Page 8 of A Thieving Curse

“Sure. How many kids are there this year?”

“Ten, but—”

“How about Caroline?”

“Caroline? Why do you always want to give them people names?”

“Oh, so Raelyn isn’t a person name?”

“I was making an exception in recognition of your birthday.” He shifted so he could rub the kid’s head. “She looks like if a cow were a goat. We should name her Cow.”

“That’s absurd.” Raelyn straightened, a sly smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Cowoline.”

Gareth snorted. “Perfect. Cowoline the Goat.”

Cowoline stretched in her sleep, her little hooves pushing against Raelyn’s leg through the heavy blanket before she curled up again.

“We should sneak out and name the rest.”

She shook her head. “I wish we could. But if I get caught—”

“What?” he demanded. “You already have a guard all day, I’m not supposed to be here, and they’re taking you away. What else can Father and Mother possibly do?”

“Not let you come with,” she murmured.

Gareth froze. Slowly, he turned his head toward her. With the candle behind him, she couldn’t make out his expression in the dark. “They wouldn’t…”

“Mother’s concerned I’m not taking this seriously enough, and that you’re part of the problem.” Raelyn bit her lower lip. “Maybe she’s right, in a way. I understand the stakes, I know what I need to do, and I think I’m ready, but then you come in here with this goat and I don’t want to leave.” Her voice broke as tears filled her eyes.

He didn’t move or speak, and she still couldn’t see his face clearly.

“I’m going to be all alone after you go back to Eynlae. What if I’m not what the Rethalis are expecting? What if Tristan doesn’t love me? What if he doesn’t evenlikeme?” The fears she had kept buried spilled out as tears slipped down her cheeks. “Who will make me laugh when I make a mistake, or listen when I need to talk?” She gasped in a breath, trying to ease the tension in her chest and control her trembling.

“I’m ready to get married,” she whispered, “I’m not ready to say goodbye.”

For a long, uncomfortable moment, Gareth didn’t respond. If he was going to rant, she didn’t want to hear it, anyway. His righteous anger wouldn’t change anything. It never did.

He squeezed her shoulder, pulling her closer. “He’d be crazy not to like you. And I know you were joking about calling the wedding off if I don’t like him, but if he’s not good to you, I’ll get you out. I promise.”

Raelyn considered arguing the futility of such an effort. They couldn’t escape their own tutors at home, how would they escape Rethalyon? And she couldn’t leave, even if Prince Tristan had toad skin or was cruel. At least ambassadors to Rethalyon claimed Tristan was an attractive, noble young man. But even if the rumors proved false, the treaty that kept Eynlae in prosperity depended on her marriage. Peace depended on her. But, for a moment, Raelyn chose to believe that Gareth could keep that promise.

She caressed the kid’s soft ears. “You said we tell each other the truth. Do you think I’ll be a good queen?”

“You’ll be a great queen.” Gareth kissed the side of her head. “I should probably return Cowoline to the pen. And you should sleep.” He scooped the kid off the bed, bundling it under his cloak as he stood. He picked up the candle and made his way to the door. Raelyn rested her chin on her knees. Just before he pulled the door closed behind him, she spoke.

“Gareth?”

He paused, the candle casting strange shadows in the doorway. “Yes?”

“Thank you.”

3

THE MORNING OF her eighteenth birthday, Raelyn stood alone in the center of her room. She smoothed the skirt of her burgundy traveling gown. The wool was thick enough for the late spring chill and embellished with golden embroidery along the collar. A navy cloak with a large hood and soft ermine-lined suede gloves completed her ensemble. All other attire deemed worthy had been packed into trunks and strapped to mules for the journey.

As she breathed in the faint scent of dried rose petals, she surveyed the room—every uneven patch in the stone walls, the worn places on the wooden floor, the rugs around her bed, the muted glass windows. This had been her room forever. And now…she’d never see it again. Raelyn took a deep breath, held her head high, and walked through her door for the last time.

With every step through the castle toward the courtyard, parting became more difficult. Memories assaulted her from every corner. Playing hide and seek behind tapestries. Sneaking sweet rolls from the kitchen. Her first royal ball. Gareth getting in trouble after he tried to teach her to sword fight with wooden swords. Twice.

---