Page 10 of Edge of the Wild

“Yes.” Oliver tucked it into his belt. With nothing else to do but step out the door, anxiety fizzed to life in his gut. There was so much to do, so much to worry about, and once they left the bedchamber, the day would run hard and fast and stressful. “Where are you off to first this morning?” he asked. “Presumably with trousers on.”

Erik glanced down at himself, and then smirked. “Too casual?”

“A bit, yeah.”

He didn’t move to close his gown, but his expression sobered. He folded his arms, and rested a shoulder against the mantel. “I need to check on Rune, first. If there had been a change overnight, Bjorn would have said so. But I imagine Revna needs forcing to bed, and maybe the fever’s still holding off.”

“Hopefully,” Oliver said, stomach twisting unpleasantly as he recalled Rune’s face only a few hours ago, as bleached-pale as the pillow beneath his head, his hair limp and damp at the roots with sweat.

Erik had traced careful fingertips along his hairline, mouth set in a hard line. When they’d finally retired for the night, he’d pulled Oliver into a wordless, crushing kiss, and they’d shed their worries along with their clothes until they were both exhausted and sleep dragged them under.

“I can come with you,” Oliver offered.

Erik’s smile was fleeting, but true. He shook his head. “Go see him after breakfast. Bjorn’s waiting on you.”

“Is that an order?”

“A request.” Erik pushed off the mantel and closed the distance between them. He caught Oliver by the nape and reeled him in so he could drop a kiss on his forehead. His smile, when he pulled back, was amused, but Oliver could see the tension that lay beneath it. “And another: try not to terrorize Bjorn too much.”

Oliver sniffed. “Please.” But he’d already made a mental note to keep his tongue in better check. Erik, he was now aware, thought his tendency to run off at the mouth was cute; Bjorn wouldn’t agree. “Yes, all right,” he relented.

Erik kissed him again, smile widening for one brief, dazzling moment. “Good.” He turned away, headed for the washstand. Over his shoulder, he called, “Oh, and, if he offers dancing lessons,do notaccept.”

Oliver sighed. “Noted.”

~*~

Tessa passed Oliver in the royal solar on her way from her own chamber. He was glancing over his shoulder as he walked, frowning, looking toward the hallway that led to Rune’s chamber. Obviously concerned, but he didn’t slow, not until he turned his head and spotted her; he pulled up before they could collide.

Her cousin, Tessa noted, looked tired around the eyes, same as all of them, but otherwise healthy. And, even better, easy in a way that he normally didn’t. He didn’t have that hunted, hunched-shouldered look he sometimes got when he thought he didn’t belong. He held himself erect and quietly confident – sure of his place here, in this room, amidst this royal family. Tessa wanted to hug Erik for that.

Oliver also had a bite mark on his neck that the collar of his tunic utterly failed to hide.

“Ollie, how is he?”

Oliver shook his head. “I don’t know, I haven’t been in there yet. I’m going to go learn tofight,” he said with a huff, rolling his eyes.

“Tofight?” she asked, concern for Rune momentarily derailed.

“Apparently, I have to know how to defend myself.” He pulled a sheathed dagger from his belt and waved it, making a face. “It’s a lost cause, but I have my marching orders.” When she didn’t respond, he said, “All right, I have my marchingrequest.”

Tessa was surprised to feel a smile tugging at her lips. “Maybe it won’t be so bad.”

“Doubtful.” His brows drew together. “How are you, Tess? Did you manage much sleep?”

“A little,” she lied. All she’d done was toss and turn until the bedclothes were wrapped around her waist and her head was throbbing from lack of proper sleep. A cup of strong tea had helped.

Behind her, Hilda said, “If she’s not careful, she’ll work herself into the same sad shape as her ladyship. You should ask Olaf for a sleeping draught, my lady. And see if you can get Lady Revna to take one as well.”

“I agree,” Oliver said, and there was a new firmness to the set of his jaw; no longer suggesting, but prepared to escort one or both of them to bed himself if need be.

Erik’s influence, again, Tessa thought.

She touched his arm as she stepped around him. “Enjoy your practice. Will I see you later?”

“Yes.”

They parted with quick smiles and nods, and then Oliver made for the door, and Tessa made for the hall that led to Rune’s chamber.

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