Page 93 of The Courting of Bristol Keats
They all weighed in, talking about what it was like to grow up among mortals, the many things about their lives they kept secret from others. “Sometimes it was hard, but at least I knew who and what I was,” Sashka said.
“And there was a whole community of fae where I lived, so we had each other,” Avery added. “I wasn’t the only one with a crown of moss and twigs.”
Hollis shook her head. “I’m sorry you found out this way. I can’t imagine the shock—and it’s understandable why you’ve missed training and classes.”
Rose leaned forward, her hands gripping the rim of the tub. “But you’re going to stay, aren’t you? We need you.”
Stay? Bristol hadn’t thought about staying or leaving. For the last few days, time had stopped for her.
“We’ll let you finish your bath in peace,” Julia said as she stood. “If you need help, let us know. In the meantime, we brought some food—your favorites. We’ll go lay it out in the other room.”
Bristol finished washing her hair, and she had to admit the floral scent of the soap did lift her spirits—or it at least made her think about something else for a change. For days her mind had been stuck in a dark spiraling whirlpool with no beginning or ending.
When she finished dressing and emerged back into her bedchamber, the first thing she saw was the recruits lounging around on her forest floor carpet with a blanket of food between them like they were on a picnic. The fox hovered just outside their circle, waiting for handouts. The second thing she saw was her favorite foods, just as they promised. Stuffed figs, spiced kumquats, soft warm rolls drenched in thyme butter. Bowl, after basket, after platter. Everything she loved.
Her chest swelled, aching that they knew her so well. That they barged their way in. That they knew how much space to give her—and not give her. That they were able to find that delicate balance between pushing in and stepping back. That they were far better at this friend thing than she was, but they didn’t hold it against her. They were helping her along.
Avery patted the carpet next to her. “Sit.”
Bristol did.
And she ate, mostly forgetting about the freeloader on her back. Her stomach rumbled to life, and she sampled everything.
Hollis delicately licked her fingers as she finished off a handful of sugared borage blossoms. “You know what I miss most about the mortal world?”
“Television!” Sashka blurted out.
“No! I was going to say tacos.”
“Yes! Tacos!” Avery agreed, licking her lips. “And guacamole! But I do miss my shows too. I was almost finished withStarlands. I’ll never know who—”
“It was Fremont Bellows who did it,” Rose said.
Avery screamed and threw a pillow at her, and they all laughed.
“We’re not missing much drama, though,” Julia said, lounging on her side like a lioness. “Considering there’s quite a show going on here every night.”
“And an encore of drama during the day. Worse than the teachers’ lounge,” Hollis added.
“Has something been going on?” Bristol asked.
They exchanged furtive glances. “Well, there’s been a lot of angry whispers among the lords and ladies, and this morning our classes were canceled,” Sashka explained.
“Olivia wasnothappy,” Avery continued. “She let it slip that the council called an emergency meeting in the absence of the king. It gave the unfortunate appearance of a conspiracy.”
“What do you mean, in his absence?” Bristol asked. “Where is he?”
Hollis said that he’d been gone ever since the battle. He was sent away on kingdom business. “Madame Chastain needed him to personally retrieve a powerful sorceress, but she didn’t say why.”
“Apparently there was some sort of bad blood between the king and this sorceress,” Avery revealed in a hushed tone, “and he had to do some groveling to get her to come. We heard he just returned this morning.”
So that’s where he’s been, Bristol thought. Kasta told her everyone who asked to see her, but she never once mentioned Tyghan. That was why. A weight lifted inside her. He wasn’t avoiding her, but was off on kingdom business—and it appeared to be an errand run for her benefit.
Sashka rolled her eyes. “I can’t imagine him groveling for anyone, though.”
Neither could Bristol, but she knew how rumors could spread and grow. “What are the gentry whispering about?”
Rose looked down at her lap. “You,” she said softly.
