Wyneth had been up since before the sun, patiently awaiting the moment when Aerity would be awake so she might speak with her. She hurried down the hall with Furball lumbering along behind her on his giant paws—she no longer bothered with the pretense of the rope leash—and hordes of guards in front of Aerity’s wing made a path for them. Wyneth got to Aerity’s chambers just as her maid was coming out with the laundry.
“My lady,” Caitrin said with a curtsy.
Wyneth inclined her head. “Good morning, Caitrin.”
“Wyn!” Aerity’s eyes brightened as she came out of her chambers. And then her eyes bulged at the sight of Furball. “Great raging seas!”
Wyneth rushed in and closed the door behind her. “I know. Try having him sleep in your bed.”
“He doesn’t!”
“He does,” Wyneth admitted. “Let’s just say there’s no need for a fire with this one curled up against your back.”
Aerity did not look like she enjoyed the idea of the beast cub in her bed, but Wyneth didn’t mind. She knew it sounded mad, but he gave her such comfort. She watched him fondly as he nosed his way through her cousin’s room, sniffing everything, his claws clicking and scraping against the wood floor.
“Listen, Aer, I know you’ve got your morning meetings, but I need to speak to you for a moment.” Wyneth paused, wondering if she should bother her cousin with such trivial matters when there were legitimate important issues to be dealt with. “You know what . . . never mind. It can wait.”
“What?” Aerity grabbed her arm. “Don’t you dare pique my curiosity and then say never mind!”
Wyneth loved the glow of interest in Aerity’s eyes, and she wondered if maybe a tiny distraction from the kingdom’s woes might not be such a bad thing. She glanced down the hall. The guard was out of hearing range.
“All right, then, but I’ll make it quick. Yesterday . . .” Wyneth’s mind went into a blur of warmth and confusion and guilt, the swirl of emotions that had kept her tossing and turning all night.
“Well, go on.” Aerity grasped both of Wyn’s hands now.
“Harrison kissed me!” she said in a rush.
Aerity’s face froze, and she rocked back on her heels. Then she gasped, let go of Wyneth’s hands, and slapped her palms over her mouth. Wyneth pressed her lips together, waiting for it.
“Oh, my seas!” Aerity screamed. “It was you all along!”
“What do you mean?” Wyneth laughed as her cousin danced around her, clapping her hands before stopping in front of her.
“The mystery love of Harrison’s life is solved!” Aerity sang. “He told me while we were away together, but I never suspected. What with Breckon . . .”
Both girls lost their smiles. Wyneth couldn’t look at her now. Was it wrong to feel this way for her lost love’s cousin? His best friend?
“Wyn, you don’t need to feel bad. I daresay you’d have Breckon’s blessing.”
Wyneth swallowed the onslaught of stupid tears that threatened. “Perhaps,” she whispered. “And as if things weren’t complicated enough, Lief saw us kissing and acted like a jealous ogre.”
“He has no right!”
Again, Wyneth’s heart felt as if it were stretching and collapsing, like a tug-of-war being played in her chest. The look on Lief’s face . . . She hadn’t wanted to hurt him, but the two of them were never meant to be.
“Do not feel guilty about Lief, Wyn,” Aerity said softly. When Wyneth didn’t respond, the princess went on. “I wasn’t going to tell you this, but now I think I must.”
Oh, no. Wyneth looked into her cousin’s serious eyes, wondering what had happened.
“Lief slept with my maid, Caitrin.”
A bout of nausea kicked Wyneth in the stomach. It made her jealous and sad and disgusted all at once. She shook her head, unsure what to do next. Furball grunted and came over, nudging her hand until she absentmindedly scratched his head.
“I’m sorry,” Aerity said. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No.” Wyneth stood taller. “I’m glad you did. I’ve known all along what Lief is like. He’s not the type to change his ways for any woman. He is who he is, and I was foolish to have allowed affections to grow between us in the first place.” Her heart absolutely ached.
Until she thought of Harrison. That familiar comfort wrapped itself around her like silk. She closed her eyes. He loved her.
“That must have been some kiss.”
When Wyneth opened her eyes, Aerity was watching her, grinning.
“I didn’t think I could ever feel that way again. I mean, I know it hasn’t been long . . . since Breckon was killed, but so much has happened since the summer. Sometimes it feels as if he’s been gone for years.”
They were quiet a moment, and then Wyneth asked, “Will you still marry Lief? Even if your parents . . .” Wyneth shook her head. “No, I know they will return. I’m sorry.”
“I still have to keep my end of the agreement,” Aerity responded quietly. “Ascomanni will make sure of it.” Aerity sighed, making Wyneth wish she could take some of that burden from her cousin’s shoulders.
“Wyn?” Aerity’s eyes looked so much older in that moment. “What if my parents don’t return? I have this terrible feeling.”
She took Aerity’s hands again. “We must continue to hope until we know for certain.”
Aerity turned to stare out at the gray morning. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this. I thought I’d have years to prepare for my role as queen. I feel unqualified.”
Wyneth could not even begin to imagine. “It’s too heavy a burden for you to have to shoulder, Aer, but you’re doing wonderfully. What happened here yesterday was nothing short of a miracle from the seas. I felt a sense of peace and excitement in the air that I haven’t felt since the summer festival, before all this madness began. You must continue to have faith and be strong.”
The weight of the burden didn’t leave Aerity’s frame, but she lifted her chin in a show of strength. “Will you accompany me to the meeting?”
“Aye. I won’t leave your side.”
“Thank you.” They took hands and headed to the door until Aerity pulled her to a stop. “And I’m happy for you. And for Harrison. You deserve each other.”
Wyneth smiled, flushing with warmth. She clicked her tongue. “Come, Furball.”
Together, the three of them left to face the day, whatever it might bring.