Page 52 of A Reign of Malice
The palace workers move around us, refilling platters and polishing silverware, but at least two of them are watching us more closely than they should. Aeson’s spies.
We don’t have time to waste.
I set my napkin aside, smiling bright enough to mask the dread twisting my stomach. “How would you all feel about a tour of the market this morning?” I ask, voice chipper. “A new pup was born yesterday. I’m going to check on him and his mother after I pick up a gift. You’re all welcome to join me for a walk through the town while we wait for Aeson to make himself available.”
Isla sits up straighter, pushing her chair back. “A pup? Absolutely. Let’s go.”
I didn’t expect her to be so eager. I hadn’t even meant for us to leave this quickly, but I won’t argue. The sooner we’re out of the castle and away from prying eyes, the better.
The rest of the table rises, including Asher and Theo, though their wariness only deepens. Estee winks at me as she loops her arm through her sister’s, and together, we leave the hall.
I feel the intensity of those two spying pairs of eyes on my back the entire way out.
The front doors of the castle open to the courtyard and Clara waits just beyond the gates, her hands clasped in front of her. There’s a tightness around her mouth, the kind that only I would notice, and it’s the only tell she’s holding back nerves of her own.
We walk together, the cobbled path leading us through the outer courtyard and down toward the heart of the village.
The market is already bustling by the time we arrive. Vendors shouting their wares, children darting between stalls, the scent of fresh bread and roasting meat thick in the air. I let the chatter and laughter wash over me, grounding myself in the simple, fleeting joy of a community still willing to hope.
We stop at a few stalls, admiring carved trinkets and baskets of dried herbs. Estee and Isla ask questions, smiling at the vendors, while Asher and Theo keep close, never dropping their guard.
Then, from behind us, a voice shouts, loud and full of warmth. “Isla! Asher!”
A man jogs toward us, tall and broad-shouldered, his darkblond hair catching the sunlight, his hazel eyes gleaming with joy.
Clara’s grip tightens around my wrist, her fingers trembling.
“Holy shit,” she whispers.
I turn to her, startled by the pallor of her cheeks. “What? What’s wrong?”
Before she can answer, Asher steps forward, his brow furrowed. “Noen? What are you doing here?”
But Noen isn’t looking at Asher, or even Isla, any longer. His gaze locks on Clara, and his entire body trembles. The man bows his head briefly, reverence mingling with disbelief, and then reaches for her hands, eyes lifting to hers.
Oh!
He shudders again and drops to his knees, right there in front of Clara, uncaring that dozens of eyes are on him. “I’m Noen.”
“Clara,” she squeaks, fighting a wild smile as a few tears fall down her cheeks.
I pry her other hand off my arm and give her a little nudge. “Why don’t the two of you go talk, and we’ll catch up shortly?”
Isla is crying more than Clara, and Estee is practically jumping up and down, which I find odd, but I have a feeling they’ll explain momentarily.
Noen gets up and glances down at their combined hands, asking Clara, “Is this okay?”
She nods, no longer trying to hide her grin.
Slowly, they walk away from the crowded area, their steps quickening the further they get. And then…
The crowd around us applauds and cheers for them.
That has my throat tightening and my own eyes burning as I watch the closest person I have to family bury her headin her mate’s chest as he wraps an arm around her, protecting her from further embarrassment. I have no doubt her cheeks are ten shades of red as the clapping goes on.
I raise my hand and turn toward the pack, smiling. “Witnessing a new mate bond being identified is certainly a special moment, but let’s give them their privacy now, shall we?”
People nod and while some steal another glance, they go back to their shopping.
