Page 40 of A Dagger in the Ivy

He takes a drink, a charming smile playing on his lips. “It’s like old times, when we would grab food from the kitchens and find a spot where no one could find us.”

“Well, it’s not entirely the same. We never had a layout like this.”

“I guess that’s true.”

“And we didn’t do it that often. Mostly we were running off on adventures, climbing trees and exploring every nook and cranny of the castle grounds.”

He chuckles, a rich, warm sound. “And sometimes you would turn me away, preferring your books, teasing me that I was going to get into trouble. I have to say, I’ve missed those simpler times.”

“It was nice to be carefree. But now”—I release a long breath—“we are betrothed. It feels… surreal.”

Torbin leans back, propping himself up on one elbow, his expression thoughtful. “It does. But I’m glad we have this chance to get to know each other again, to build something real between us. I can’t speak for you, but I would like this relationship to be more than just a political alliance.”

His words are sincere, and I find myself wanting to believe him. “I want that too, Torbin. I want us to work together, to support each other. But it’s all new to me. I mean, the marriage, of course. But also the prospect of uniting two realms.”

“I know,” he says softly, reaching out to take my hand. His touch is warm and reassuring. “I promise you, Celeste, I will do everything in my power to make this work. To make you happy.”

I look into his eyes, seeing the determination there. I don’t know this man anymore. I don’t know what kind of person he’s become in the last twelve years, but for now, I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. “Thank you, Torbin. I appreciate that. And I will do my best to support you as well.”

He squeezes my hand gently. “That’s all I ask. So, tell me, what haveyou been up to all these years? I want to hear everything.”

I smile, feeling a bit more at ease. “Well, where do I begin? There’s been so much…”

As I start to recount my experiences, I find myself relaxing, the weight of our complicated future momentarily lifted by the warmth of the sun and the simplicity of our conversation. For this brief moment, it feels like we are just two old friends, reconnecting and rediscovering each other. Every sentence of our conversation seems to bring us closer together, not just emotionally, but physically. By the time we’ve caught up, we’re only sitting inches apart.

After a while, I lean back on my hands, feeling absolutely stuffed. “I cannot eat another bite. I hope this won’t all go to waste.”

He reaches out and trails a finger up and down my arm. “I will have someone gather it and make sure it is given to families in need.”

“That’s very generous of you.”

He watches me for a while. I force myself not to squirm, feeling like he’s looking into my soul. To a deep, hidden part of me I’m not sure I want him to see.

“Can you guess why this part of the field is like this?” he asks, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The area where we’re seated is slightly dipped compared to the rest of the field, now lush with grass and wildflowers.

I furrow my brow, considering his question. “Hmm, perhaps it was caused by erosion over time?”

Torbin chuckles, shaking his head. “No, nothing quite so mundane, I’m afraid. This spot holds a bit of a legend. Long ago, a dragon fell here, succumbing to the poison hemlock that had overrun this land.”

My mouth falls open, taking in the way the land dips inward. “This is from a dragon?”

“Yes.” Torbin has a wild look on his face. “They say the dragon’s death marked the end of an era, the beginning of a new chapter in Terre Ferique’s history. Sitting here, I can just imagine how the beast crashed into the ground. I wish I could have seen it fall.”

I glance at him, noticing the macabre way he speaks about a livingcreature losing its life. It sends a chill down my spine, reminding me of his cruel treatment of frogs and insects when he was a child. But I brush off the feeling, focusing instead on the magnificent landscape before us.

“Can I ask you a personal question?” His eyes seem to intensify in color.

“Sure.”

“I apologize if this is improper, but I was wondering about your powers.”

My stomach goes cold, as if everything I’ve just eaten has turned to ice. “You asked me last night. Remember?”

“Right. I asked about advantages you might have over the carnoraxis. But don’t fae usually develop a special power, something more than strength and speed and healing?”

My chin drops to my chest. I pluck a wildflower from beside the blanket and pinch the stem between my fingertips. “Yes, usually. But not always.”

“I’ve heard those powers take time to develop.”

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