Chapter 11 #2
His eyes sparkled, watching me. ‘So, does this mean we are forgiven?’
‘You are. If Torgrin wants my forgiveness, then he will need to apologise.’ I could sense Atlas’s eyes on me as we turned down a wide corridor with many doors.
‘How was your meeting with Lord Warwick?’ he asked.
‘I assume you knew of his plans for me, and why?’
‘Yes.’ Two lines appeared between his brows.
‘Then you can probably understand why I’m feeling overwhelmed and underprepared for what he needs from me,’ I said, then sighed.
‘Whatever you need to make this easier, you just have to ask.’ He stopped me with a brief touch on my arm. His words and touch triggered a memory I couldn’t quite place.
‘I’m happy you are here,’ I admitted to him.
‘Then here I’ll be.’ He smiled, and I couldn’t help but smile back.
‘Thank you.’ Studying Atlas’s earnest face, I somehow felt like I had known him my entire life.
Guards were stationed outside the Warwick family’s private chambers. Atlas gave them a nod, and they opened the carved double doors.
The room was full of daybeds, overstuffed cushions and colourful rugs. Books and toys were scattered around.
The two young women in the room sat across from each other – one was reading a book on a daybed, and the other eating a honey cake.
Perched on a large window seat was the raven-haired boy who had jumped excitedly on the balcony above the arena.
He was half out of his seat with one foot braced on the ground.
His mouth dropped open as he spotted us.
‘I’ve never seen Wolfe so still,’ said Atlas. ‘It must be because I’m so handsome and brave!’
The young woman with the cake giggled, and Atlas beamed at her, causing her to fumble and drop her cake on the rug below. Her full cheeks turned as crimson as the rug.
‘Oh, Ania, you really are a pig,’ her sister said with an eye roll.
I felt sorry for Ania, who hurriedly picked up the honey cake and did her best not to look at anyone. Bethel rolled her eyes again as she lounged back on the daybed, her book discarded next to her.
All three siblings looked very much alike – dark hair and piercing green eyes. Ania had a soft vulnerable look to her appearance, not too dissimilar from Lord Warwick, while Bethel’s features were more refined and almost haughty.
Wolfe snapped out of his shock and took a running jump at Atlas.
‘Would you like to meet my new friend?’ Atlas asked as he caught the boy with ease. The boy nodded furiously. ‘Caris, this is Wolfe. He is four and loves girls.’
‘I am eight! And I don’t like girls at all!’ he said, his little round face scrunching up.
‘Well, I’m sorry to hear that,’ I said. ‘I had hoped we could be friends.’
The boy wriggled in Atlas’s arms, wanting to be put down. Atlas set the boy back on his feet, and Wolfe came to stand in front of me.
He had to tip his head back to meet my eyes. ‘I like you because you have a sword and the most magnificent horse. I don’t like girls who just want to talk and read and never play with me.’ His little nose pinched as he looked over at his sisters.
I smiled down at him. ‘If you want to be friends, I would be happy to take you for a ride on my horse.’ I watched as the boy’s eyes shone with absolute joy.
‘Oh, you are good, Caris,’ Atlas remarked. ‘She knows that the way to a man’s heart is an enjoyable ride, eh, Wolfe?’
Atlas grunted when I jabbed him in the ribs with my elbow. I couldn’t believe he just said that to an eight-year-old child!
‘Would you like something to eat or drink? We have peppermint tea?’ Ania asked shyly from the settee.
My stomach growled at the mention of food. I had missed breakfast because I had stomped out before I could eat, and now it was past the midday meal.
‘I would, thank you.’ The youngest of Lord Warwick’s offspring became attached to my side as I walked over to the settee. Atlas flopped down next to me, and Wolfe squeezed himself between us.
Ania held up a platter covered with jam tarts.
I smiled at her and took the plate, ignoring Bethel’s raised brow.
I balanced the tarts on my knees carefully, not wanting to lose one off the side of the plate.
My stomach growled as I ate, and I got through most of them before I realised everyone was watching me.
‘Did you want one?’ I asked Atlas guiltily. I hadn’t left many. He shook his head, gesturing for me to carry on.
‘You sure do eat a lot!’ Wolfe exclaimed.
‘Hush, Wolfe!’ Ania scolded him.
I gave her back the leftover tarts and took the teacup she had filled for me. I drank the tea down in one go, washing all the crumbs away.
‘She doesn’t just look like a man, she behaves like one,’ Bethel snorted.
‘What’s wrong with that?’ Wolfe asked, coming to my defense.
‘Nothing,’ Atlas said, leaning back on the settee and putting an arm casually around my shoulders.
‘Well, she’s hardly going to be believable as my lady-in-waiting in Capita, is she?’
Bethel had a point. I hadn’t worn a dress since childhood, having grown up under the care of a soldier for almost a decade.
‘We can work on that tomorrow. It will be great fun!’ said Ania. ‘We can teach you everything you need to know, and commission you a new wardrobe. You would look beautiful in a red dress with your colouring, or even blue to emphasise your pretty grey eyes.’
I liked Ania. She was nothing like her sister.
‘I don’t know, I’m partial to the breeches,’ Atlas admitted. Everyone ignored him.
‘Hmm, maybe if they can make a dress big enough?’ Bethel’s green eyes narrowed at me.
I had to remind myself that I was here to protect, not harm, Lord Warwick’s offspring.