“Music lessons. He’s taken up the harp,” Simeon jokes, though he doesn’t smile.
“He could get the black fever again,” I mutter, shaking my head.Just thinking about Jax venturing into the Ashes right now, turning to some pub for liquid courage before prowling the Deadlands, makes my tea taste bitter. “Would he really want to risk that?”
I’d trusted him not to go there alone again. He’d promised. But I wouldn’t keep a promise like that, so I suppose I shouldn’t expect him to.
Simeon doesn’t answer for a while. The fire pops and hisses in the absence of words. At last he says, “I don’t think either of us knows what he’s willing to risk anymore, not when he’s so determined to protect us in his way.” He runs a hand through his hair and finally looks at me. “That’s why I want you to be the Witness at our wedding—mine and Danial’s. I was going to ask Jax, since Danial wanted you to be his, but... somehow, if you can fight three soldiers at once, I think you can handle double wedding duties.”
I hastily set down my tea, searching for words. In the absence of finding any for such an honor—usually reserved for blood relatives only—I leap out of my chair and pull Simeon into a fierce hug.
“I probably should’ve waited to ask you in a better way,” Simeon murmurs into my hair. “But we’re trying to make this thing happen in a week or two. Valoria already agreed we can hold it at the palace. It’ll be small, thanks to the fever, but Danial and I agree it’s now or never, and neither of us is okay with the never. So, what do you say?”
I draw back to study his face. “Didn’t the hug answer your question?”
Simeon grins. “In that case, here’s the first important matter we need to discuss: How would you feel about a rosemary cake iced with lavender? Too plain?” Before I can reply, he adds, “Oh! The palace chefs have been working on some new frosting flavors. You’ll love the pumpkin. They still haven’t convinced me to try the sweet cheese or the seaweed, though...”
I purse my lips, imagining it. “Seaweed? In a cake?”
As we talk about frostings and fillings, my mind wanders to Meredy, wondering when we’ll get back on the training ground—even from a distance, I like the way her practice clothes cling to her curves. Somehow, those thoughts turn to wondering which of her favorite frosting flavors she wants on her wedding cake someday. Persimmon, ginger, or both. I picture her wearing a crown of daisies, in a dress the color of the forest she loves so much. And the partner facing her, holding her hands and whispering something that makes her laugh, wearing a red dress far more suited to a bonfire night, isme.
My insides give a guilty twist as I think of the list of songs Evander made, ones he wanted the musicians to play at our wedding. His favorite songs for dancing. I still have the scrap of parchment in the inside pocket of my cloak, where it’s been for months.
“Sparrow, what’s wr—? Oh, you’re out of tea! I’ll fetch the kettle. Hold on.” Simeon leaps up and hurries away. The fire is little more than glowing embers now, and Noranna and Valoria are talking in such soft voices that I might as well be alone in here.
In the quiet, Simeon’s song echoes loudly through my head, drowning all my other thoughts in a welcome distraction. I start to hum it.
“What’s that tune?” Valoria asks, startling me slightly. She drops into Simeon’s vacant chair, her conversation with Noranna apparently finished. “I don’t recognize it.”
“Oh! Um, Simeon made it up.” I give her a hesitant smile, and when she returns it, I decide to treat her to a few bars. Just as I belt out at my off-key best, “Our bloody king for a day!” Karston coughs loudly.
I don’t bother looking up, but instead keep singing. He must have gotten dust up his nose from that moldering book.
“With a head far too big,” I continue, with Valoria looking more perplexed by the moment, “To fit in his—”
“For the love of Vaia, would youpleasesing something else, Odessa?” Karston asks in a strained voice, slamming his book shut.
I blink at him, surprised. “But you love that song.”
“Sorry, I...” He straightens, scratching the back of his neck. “I’ve just heard it too often, being around Simeon all the time.”
“Right,” I murmur, giving Karston a thoughtful look. He must have been more nervous than he seemed about his demonstration with the soldiers. Or maybe he’s worried that he doesn’t have enough magic to control a whole army of them once Noranna builds more.
After all, that’s a lot of weight on one person’s shoulders, especially a mage who’s just discovered what he can do. He probably doesn’t even know the cost of his gift yet, though he’ll find out soon enough with all the work that’s ahead.
If any of the leaders Valoria’s been writing to decides that Karthia seems ripe for plundering, we may need those soldiers sooner than anyone’s expecting. Especially when, as Valoria is still quick to point out, there aren’t many who’d fight under her banner.
“Get some rest today, all right?” I give Karston’s shoulder a reassuring pat, then add, “And tell Simeon to save my extra cup of tea for later, if you would.”
“We’ll send a few guards to escort you and Noranna to the palace this afternoon with all your things,” Valoria says kindly.
Wrapping our faces against the cold and the spreading sickness alike, she and I prepare for the hurried trip back to the palace. It’s time to give our friends a taste of what we’ve all been short on lately: hope.
Valoria pauses, turning to me with her hand on the door. I can already feel a bitter wind slipping through its cracks.
“You know, now that I’m speaking with Devran,andwe have the makings of a defense against potential invaders...” She presses herlips together, seeming torn about whether to say more. Taking a hard look at me, she continues, “You shouldn’t feel like you have to stay here. If you and Meredy want to go back to Sarral, or anywhere else, you should feel free. Forget what I said the other night—that was just the wine and the pie talking. I’m not Eldest Grandfather. I won’t keep anyone against their will.” She tries to smile, but it falters.
“I’m not going anywhere.” I want to hug her, or maybe hit her—how can she know so much, but not realize that I want to be right here, by her side? “There’s Simeon and Danial’s wedding coming up, and after that...” I shrug, not sure of the answer myself. All I see in my immediate future is Karthia. “I’ll be here. With you, dummy.”
Valoria laughs, and I start to grin, too, because we both know it’s a funny thing to say to one of the smartest people in all of Karthia.
