Pepin stands a few paces away.
He is tall. Broad-shouldered like his father. His back curves forward slightly, the hunch unmistakable now that he is grown. His face is…pleasant, if one looks only briefly. But there is something in his eyes that makes my skin prickle. Something familiar, too familiar.
“Queen Fastrada,” he says lightly. “You walk alone.”
I bow my head and try to calm my racing heart.
“Pardon me, I will leave you to your solitude,” I reply.
“I was not looking for solitude,” Pepin shoots back.
I try to smile. “Truly, I do not wish to disturb you. I was just leaving.”
“You are not,” he says, still smiling as he steps closer.
A rumble drifts through my body, like a heavy stone landing in still water. A noise from deep inside me, a guttural sound from the depths within. Sweat forms on my top lip, I can taste it.
I remain silent, sometimes it is best to wait and act later.
Pepin stretches and begins loosening the fastenings of his tunic.
I turn away at once.
“Don’t fret,” he says. “It’s only a swim.”
“What a wonderful idea, I will leave you to it,” I say breathlessly.
I turn away, but he jumps forward and grabs my arm.
“You can’t leave yet,” he rasps. “I won’t allow it.”
From this close, I can smell the liquor on his breath.
My heart thuds.
Then another voice cuts in, lazy and amused. “Careful, Pepin. You’re making a poor first impression.”
Tassilo emerges from the trees, Brice at his side.
Relief floods me so fast it nearly makes me dizzy.
Pepin snorts.
“Still hiding behind shadows, Tassilo? Or behindhim?” He gestures crudely toward Brice. “Is that still what you prefer?”
I understand then, all at once. What Tassilo meant when he spoke of loves that must remain unseen.
Tassilo only laughs. His gaze flicks briefly to Pepin’s half-undressed state.
“You’re very brave to speak like that,” he says pleasantly, “considering howlittlethere is to boast about.”
Brice snorts.
Pepin’s face darkens. He snarls something under his breath and, with a sharp motion, dives into the lake, water exploding around him.
Tassilo takes my arm at once. “Come.”
We walk away without looking back.
