Chapter 50
Quiétude
CLAIRE
Tiny snowflakes swirled in the crisp evening air, catching on tree branches and blanketing the world in a powdery white. It was quiet. And still. Just how I liked it. I didn’t know how many more moments like this we would have. Not where we were headed.
I leaned my head against Bastien’s shoulder, sighing contentedly as we made our way up the hill.
Normally, he would be riding with the guard.
But today, he decided to ride in the carriage with me.
One arm wrapped around my shoulders, the other splayed protectively over my stomach.
I didn’t know how to tell him what it meant to me. To have this. To have him.
The coach lurched to a stop, and I pulled back the curtains, excited to see a familiar sod roof and little chimney puffing smoke.
When the door was opened, the scent of pine and burning wood drifted in.
I took a deep breath, letting the familiar smell wrap around me, the memory of our last visit filling my chest with a bittersweet ache.
Bastien’s fingers stretched into my hair, and he pulled me into a kiss. “Are you ready?” he asked against my mouth.
I nodded excitedly. This was the reunion I’d been waiting a long time for. Bastien exited the coach first, then held out a hand for me, ready to help me down the stairs.
A gust of wind lashed at my face as I slid my gloved hand into his.
Snowflakes were already tangling in his hair, his pale blue eyes bright against the winter landscape.
Months ago, I would’ve shivered. But now, lit from within by my own fire, I barely felt the chill.
That didn’t stop Bastien from settling a thick cloak around my shoulders and pulling me against him.
A sign that read, “Tooth and Hare” greeted us.
Along with a short witch. Her apron was dirty, and her red hair was pinned in a messy bun atop her head.
I was sure she made plenty of jokes about the girl who threatened her with a fire poker.
But that was fine by me. Her kindness had confronted my worldview and was one of the sparks that changed my life.
“Rabbit stew for your companions, and thick red wine for you, Your Grace!” Shreesa held the door while we stomped our snowy boots on the mat. “I heard a rumor that they’re making you the High Prince?” she exclaimed, patting the side of Bastien’s face like he was just a little boy.
He offered her a smile even though I knew he was not happy about his new role and likely wished she hadn’t brought it up. “I want to know where you heard this horrible rumor.”
She laughed and closed the door behind us like we were old friends. The heat from the fire and the aroma of hearty stew were inviting.
“Stay as long as you like, Your Grace.” Shreesa glanced at me and offered me a friendly smile. “And who is this lovely young woman? Your new wife?”
My throat closed, and speech became too much. Bastien spoke for me. “Yes. This is the Lady Claire Allard.”
“Well, isn’t that wonderful?” She admired my red hair. “And a Witch of the Darkness no less. What an honor to have you here, m’lady. Please, take a seat. I’ll get your supper.”
She gestured to the long trestle tables while she disappeared into the kitchen, and I took a seat on the bench, feeling empty. After working this moment up in my head, I’d expected more. I swore she’d at least remember my face.
The door opened, and our traveling companions streamed inside.
Tansy. Sir Gavin. Mellie. The sixteen-year-old girl we’d found in the caverns.
We were taking her to the capital as our ward after a long conversation with Tansy.
I hoped coming to Shreesa’s was a good first step on her journey to expand her understanding of the world.
She, however, wanted nothing to do with Bastien or me.
She purposefully chose a seat at the other end of the tavern.
“Destinee is on Mellie watch,” Bastien explained as the former commander of Bastien’s cavalry took the seat across from the girl. “She won’t be getting into any trouble while we’re here.”
The rest of our riders followed after them. Our guard and the loyal attendants Bastien had asked to accompany him to the capital.
A trencher of steaming hot stew was placed in front of me, and I drew in a giant breath of it. “This is exactly what I’ve been craving,” I told Bastien, picking up my fork and spearing a carrot. “No one makes stew like Shreesa.” He watched me eat with mild amusement. “What?”
“It’s just good to see you eating again. For a while, I was worried.”
For the last two weeks, food had not agreed with me. And because of my weakened state, Bastien had gone on his own hunger strike. But now, I couldn’t seem to stop eating. Something in him had shifted as well.
“Later?” he asked. Brows inclined. One word and I was nearly ready to set down my fork.
My body still rode on the edge of desire, especially when he looked at me like that, but it no longer controlled me.
Now that I’d become the rightful carrier of this generational power, the magick that I’d inherited flourished under his attention.
Every once in a while, I still heard Gorrath’s gruff voice in my head, but thankfully, he held his tongue more often than not.
“Later,” I replied, shoving another carrot in my mouth.
The smile on his face faded. “What is it?” I asked.
He brushed back one of the curls Tansy had put in my hair and tucked it behind my ear. “I’m just trying to memorize this moment. Exactly as it is. I never want to forget how beautiful you look right now.”
It was the kind of declaration that warmed me from the inside out better than magick ever could. The only thing absent was his emotions. Ever since Marius doled out Bastien’s punishment, he’d been keeping a guard around his feelings.
I finished my meal in relative peace. It was good to be out of the carriage. But every time Shreesa bustled by, I couldn’t help but feel the tiniest bit disappointed. As time passed, Bastien and I entertained members of his guard. Soon, the crowd began to thin.
“I’m ready for bed,” I admitted, stifling a yawn. Full. Warm. And ready to spend a night with my husband in a real bed.
“Should we give Shreesa our gift now? Or wait until the morning?” Bastien asked.
I stuck my hand in my pocket and fished out the shell Gorrath had given me. Shreesa might not remember who I am, but I didn’t want to make her wait a night to receive this relic just because I was disappointed.
“I think I’d like to give it to her now.”
Bastien lifted my hand to his cold lips and pressed a kiss against my knuckles. “As my lady wishes.”
He waved down the elderly witch, and she took the seat across from us. “How was the meal?”
“Wonderful,” I offered. “Truly delicious.”
She beamed. “And the wine?”
Bastien eyed his tin cup, which was just as full as when she poured it. “Excellent, as always, Shreesa.”
“Then what can I do for you?”
Bastien deferred to me. I drew in a breath and stuck out my hand, offering her the shell. “We brought this back for you. A gift.”
Her watery eyes widened as she graciously took the little shell in her hands. Stroking it as if relishing the power. “Your Grace. You remembered us?”
“Actually,” Bastien said, “It was my wife who procured this relic for you. From Gorrath himself.”
Shreesa’s attention shifted back to me. “You got this from Gorrath?”
I nodded, a dim smile forming. “Yes. I remember that you had lost your last relic in an attack by the Witches of the Light.”
Shreesa leaned forward, as if seeing me for the first time. Her eyes bounced from mine to the thick scars around my neck, then to my hair. “Wait a moment. You-you’re not the girl with the cursed choker, are you? The one who came as His Grace’s sanguine partner, are you?”
I nodded, so relieved and grateful that she did remember me. “Yes. That was me.”
“Well, I’ll be,” Shreesa said. “Look at you now. I didn’t recognize you.”
Heat collected in my cheeks. “My hair is different.”
She shook her head. Her bun lolling from side to side as she did. “No. Not just the hair. It’s everything. Your aura. Your voice, even. You’re a completely different person.”
I knew by the way she smiled at me that she believed the change was for the better. A sense of relief washed over me, knowing that I had been memorable to her.
“I understand now,” I told her. “What you were trying to tell me. What I was too afraid to see.” I set my hand on my chest. “It’s the heart of the witch that matters, not the source of her magick.
” A lesson I learned the hard way. “I’m very sorry for the way I behaved last time I was here. For threatening you with—”
Shreesa’s face softened. “There’s nothing to forgive. I’m very, very proud of you.”
A tear slipped down my cheek, and I quickly swiped it away. These stupid hormones were to blame.
Bastien was watching us, a small smile playing on his lips. “So am I.”
“You shouldn’t have any more problems from the Prideaux witches,” I said, trying to stop myself from crying. “No one will be coming for your magick any time soon.”
“All the same, I’ll keep this one safe.” She tucked it inside her apron.
“Now, you’ve been on the road for days. You and His Grace should head to the bathhouse.
I’ll have the temperature adjusted so you don’t overheat your blood.
” She wagged a finger at me. “Women in your condition shouldn’t sit too long in hot water. ”
I eyed her suspiciously.
“Don’t look at me like that. I can always tell when a woman is with child.”
Bastien and I exchanged looks. “On my honor, I’ll ensure she doesn’t get too overheated.”
She handed Bastien the key to the bathhouse. “See that you do.”