“How did all that go?” Willow hops up onto one of the counters. He’s more interested in me than starting his duties for the day—more interested in me than scratching Hook’s belly, and that’s saying something.
Hook is not amused by this change in events.
“I…” My hands hover over the basket I was loading. “It was strange. Harrow is fine, or he should be. We’ll know soon.” I quickly recap the events of yesterday, leaving out some key details of intimate family tensions and the odd push and pull going on between Eldas and me. The former I doubt he or Harrow would want me to talk about. The latter I’m not ready to talk about.
“So you met her, Heir Mother Sevenna.”
“Sevenna. Just the name sounds severe.” It suits the brisk woman I met yesterday.
“They call her the castle wraith in town,” Willow confides in me.
“The castle wraith and the ice king. Quinnar certainly has strong opinions of their royal family.”
“Other people’s words, not mine,” Willow adds hastily. “I’ve never interacted with the royal family much, despite being here.”
“You’ve said as much. And even if those were your words, I wouldn’t report you to Eldas.” I give a wink at Willow and watch him relax once more. He flashes one of his earnest smiles. No, I wouldn’t do anything that could harm Willow, not after all he’s done for me.
“She doesn’t leave the castle much. Well, ever. They say she died with the last king and it’s now her ghost that wanders the halls.”
Sevenna must’ve loved the king. Surely she did. Once more I try and find sympathy for her, as hard as it may be.
“I can assure you she’s very real. Oh, speaking of her, she did mention something. Or rather, Eldas did.”
“What?”
“Eldas mentioned that he sent Poppy away and she won’t be back for at least two more months.” I finish gathering the supplies I think I’ll need and proceed to check them twice. “I remember you saying she was on some kind of a trip a while ago… Is it the same one? Is everything all right?”
“He sent her to the Natural World.”
“What?” I gasp softly.
“I thought you knew…” A frown briefly crosses his face. “I’m sorry, I would’ve mentioned it sooner.”
“No, it’s fine. What did he send her for?”
“He was worried about the city across the Fade not having its healer after you left, or that’s what Grandmother told me. It seems a bit odd, if you ask me. I’ve never heard of a king sending aid to your side.”
I pretend to focus on my basket as my insides knot. I remember the conversation we had in the Fade and the fears I confided in him. Here I was going about my days, oblivious to this kindness… I merely figured Poppy was busy elsewhere in Midscape. Why didn’t Eldas say anything?
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” I sling my arm through the basket. “Do you mind watching Hook while I run this errand? If he gets troublesome you can send him off.”
He gasps. “I would never send my Hookie off!” Willow hops from his perch to grab Hook’s face with both hands. “Are you ready? We’re going to figure out those biscuits today. Yes we are. Yes we are.” His puppy talk brings a grin to my face and I depart knowing Hook is in good hands for the time being.
I’m recall the way back to Harrow’s chambers from memory. It’s slow going and I second-guess every step. But the leisurely pace gives me time to think about Eldas’s gesture in sending Poppy back, as well as Sevenna, Harrow, Eldas, and the unconventional family I’ve found myself not quite a part of.
I knock on Harrow’s door and pray Sevenna isn’t there. There’s no response, which I take as a good sign. It’s possible he’s still sleeping.
“Hello?” I say as I crack open the door.
“Is that my brother’s queen?” Harrow rasps.
“And your personal healer,” I respond and shut the door behind me. Someone has cleaned up the room. There’s much less for me to dance around as I make my way to his bed.
“Lucky me,” he says dryly.
“We both have the best luck, it seems,” I retort, just as dry.
“Fair. You had to end up married to my bastard of a brother.”
“He’s not half as much of a bastard as you.”
Harrow snorts and gives me a tired grin as I check on the status of the medicines I left behind. Both