Page 51 of Edge of the Wild

The head cook, a large, square-featured woman named Magda, glanced up from an instruction she was giving and fixed Tessa in place with a look as stern and commanding as that of any queen. The kitchen, Tessa supposed, was her domain over which to rule. “You shouldn’t have to be stepping and fetching like a maid, Lady Tessa.”

“I don’t mind. I wanted to save someone a trip.”

Magda harrumphed. “It’s not right, a lady carrying dirty dishes. Send word next time.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Tessa said, with a curtsy. She turned away to hide her grin as Magda continued to fuss – “A lady curtsying to a cook! I never!”

As she left the kitchen, she caught sight of herself in the mirror in the hallway. It was there, Hilda had explained, so that the maids and manservants could give their appearances a quick check before they carried out a tray; to ensure they were tidy, and composed, and not about to take something to Lady Revna with a big drip of sauce down their aprons. Tessa knew that that sort of thing didn’t matter to Revna, but everyone who worked in the palace strove to please the royal family; they were proud of their positions, and of themselves, as well they should be.

Tessa was a little startled to glimpse her own very disordered countenance now, pausing a moment, hand going automatically to her hair. Hilda had wanted to braid it this morning, but Tessa had been in a hurry to go and see Rune; she’d left it loose, and the humidity in the kitchen had left it curling wildly at her temples. She plucked a strand off her forehead and frowned at the dark circles beneath her eyes, the thin paleness of her face. She looked exactly like someone who’d been sitting vigil at a sickbed for days. Her gown was rumpled; she tugged fruitlessly at a large wrinkle in her bodice.

“It’s not as if he hasn’t already seen you a mess,” she murmured to herself. He was a bit of a mess himself, truth told. That didn’t bother her – she liked to think it was a sentiment that went both ways.

With one last frown, she moved on.

And nearly collided with a group of ladies at the fork in the hall.

Tessa pulled up short. “Excuse me.” When she lifted her gaze, she found that the ladies were young, and dressed for a trip outdoors, far more put-together and well-rested-looking than she was herself.

Lady Estrid, dressed in white wool trimmed with sable fur, stood at the center of the procession, its clear leader. Her gold hair was braided and beaded; her gaze low-lidded, assessing, and cold.

“Lady Tessa. Are you well? You look peaked.”

Tessa sucked in a breath. This was the first time anyone had spoken to her like that here in Aeretoll. She’d spent her whole life dealing with women like this in Drakewell, and she knew how to respond – but she was out of practice. How disappointing to think that cool looks and cutting remarks existed in all lands.

She drew herself upright. “Thank you for your concern, but I’m only a little tired. Lady Revna and I are so relieved that Rune is finally awake and beginning to heal.”

Several of the ladies pressed fluttering fingertips to their throats, brows knitting in immediate concern. (Disingenuous, in Tessa’s opinion.)

“As am I,” Lady Estrid said. “We were all so very worried.” She smiled, small and closed-mouth; it didn’t touch her eyes. “How lucky that Lady Revna has you to lean on at such a distressing time. And poor Rune: how grateful he must be to have a future sister-in-law who cares sodeeplyfor him.”

“I’ve grown very fond of the whole family,” Tessa said, stiffly, her throat feeling tight. In Drakewell, there would have been no mistaking what Estrid was hinting at.

“I’m sure you have. You must miss Leif terribly.”

“I do miss him, yes.”

“Hm. And he you. Such a shame you couldn’t go along to the festival – especially when the king was able to take his…new friend.”

“Oliver is the king’sconsort.”

“Yes. My mistake. His rise was so quick I can scarcely keep track of all the title changes.” She gave an offhand wave and a shrug, dismissing the matter – dismissing Oliver, and his importance to Erik.

Amelia would have said she wanted to throttle this girl. For Tessa’s part, she wanted to find the words that would wipe that smug look off her face.

But she was too tired.

“The girls and I are going riding,” Estrid continued. She gave Tessa a slow up-and-down glance. “You’re welcome to come, if you like. We’ll even wait for you to change.”

“No, thank you.” Tessa offered a fleeting smile. “I should check on Rune.”

“Maybe some other time, then.”

“Yes, maybe so.”

“Take care, my lady,” Estrid said, as her party began to move off. “There’s no shame in a nap if you think it would help.”

Ignore her, Tessa thought.She’s a stupid twit looking to upset you. But by the time she reached the royal solar, she was silently fuming, Estrid’s words cycling again and again through her mind.

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