdoms outside our borders.”
Upon seeing his skeptical expression, she added earnestly, “I know the City of Scholars is found in the heart of The Winterlands, and it is said that because their kingdom has no wheat or wine, their trade is in knowledge instead. All the greatest scholars and advisors in Asteria are said to have studied there.” She smiled broadly. “I heard that they have a library the size of a city, if you can believe it.”
“Is that what you’ve heard?” He glanced at her. “Why does it intrigue you so? More than the deserts of Israr, the mountains and forests of Arboras, or the old cities of Faina? The Winterlands are covered in snow year-round. It is absolutely miserable. I can’t see you enjoying it.”
“Oh, but think about it—a library the size of a city! I think I would die of happiness. Plus, my father spent some time there in his youth and spoke highly about it.”
“Do you get cold easily?” He raised a brow.
“I do but … but I’m sure I’d manage,” she said stubbornly, standing her ground.
“It is pretty, but in a harsh way,” he amended.
“You've been there?” she asked breathlessly. Having never left Rhodea, she always loved hearing stories about people travelling to far off reaches of Asteria, as if she could live through their experiences.
