Page 69 of A Dagger in the Ivy

“You’re homesick.” She frowns. “As am I. Don’t get me wrong—I’m having a rather pleasant time. You know how much I love attention. But nothing quite feels as welcoming as home, does it?”

Relief floods me. I let my shoulders relax. “Yes.” I clear my throat. “It’s been a hard adjustment. But don’t worry. I’m sure my blue mood will pass.”

“If there’s anything I can do, just let me know.”

“You’re a true friend.” My own words sting me. IfIwere a true friend, I would tell her everything I was thinking. I would tell her about my wandering spells. I would ask her for advice about my mixed-up feelings.

“One thing I do know is that moods usually improve when you’ve got a full belly.” She grabs my hand and pulls me to stand. “So let’s get breakfast.”

Nadya and I make our way down the corridor, the echoes of our footfalls mixed with those of Sir Holden trailing behind us. I glance back at him, feeling a pang of guilt for sneaking out of my room without his knowledge, even though I’ve done it while in a trance.

The morning sun spills through the windows, casting long, warm beams across the polished floors. Servants open the heavy, wooden doors to the dining room, and Sir Holden stands sentry in the hall as Nadya and I enter the room.

The servants are already clearing some of the platters, their movements efficient and practiced. I scan the room quickly, relieved to find Dante’s usual seat empty. My tension eases slightly at the sight of his abandoned dish.

The king rises from his seat and spares me a short glance. “Taking to sleeping in?”

“Pardon our tardiness.” I curtsey before sliding into my seat.

Nadya grabs some bacon from one of the platters a servant is aboutto take away.

“I’m afraid you missed the height of conversation, and now the queen and I have duties to attend to.” King Silas’s tall presence looms over me.

Disappointment presses down on me. Breakfast is usually the only time I get to voice my questions about the king’s progress with the trade treaty with Mersos and the situation at the borders of Dulcamar.

Queen Eleanor has her eyes trained to the floor as she rises and goes to his side. She seems a bit withdrawn, her usual vibrant demeanor dimmed. She offers us a polite nod as she prepares to leave. “Enjoy your breakfast.”

I watch them go, a twinge of concern for the queen flickering in my chest.

Turning back to the table, I decide to seize the moment for some quality time with Torbin. He looks dashing this morning, his blond hair neatly combed and his features bright. It’s as if he hadn’t downed half a bottle of brandy on his own last night.

I shift to give him my attention, but he wipes his mouth with a napkin and rises from his seat.

“Celeste.” He greets me warmly, taking my hand and pressing a kiss to it. “I’m afraid I must be off. My friends and I have decided to hunt in the nearby woods. We’ve had reports of wild boar sightings, and we thought it best to take advantage of the opportunity.”

Disappointment washes over me, but I manage a smile. “Of course. Be careful.”

“Always,” he replies with a wink. “I’ll see you later.”

With that, he strides out of the room, leaving Nadya and me to our late breakfast.

There are no lessons today, thank goodness, so I decide to spend some time with Thora and surround myself with nature. After breakfast, I walk toward the stables, my boots crunching on the gravel in a steady rhythm. Thora whinnies softly as I approach, her warm breath visible in the cool, morning air. I stroke her mane, feeling the silky strands slipping through my fingers, and for a moment, the world seems to slow down.

“Ready for a ride, girl?” I whisper, and she nudges my shoulder in response.

With Jasper’s help, I saddle her up and mount, the familiar motion bringing a sense of calm. I guide her out of the stables and into the open fields beyond the castle. The scent of fresh grass and wildflowers fills the air, and the early sun casts a golden hue over the landscape.

We trot through the fields, the wind playing with my hair and carrying away my worries. The rhythmic sound of Thora’s hooves against the earth is soothing, a steady heartbeat that aligns with my own. I take a deep breath, letting the tranquility of nature seep into my soul.

I allow Thora to pick up the pace, and soon we’re galloping, the wind rushing past us. The exhilaration of the ride clears my mind, pushing away the lingering frustration and uncertainty. My concerns about Torbin and Dante and King Silas and the Shadow Tsar fade away for a while. In this moment, it’s just Thora and me, the vast expanse of nature our only companion.

We take a turn through the fields, and I spot the nearby woods. I’m curious if these are the woods where Torbin went hunting. With the click of my tongue, I guide Thora closer to the forest. In the distance, a wolf howls. I pause for a moment, trying to judge how far away the wolf might be. When only silence follows, I continue on my quest.

My eyes narrow, focusing on shifting shadows among the trees. There, through the foliage, I catch a glimpse of Torbin and his friends.

Curiosity piqued, I draw closer to the woods. Thora’s hooves make little sound on the soft earth. Once I’m close enough, I recognize Osrem among them, the man Torbin introduced as his counsel. What’s he doing there? They’re supposed to be hunting wild boar.

I dismount quietly, tying Thora to a low branch and patting her reassuringly. Moving stealthily, I creep closer to the group, keeping low and using the underbrush for cover. The dense canopy above filters the sunlight into dappled patterns on the forest floor, casting a greenish glow.

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