She was not the first to wake. Cass had already stoked a fire. The tall woman now stood at the end of the large table that dominated the space closest to the crackling hearth. Her cerulean eyes turned up at Vhalla’s sock-muffled footsteps.

“Good morning,” she said softly, clearly still mindful that most of the people in the home were still in the depths of slumber.

“Good morning, Cass.” Vhalla smiled, meeting the other woman’s kind and toothy look.

“Did you sleep alright?” she asked as Vhalla joined her at her side.

“I did,” Vhalla affirmed. She assumed the space next to the woman as one of Cass’s sister’s would, beginning to slice some of the root vegetables. Vhalla winced as she tested out what sort of pressure her shoulder could withstand.

Cass noticed, but kept silent about Vhalla’s pain.

“I hope we’re not putting your family out too much.” Vhalla noted the quantity of food they were being forced to prepare.

“Don’t worry.” Cass shook her head. “It’s nice to have Fritz home. It’s not every day that we have a prince with us either.”

Smiling to herself, Vhalla slipped the knife through another potato. She remembered being awe-struck and dazed at the notion of being near royalty. There was a time when just proximity to Aldrik could fluster her. Now she spoke with him without thought. She had no qualms when it came to scolding him or encouraging him to do something he may otherwise not consider.

Then there was Baldair. He had flustered her also. It had been his flirtations, then his misguided protection, and somehow at the end he was as good as a brother. The idea that he was gone still rested cold in her core. Vhalla sighed softly, her knife paused.

“You’ve been through a lot.” It was not a question. Vhalla looked up at the Charem girl. “We all know the story. We heard it not long after the Night of Fire and Wind. You were the low born library girl turned sorceress who rode with princes.”

“Was I?” Vhalla asked softly. She supposed some of it was still true.

“You tell me,” Cass laughed. “In any case, it is an honor to meet you. Gwen had a mouse she found in the spring that she named after you.”

“What?”

“I think she lost it.” The elder girl coughed and glanced away. “But for girls like us, you are the impossible dream.”

“It still feels impossible,” Vhalla mused softly. “In some ways, it was a dream.”

“Reona and I were planning on heading into town today.” Cass passed her another potato. “Would you like to join us?”

“That sounds nice.” Vhalla nodded. She needed to see how she fared on a horse, and a small practice ride sounded like a smart idea before pushing to the capital.

“I’m going to get her up soon. We should leave early to make it back before nightfall. Reona can linger,” Cass explained. “I wanted to get breakfast started before we went off.”

“You’re a good big sister, aren’t you?” Vhalla grinned, dumping some of her chopping into the large pot that was used.

“I try.” She chuckled. “Fritz left when he was young, so I knew I had to look out for the girls. Speaking of, I’ll go rouse Reona.”

Vhalla finished while Cass disappeared up the ladder and into the loft beyond. She hummed softly to herself, trying to remember the mix of spices that she’d seen Nia put in the morning before. A flap of canvas distracted her, and she was surprised to see Elecia emerge.

“You’re up?” Vhalla arched her eyebrows in surprise.

“Thanks to the boys,” Elecia grumbled.

“Sorry.”

“I blame you completely.” The dark-skinned woman crossed the room, placing her hands on the opposite side of the table. Her voice dropped, and she cut to something that had clearly been on her mind since their first night at the Charem’s. “Did Aldrik share your bed at the palace?”

“No.” Vhalla looked back to the spices. “He was engaged to someone other than me.”

“That seems to have changed yesterday.”

“Before yesterday.” Vhalla touched the watch around her neck.

“Since the North? Truly?” Elecia put it together quickly. Vhalla nodded. “My, you two really don’t give a damn about his father, do you?” There was an appreciative note to her words.

“Not really.” Vhalla shrugged, instantly regretting the motion.

“How is it?” Elecia caught the look of pain.

“Not bad, considering,” Vhalla answered honestly. “Thank you truly, Elecia. I would’ve died without you.”

“Yes, you would’ve.” Elecia shook her head dramatically. “You’re unlikely to stay in one piece without me being near.”

“Seems so.” Vhalla glanced up at the loft when she heard the creaking of wood. “I’m going into town with the girls, test out riding.”

“Good idea.” Elecia nodded, watching Reona and Cass descend the ladder. “Aldrik will regret it if he’s not there to perform the Rite of Sunset for Baldair.”

The thought hadn’t occurred to Vhalla, but she instantly knew it was true. Aldrik would never let a crone perform the rite. It would be his flames to send Baldair into the realms of the Father.