Chapter Twenty-One
A few weeks have passed and although I was skeptical at first, I’ve settled into a nice routine. Hadeon has left me to my own devices, at least until he gets word of my betrothed’s arrival. It’s allowed me to catch up with Licia, spend countless hours alongside Thaliya in the healer’s ward, and even steal moments alone with Thaddeus.
Which is exactly where I’m headed. He’s been busy in the evenings and late into the nights, so he sleeps well into the morning. This works in my favor as I’ll spend all morning with Thaliya while the majority of the court sleeps into the afternoon. That, along with the way the halls to the healer’s ward are often abandoned, makes the small office where I first spotted Thaddeus practicing alone, the perfect place to meet.
His usual playful melody isn’t filling the hallway as I approach. I take a seat in the high-backed chair looking out the wall-to-ceiling windows. The windows overlook the entrance of the castle but today all is quiet. The temperatures fell in the night and a slight frost like I’ve never seen covers the grounds, invoking a sense of peace as nothing moves outside except the occasional guard switching duty or making a round. The peaceful scene settles over me as well, but just as quickly, Thaddeus comes into the room shattering the newfound peace.
He hurries into the room and closes the distance between us in three wide strides. I move to wrap my arms around him, but I can tell something is off. His eyes burn with something. Love? Determination?
Oh.
He kneels on one knee beside my chair and grasps both my hands in his. Is he going to propose? I didn’t think we were here yet, but if he wants to save me from an Etos king, who am I to say no?
Seeing Thaddeus on his knees before me warms me from within. But there’s something else, something different. His eyes are wide and his body hums with a frantic energy.
“Thaddeus?” I place my hands gently on either side of his face, trying to send some of the peace I felt moments before into him.
“I’m sorry, Princess. Things are moving much too quickly.” I’m taken aback by his statement.
He’s the one down on one knee, right?
I thought we were just enjoying each other’s company. Not love, just two bodies becoming one for a time and then going about their business. And maybe some other feelings, but love?
Seeing my reaction, he moves to clarify. “Things between us? I’ve enjoyed every second, but I—”
He bends forward gently brushing his lips against my own. I’ve yet to see him at a loss for words. I keep my hands on either side of his face and try to prolong the moment, knowing whatever he’s about to say will change this perfect bubble I’ve wrapped us in.
“I didn’t want to tell you so soon, but things are moving swiftly. I’ve word that your betrothed made it across the Caldertasi Sea as if the stars themselves directed the winds. Between this and—other reasons—we’re out of time.” He looks from my eyes to my lips as if trying to decide if his important news can wait just a moment—or ten.
With a wince he presses on. “I have something I must share with you. And I don’t think you’re going to like it.”
The urgency of his words and the wild look in his eyes causes me to falter. “What could you possibly say to upset me? And how do you know my betrothed is so close?”
He stands and paces back and forth between the window and me. The bright frost-filled scene behind him back lights his silhouette causing him to look blessed by the stars. Tension radiates from his body and his muscles flex through his fitted black shirt and even tighter black leather pants. He ruffles his twisted hair atop his head and comes back toward me, this time sitting in the seat across from me.
“Roe, I need you to hear me when I tell you this. I know we’ve only known each other a few weeks, but this is important. I care about you.” He looks at me with his hand still in his hair, waiting for my response.
Is he really going to propose? I can see us riding off into the night, going from village to village listening to his moving songs each night and spending each morning in his arms. I have to say, we haven’t known each other that long and haven't done too much in the way of talking, but it’d be quite an adventure. To disappear, with his instrument on his back and me in his arms paints a thrilling picture. And certainly, a better option than being shipped across the sea to Etos, where I understand they’ve taken a page out of Father’s book and spend their days raiding and killing.
“Roe, focus.” He snaps his fingers in front of my face in urgency. “I need you to stay with me.”
“I’m listening.” I sit up a bit taller, trying but failing to match his energy. But something’s off. Instead, I wipe the nervous sweat from my hands onto my dress. My heart blooms with my feelings for him and I try to keep him from noticing the shake in my hands. I wait, thrilled to hear his next words.
“Rowandine Aeronwick.”
The way he says my name rather than calling me ‘Princess’ has me lean into his next words, a smile growing on my lips. He worries his bottom lip between his teeth for a moment, forming his next words. I notice the creases in his forehead. He doesn’t look like a man worried about a proposal.
And then he surprises me completely.