turned back to Fotia and sank to the ground, whispering in her ear.
Bastian made his way back up to the castle proper. He paused outside the throne room. "Can you send someone to fetch Elinor?" he asked one of the healers. Or guards. Whatever they were.
The man ignored him, looking straight through Bastian.
"Did you hear me?" Bastian asked again, the anger boiling. He'd sworn not to erupt at these men. They were there to protect him, after all, but their disregard was baffling. He clenched his fists at his sides, forcing himself not to grab the man by the collar and throw him up against the wall. Instead, he turned to the second guard. "Can you please fetch Elinor?"
That man blinked twice. Other than that, not even an acknowledgment.
Bastian was about to scream at them when he heard someone approaching from behind. He whirled around. Elinor scurried down the hall, her black cape flapping behind her. She wore a blue gown and her muddied black boots.
"Are we ready to go? Did Connor agree?" she asked, breathless. "Sorry, it's a bit of a hike from the castle to my rooms at the Healer's Guild. I ran most of the way."
"How did you know I was just starting to look for you?" Bastian asked, escorting her into the throne room. He closed the doors behind him, giving the two guards a nasty look. Not that they saw him, or would have even acknowledged him if they did.
"I didn't," Elinor said. "I took a nap. I woke up. I came back. I'd rather be here with you than back at the guild. I feel like I have a purpose now." She wrung her hands together, her ivory cheeks pink. "I always knew I'd be a healer, but now, there's more. There's a reason. I saved you and look what it led to. It was the best decision I've made."
Bastian smiled. He couldn't help it. She was the sweetest woman he'd met. Her emotional honesty was refreshing.
"Connor said he'd meet us up here as soon as he was ready." Bastian put a hand on Elinor's shoulder. "Are you nervous about flying?"
Elinor gulped. "A little. Partly scared witless and another part is more excited than I've ever been about anything before." She slipped her hand into Bastian's. "But if you survived the ride here, then I won't die."
"Probably," Bastian said with a shrug.
Her eyes grew wide. "Probably?"
"I'm teasing you." Bastian chuckled. "You'll be fine. But we have one important thing to decide before Connor gets here. Do you want to ride in front of me with my arms around you or do you want to ride behind me with your arms around me?"
Elinor tapped her chin. "I don't know. Which is safer?"
"Why don't you ride in front of me?" Bastian asked. "That way you can see everything. If you're behind me, I'll block the view."
Elinor gulped again. Before she could protest, Connor flew in the window at the other end of the room. He landed gracefully on the floor and bent on one knee.
"Ready?" Bastian asked Elinor, tugging on her hand.
She nodded.
"It will be amazing, I promise. We'll find the villagers, learn what their plan is, collect my daughter, Connor’s boys and Hazel, and then we'll come right back to the castle."
Bastian helped Elinor climb up Connor's leg and onto his back. Bastian hoped it really would be that simple. He'd already gone through so much. What else could happen?
Chapter Twenty-Five
Three women burst into Tressa's chambers, their arms overflowing with colorful bolts of fabric, spilling over their arms, dripping to the floor like a jewel-laden waterfall.
"You're to be married tonight, my lady," the first woman said. She swooped to the pillows, sitting next to Tressa, and thrusting silken samples into Tressa's hands. Her long black hair, braided and speckled with beads of every color, set off her mocha skin. "Which do you prefer?"
"Married tonight?" Tressa's hand flew to her mouth. He'd done it. Jarrett had come through just like he’d promised.
"Yes, my lady. Your betrothed has commanded it. I am the royal dressmaker, Adara." She pointed to the two pale women who stood quietly in the corner. "They are my assistants. I will measure you and have a gown made in time for the ceremony."
Tressa felt overwhelmed by the choices. "I don't know." She trailed her fingers over the fabric in her lap. In Hutton's Bridge, they wore their normal clothes when married. Many women were in maternity outfits by then since a wedding was