Page 31 of Deadwood
My heart seemed to skip a beat, the realization that I’d miss her more than ever while I was gone hitting me in the gut. “I would like that. Thank you, Katie.”
She gave the barest nod. “Of course.”
After heading down the stairs, my slippers padding lightly on the steps, we emerged through the large doors leading into the garden. The servants hadn’t had time to make me proper shoes for the trip, so I’d have to deal with the ones I had. I was almost certain I wouldn’t be doing much walking anyway. If I knew my father at all, he’d have ordered them to keep me in the carriage and on a tight leash at all times.
“Auria.” Taylin stood from the bench, immediately throwing her arms around me with not a single worry that someone might see and pull us apart. Even if someone saw her as a threat, I’d forfeit my life before she was ever put in danger.
I bit my bottom lip to keep myself composed as I hugged her back. Leaving Amosite was bittersweet, but I refused to cry. I’d be getting away from the place that was more a prison than a home, but I’d be far from the only friend I had ever had.
“It won’t be long,” I told her.
“I’ll be sitting on this bench in three weeks’ time, waiting for you.”
All those stories I’d heard of true love, but they never said that love didn’t just come in the form of a significant other. It came in the form of friendship, too. Taylin was living proof of that.
“I’ll try to bring you something,” I said, pulling back.
She let me go, a smile on her face as she waved me off. “Don’t bother. You enjoy your time. From what I’ve heard, the rest of Serpentine is a beautiful place. Take it all in, and don’t you for a second waste time thinking about me. This trip is for you. In the end, I’ll be happiest seeing you walk back through those doors”—she glanced at them towering behind me, a sadness in her eyes—“gift or not.”
“You’re too good to me, Tay.”
“And you, to me.”
We’d recited those words many times before, and I was sure we’d say them a hundred more.
“I’ll tell you all about it when I get back,” I promised.
“And about Lander, I’m sure,” she added, with a dance of her eyes.
I shook my head, unable to hide my grin. “If there’s anything to tell.”
“You never know,” she teased.
We would definitely not be doing what she was indicating.
“Maybe this vacation from you will be a good thing,” I joked.
Her mouth gaped, and I laughed. I’d miss this.
She sobered her expression. “Be safe, Auria. Don’t trust anyone out there. You’re a special person, and anyone could be looking to take advantage of that.”
“I will. Don’t worry about me. We’ll have two dozen guards, and Lander and his brother will be there, too.”
She frowned. “He’s handsome, but that doesn’t mean you should immediately put your life in his hands.”
“Believe me when I say my confidence in others does not come easy. I’ll be unassailable out there.”
“As if that doesn’t sound as confident as ever,” she said with a roll of her eyes.
I smiled, then pulled my friend in for one last hug. “I’ll see you soon.”
She nodded in response before letting me go. I reluctantly headed back into the castle, dreading my visit with my father before I departed.
Katie faced me before we entered the throne room, folding her hands together in front of her. “I will see you in three weeks, Lady Auria.”
I rolled my eyes at the formality. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy every moment of my absence,” I said, attempting to make light of the situation.
She inhaled through her nose, doing her best to keep herself together. It was improper for her to laugh with me in the eyes of my father. “One might say it will feel like a bird’s first flight, the rest of the flock waiting back at the nest for their return.”
