Chapter 22
“Robin,” Ilida called from outside the small weapon shed.
Robin placed her papers in the drawer of the small desk she used there when she needed to work in solitude. She met Ilida at the door.
“You are needed in the study,” the steward said.
Robin tilted her head, narrowing her eyes at the woman.
Ilida threw up her hands. “It is not an ambush this time. Lord Cabril just arrived.”
“You know you can tell me anything,” Robin said, closing the shed door behind her. “You do not need to ambush me.”
Walking briskly ahead of her, Ilida shrugged. “You are always busy. Sometimes I need to lock you in a room to get your full attention.”
Robin had no response to that. As they walked past the Lockwood cottages, however, she saw Ian sparring with Ulli. The two were going at each other in hand-to-hand combat. A skill that Ulli had perfected and the prince had not. Robin was pleased—and no longer surprised—to see that Ian was learning how to participate in her work. She was still impressed thatUlli was willingly teaching the prince. Ian certainly gained trust easily.
Just...she was not sure that she was ready to give him her trust as well.
“Ian!” she called, waiting for a moment when the two had stepped apart. “Peter Cabril is here. Join me.”
Ian nodded to Ulli, wiping his brow as he walked toward Robin.
“Why is he here?” Ian asked as he fell into step beside her.
“I do not know,” Robin said, suddenly realizing that she had no idea why she had invited Ian to join her. “I just...thought you might like to hear whatever news he has from the city.”
Ian nodded.
Lord Cabril was Ashlin’s father. He had also been a member of River’s Talon for longer than Robin herself had been. He had actually been caught and imprisoned by Gareth for several years while his entire family thought he had died in a shipwreck.
This was not his first visit to Lockwood, though he did not travel often. Robin assumed he had news for her concerning Talon matters, but with his connection to Ashlin, he probably also had news of Ian’s family that would be difficult to get elsewhere.
So she had invited Ian to join her.
Ilida led them into the manor and down the hall to Bernard’s study. When she pushed open the door, Robin entered the room to see a gaunt, older man sitting on a chair with a small, red-haired girl on his knee.
Ian entered behind Robin but quickly moved past her. He dropped to his knees in front of the girl, a smile on his face. “Celesta,” he said. At the same time, he lifted his hands over his head and made a large arcing motion. Robin knew that Celesta could not hear, and she assumed the gesture was synonymous with the girl’s name.
Celesta smiled shyly at Ian, clearly recognizing him but still timid.
Ian stood, addressing his next word to the seated man. “Aizel?”
“She is staying with me,” Peter replied. His drooping shoulders and thin frame made him look far older than his actual years, but his bright eyes were sharp. “She wants to remain close to Erich.”
“It is not safe,” Ian said, his voice filled with a frustration that Robin was surprised to hear. “She should have come here as well.”
Robin wondered if Ian was angry over Aizel’s safety or jealous that he himself was not staying closer to the castle.
“It was her choice to make,” Peter said gently. “But we did need to get Celesta somewhere safe and far away from Gareth.”
“She is welcome here,” Robin said, stepping forward to join the conversation.
“And Meena will be delighted to see her again,” Ian added.
“Aizel said the same, knowing that Meena would help Celesta feel at ease,” Peter said.
Robin noticed the young girl’s eyes light up at the sight of someone at the door behind her.
