He smirks. “I was wondering why you hadn’t pulled out one of those daggers I fixed up for you.”
My jaw opens, then I close it, not trusting my own response. Thatwashim. He changed my name on the dagger, then gifted it back to me.
He stands, then leaves the room. I don’t have time to consider why he left or what I think of anything he told me before he returns with a blanket in hand. He drapes it over my lap. “I’m guessing you’re sleeping here tonight.”
“Yes.”
“If you’d let me, you can wake me when you’re tired, and I’ll sit with her so you can sleep,” he offers.
“I’m fine,” I tell him.
“Of course you are.” He smiles. “You’re always fine, aren’t you?”
Anya makes a little sound, and I turn to her. Her brow furrows slightly, and she whimpers. I smooth her hair gently. “I’m here. Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere.”
When I look back at the doorway, Caiden is gone. I stay where I am, holding Anya’s hand while I settle into the chair. I know I’ll fall asleep eventually, but I’ll be right here the second she opens her eyes, and that’s all that matters.
Thirty-Seven
Sabina
Sunlight streaming in through the window wakes me and I groan as I straighten from my uncomfortable slouched position. As soon as I remember why I’m sleeping in a chair, my eyes snap open to check on Anya. She’s still sleeping, eyes still swollen, face still scarred and red. My shoulders slump. I was hoping she was waking. Or that it wasn’t real.
“Good morning, Your Majesty,” the matron enters the room with a basket of vials and cloths. A younger woman follows her with a bucket of water in her hands. Her eyes widen when she sees me, and she lowers her head into a bow.
“This is my apprentice, Yasmin,” the matron says.
“Nice to meet you, Yasmin,” I say.
“Your Majesty,” she replies.
“Do you mind if we check on her?” The matron asks.
I set Anya’s hand down on the bed next to her, then rise from my seat. “I’ll be in the other room if you need me.”
Caiden is washed and in fresh clothing. The slice across his cheek shimmers from whatever salve was smeared across it. “How is she?”
“The same.” I cross my arms over my chest, feeling underdressed in my nightgown and robe. “I forgot to ask something.”
“Go on.”
“How did you get back here with her? If this happened at the tower, beyond the castle, how did you get here? And why? Why not go to the castle instead?” It was something that had been swimming in my mind last night, a piece of a puzzle that made no sense.
“I should have taken her to the castle,” he admits. “But she was conscious at first, and none of the swelling showed until two days later, after we passed the castle.”
“Did she insist on returning to me?” My chest tightens. If I lose her because she wasn’t taking care of herself…
“No, that was my fault. I told you nothing would happen to her, that I’d return her to you safely.” He shakes his head. “I should have waited to bring her to you until she was recovered, but I wanted to show you that I can be a man of my word.”
“You were trying to impress me?” I ask.
“I went there to retrieve her. To bring her back to you,” he says. “Whatever happens to her, you blame me. I shouldn’t have sent her there in the first place.”
“Your Majesties, come quick,” Yasmin calls from the doorway, her face alight with hope.
I move so quickly, I nearly run into the young woman, and she jumps to the side to avoid me. I wince. “Sorry.”
“It’s alright. Go. She’s awake.” Yasmin gestures toward the bed.
