I blushed, giving him a sheepish smile as I remembered how I had snapped at him, but never regretted doing it. Then I said softly, “Good night, Lord Aegir.”
I heard that snort.
Watching the castle from afar gave me mixed feelings.
A plethora of inconsistent emotions consumed me as we drew nearer and nearer. I couldn’t wait to see Cinnamon. Nadya and Sabi, too. But I wasdefinitelynot looking forward to stale crumbs, Mounir’s wrath, laundry duty, and long days of hunger and backache.
“Lord Aegir?”
His chin grazed my shoulder, and I resisted the urge to turn my face his way. Our lips would have been so close then. “Mmhmm?”
“If I enter the castle now, I won’t be able to see Cinnamon until tomorrow morning.”
“Then we’ll go to her first.”
I let out a shuddering exhale. “Thank you.”
As soon as we made it through the castle gates and into the northeast wing, I saw Sabriela running down the stairs. She waved at us. “Delia!”
I grinned, waving back. Aegir helped me dismount, this time with no hand-gripping tricks.
My organs were squeezed beneath Sabi’s arms. I hugged her back, but only briefly. I grabbed hold of her shoulders and said, “You shouldn’t be out here, you’ll get in trouble.” Aegir left our side and moved towards the carriage, near Joel and Georgious.
“Mounir just entered a meeting with King Belzari. I heard that your horses approached, so I came running.”
That’s great. Mounir will be out of sight for now.
“Come, I have something for you.” I untied my bag and took out one of the candies.
She gasped with excitement, then asked, brow creased, “What is it?”
“They’re calledbones of surprise.” She giggled when I explained the eating instructions.
“Thank you, Delia! Thank you!”
“You’re welcome. Now go, before anyone sees you.” She hid the candy in her dress pocket and rushed back inside.
Aegir approached and I shouldered my bag. I nodded at him. As we were about to leave, another carriage made its way around the corner and stopped closer to the castle gates. Nadya came out of the carriage first. Her arms weren’t long enough for the number of bags she was struggling to carry. Then the three of them gracefully exited, one after the other. Three servants were already by the carriage door with parasols in hand, to protect their perfect skin from the harsh rays of the sun. They lifted their fine dresses and sauntered towards the castle, each shadowed by a trailing servant. The gesture made me look at my own blotted hem.
“Who are they?” Aegir asked.
“Those are the Belzari princesses. The three daughters of Lady Nadania. I’m sure you’ve heard of them by now.” I left out certain details. Like how desired they were, famous for their perfection. Princess Maryam, especially.
“Hmm.” Aegir looked my way and asked, “Shall we go?”
“I hope she’s all right,” I said for the hundredth time.
“I’m sure she is.”
“I hope she’s not mad at me for leaving her alone for so long.”
“I’m sure she’ll forgive you.”
“I hope she doesn’t think that—” Confusion took over when the paddock came into view. “What’s—what’s that? Is that…another fence?” My steps hurried. Aegir followed. “Wait. The paddock…it—it’s connected to the stable now.” That eliminated the need for me to confine Cinnamon in her stall all day. She could go for walks in the paddock as she pleased.
“How?” I managed to choke out.
Aegir shrugged. “Mmm, I have my ways.”
