In the meantime, Poet’s threat was moot. Lyrik was not coming back.
If we saw the rogue again, it would be years from now. And it would be in Winter.
My liege sprinted back onto the yard with Briar in tow. Dismay flashed in the princess’s countenance, though she endeavored to repress this in front of Nicu. As such, he must have told her about this recent turn of events.
Focused on consoling their son, Briar swept across the lawn in sapphire leather pants and a corresponding linen shirt. Exchanging an ardent kiss with Poet, she inched back and swung an apprehensive gaze between her husband and me. “Everything all right?”
“Tonight,” Poet promised her.
They would discuss this at eventide.
With a nod, she rounded her shoulders. “May I join you?”
“Always, Sweet Thorn,” Poet invited while Nicu bobbed his head.
I shuffled back as the father-son duo lined up first. At my side, Briar adjusted the thorn quills in her locks while watching them with an ardent smile.
Instead of his staff, Poet switched to blades for this match. Flipping one between his fingers, he instructed, “Follow me like a ribbon.”
Nicu hunched forward, balancing his custom dagger. “What if I can’t—”
“You can, sweeting.”
“Okay, then. I’ll follow.”
“Splendid.” Fire brimmed in the jester’s pupils. “And when we’re done here, you won’t need to.”
Briar exchanged a warm look with me, then poised her chin as if echoing that statement. Despite the residual pangs lingering in their wake, the jester and his son prowled around one another like shadows of the same person. Magnetic and empowered in their own rights.
My lips curved. Given time, Nicu would overcome this. Someday, he would rise stronger than before.
While the princess watched her husband and son train, Nicu’s gleaming eyes met my own. Smiling, I inclined my head. The gesture conveyed everything I felt and everything he deserved to know.
It’s an honor to serve you.
Time was precious with those we loved. While a new dawn rose, I refused to take this privilege for granted.
Shuffling backward, I harnessed my swords. Leaving the family to their morning, I bathed, changed, and hastened for my stallion.
Normally, the warhorse wouldn’t be pleased to have his meal interrupted. But as I approached, the creature belted out a snort of mild impatience. If I didn’t know better, I would say he was lecturing me about taking so long to make this journey.
Mounting the saddle, I emitted a perplexed chuckle and patted the equine’s mane. “I’ve missed her too.”
My lady knight. My Brazen Creature.
The time had indeed come. I would not stay away any longer.
Riding toward the forest, my heart took flight. The last time I pursued Aspen from the castle, it had been to apprehend the woman. Now, it would be for a different reason.
60
Aspen
Orange flames danced inside the furnace. Using a pair of tongs, I drew a metal plate from the oven, the fitting’s surface glowing red. After carefully setting the piece atop an anvil, I returned the tongs to the workbench and wiped my damp cheek while admiring the outcome.
It would take a while for the piece to cool down before it was ready for shaping. Until then, I closed my eyes and inhaled fresh wood, varnish, and pumpernickel bread wafting from the cottage’s kitchen.
The scents of home.
