Page 76 of Winds of Ruin
He was right.
Why hadn’t I thought of that?
“How did you know where this tunnel would lead us?”
He quirked a brow. “Do you think you’re the first young Princess to use these passageways to sneak out?”
I scrunched up my nose, not letting myself linger on the implication of his words. It wasn’t always easy to imagine my mother as a girl, much less her sneaking around with the boy who had turned into the man before me.
I hummed and then said, “You lead the way, then.”
I’d visited Angeline countless times in recent weeks—some days she looked well, others she looked near death. Aunt El’s face turned pale whenever I mentioned her, and she’d make light of it, saying,She’ll be up and baking again any day.
I could feel her fear whenever I asked her to come with me—she could not lose another friend. So, she’d stayed clear of the cottage, hoping for things to right themselves.
When we reached the Faulkers’, King Mattock’s father leaned over a garden bed, cutting back dead, frostbitten crops.
The King stood there, yards away, watching his father in silence; his warring emotions pulled at my senses—joy, sadness, loss, relief, grief.
As though feeling the weight of our gaze, Leo turned. The old man’s face dropped in shock. The sheers clattered to the ground, and his hands covered his chest.
“Papa,” the King said and approached.
I stayed put, not wanting to interrupt their reunion. Leo took Emmerick’s offered arm and rose. Before he could say more, his son locked him in a bear-like embrace.
I imagined a day when maybe Dritan would get the same treatment—when he would have this family he so deserved.
“Your mother…” Leo started.
The King nodded. “I know that she’s ill. Can I see her?”
“Let me check if she is awake. I’ll prepare her before you enter. I don’t want to give her a shock,” Leo said and hurried off into the cottage.
Mattock glanced over at me. “Do you have anywhere to sneak off to today, Princess?”
I shook my head.
“And by now, you have your father’s Shadow-traveling abilities?”
I nodded, not sure where he was going with this.
“Good, then stick around—have some tea. And if you are willing, I’d like your help to surprise your aunt next.”
I didn’t need to ask which aunt.“I’d love nothing more,” I answered with a smile.
We entered the cottage, and Leo told us Angeline was awake. As the King and his mother had their reunion, I helped myself to the teakettle on the hearth.
My mood lightened further while listening to the happy bawls of mother and son.
“My boy!” Her muffled exclamation through the door made my eyes burn.
Their joy washed over me like the first summer rain in the Sahlms.
Chapter 33
Elsedora
It was almost noon, and gray clouds threatened more snow. The weather had further put a damper on my will to leave the estate. That, and the headache left in the wake of overconsuming port by the fire the night prior. Worth it for the distraction.
