The question should be simple, but it isn’t, because I did. I somehow managed to sleep in spite of my frazzled nerves after the incident in the hallway and then my nightmare. I slept without waking at every crack of thunder, and as I look at my new husband, I realize it’s because he was here.
For some strange reason, he makes me feel… safe. But I cannot tell him that. “I’ve slept better,” I say coolly.
It’s not a complete lie. After all, the mattress was nowhere near as soft as mine back home.
His mouth twitches as though he can see through my half-truth, but he wisely chooses to say nothing.
He rises in one smooth motion, the quilt slipping from his hips as he stands. I look away instantly and absolutely do not notice the flex of muscle as he stretches his arms over his head.
Not at all.
“We should leave before the roads turn to mud,” he says, reaching for his tunic.
Not wanting him to see the flush staining my cheeks from his ridiculously gorgeous body on display, I scramble from the bed and return to my room, closing the door behind me so I can get ready.
It’s more difficult than I thought it would be to make myself presentable without servants to help braid my hair and ensure everything is buttoned as it should be as I tug on my travel clothes and boots.
When I’m finished, I stalk toward the door with as much royal grace as I can muster. I step into his room and find Auren leaning against the wall like he has all the time in the world.
His gaze sweeps over me. Something in his expression softens, and a flicker of warmth slides through my chest like a traitor. “You look beautiful, Vivienne.”
I blink but then narrow my eyes as I think of my somewhat pitiful braid and my inelegant clothing. “Are you teasing me?”
“Of course not.” He frowns. “I mean it.”
I should scoff or roll my eyes. But as his luminous blue eyes stare deep into mine, I see nothing but sincerity in their depths.
My cheeks warm again, and I hate myself for it. “Let’s go,” I mutter, marching past him before he can see the foolish smile trying to tug my lips.
When we step outside, the air is crisp. The courtyard smells of wet earth and woodsmoke and the horses from the stable.
Begrudgingly, I realize he was right about the travel clothes as we walk across the damp ground. If I’d been wearing myregular apparel, the hem of my gown would already be muddy, and my shoes would be ruined beyond repair.
As we approach the stable, two nervous-looking young stableboys rush toward us, their eyes wide. “Thank the gods you’re here,” one of them blurts. “Your wolf—he broke out of his stall.”
Auren frowns. “You locked him in?”
“Well…” The boy hesitates. “That’s what we do with all the horses.”
“My wolf is not a horse,” Auren says calmly.
“We realize that, my lord.” He exchanges a look with his partner. “Normally, we’d be out searching for him, but we… weren’t sure it was safe to go looking.”
“Thought he might eat us,” the other one says. He clears his throat and glances around nervously before leaning in a whispering. “You, uh, don’t think he’s a danger out on the loose, do you, m’lord?”
“Of course not,” Auren replies. “He’s a Dire wolf, not a monster.”
A low huff sounds from nearby, and Vaelen emerges from the mist like something summoned from shadow. His silver-white fur is slightly damp, his golden eyes alert as he moves with the silent grace of a predator padding toward us.
The two stablehands slowly back away, their faces pale.
“There you are.” Auren grins. He runs his hand down the wolf’s neck in greeting, and Vaelen leans into the touch. “Good morning, my friend. Did you have a good night?”
Vaelen huffs once in reply.
Auren turns to the nearest stableboy. “He says he slept well. Thank you for taking care of him last night.”
“Of—of course,” he replies. He exchanges a nervous glance with his partner. “Would you… erm… like us to ready the saddle and the harness?”
