out her old nature. And one of the few positives of the townsfolk’s strange attitude was that she had no need to back up her assertive manner with actual courageous action—something I feared would be beyond her. No one in Brylee wanted a confrontation if they could possibly avoid it.
The prince didn’t seem to fit this mold, but he did agree to leave, however reluctant his manner. Only when the front door shut behind him did my tense muscles relax. I’d just arrived at the haven for the day, but all I could think about was getting back out of Brylee.
Would Gabriel head straight for the Keep, or would he linger, hoping to talk to me? I hurried to a window that gave a clear view of the front of the lodge and peered outside.
The prince stood on the street, gazing back at the building with a confused expression. I stepped to the side, out of sight, hoping he hadn’t seen me. A long minute ticked by, as I tried to convince myself not to look again. At last I gave in and peeked, more circumspectly this time.
He was gone.
I took a deep breath and stepped away from the window. Should I leave it for half an hour before making my escape, or was I better off seizing the moment now?
“Lady? Are you all right?”
I started at Cora’s words. I had forgotten she was still there. The smile I managed to summon must not have been a good one because she crossed over to me, her eyes full of concern.
“You know that we’re all here for you, right? That you’re always welcome to stay…” She paused, the lines of concern on her face deepening. “You know there’s a bed for you here, don’t you?”
My smile softened, becoming more real. I squeezed her arm and nodded, hoping she could read the gratitude in my eyes. Of course I knew. And I wished more than anything that I could stay in my room here, as I had for three years, before—
I sighed. I couldn’t stay tonight, any more than I had been able to stay any nights of the past two years. And I couldn’t explain it to her either—and not just because I no longer had a voice.
I pulled my hood back up over my face. Better I go now, while Gabriel was distracted. Otherwise he might circle back and start asking uncomfortable questions.
“Lady!” A querulous voice called for my attention as shuffling footsteps sounded from the passage. “Where have you been?”
An elderly man came into view, hunched and with receding hair. A moment later a tiny woman followed him, shrunken by age but still straight-backed.
“Sorry, Lady,” she said with a bright smile. “He’s cantankerous today.”
“I’ll show you cantankerous!” he said, in what was clearly meant to be a growl although it sounded scratchy and thin.
He took off after her, moving painfully slowly, and she sidestepped him neatly, her joints less worn than his.
“I could do this for hours.” She cackled and side stepped again.
A smile crept across my face as I watched them make their slow way around the entry. After more than sixty years together, they still acted like courting youngsters.
Cora rolled her eyes and muttered that she was leaving me to deal with them before hurrying off toward the kitchen. Vilma made another attempt to outpace her husband, only to be caught by his reaching hands. As he wrapped his arms around her, she winked at me from under his arm.
I bit back my smile, assuming a serious expression as Gregor turned back to me, keeping one arm around his wife.
“You haven’t been near us for two days, and everything is out of order,” he said. “I can’t find my cushion—the one that eases the ache in my back.”
“Can’t find? And whose fault would that be? You’ve put it in some nonsensical place, I don’t doubt.” Vilma shook her head. “We’re lost without you, Lady, dear.”
I cast a single glance toward the window before offering them each one of my arms. It was true I usually visited them every day in the wing of the haven reserved for the elderly residents, but I had run out of time yesterday. So I couldn’t walk away now—not when I had no words to offer them an explanation.
As she leaned on me for support, Vilma whispered, “Never mind about the cushion, dear, but the roof’s leaking again, I’m afraid. I don’t like to further burden Cora, but I’m afraid we’re going