Page 65 of Brighter Than Gold

“I’ve had better days.”

“And you? Are you all right?” she said over my shoulder to Callan. Her tone towards him was familiar.

“Nothing that a little whiskey can’t cure,” he joked.

She turned her focus back to me, a somber look ghosting her face. “What Lazio said, are you not…”

Gods that was right, Lazio had told her I’d lost the baby, and at that time I thought I had. Reflexively, I put my hands against my belly, feeling some of that attachment and love for the tiny child seeping back in. It warmed the empty despair that had taken hold of me.

“No, I am—I’m still pregnant,” I said with a relieved smile.

Yates exhaled deeply. “Thank the Gods, Reyah,” she whispered. “We need to get you to the homestead.”

“Yates,” Idona interrupted. “That’s not what the King said.”

“I know what he said, and he’s wrong. Everyone in the Realm is looking for her now, the road back is too dangerous. She’ll go to the homestead. The sentries that were sent out will still be waiting there, it’s safe.”

Idona huffed. “You’re directly disobeying his orders Yates, evenyoucould be found in contempt.”

“They’re not official orders Idona, he would have to be a fucking idiot,” she spat, then she winced uncomfortably. “Callan, you’ll leave tomorrow.”

“That’s what I said to our gracious host, I’m told we are waiting for horses.”

“Idona, give them whatever you fucking have, stop making this difficult.”

“For fuck’s sake, Yates…”

I’m sure my eyes bulged at that; I’d never heard a sovereign spoken to in such a manner before.

“While we’re making demands, I need to be in the same room as the Princess overnight. At your King’s behest, of course.” Callan laced a smarmy smile at Idona.

“That is entirely out of the question, half the women here want him to sleep in the barn.”

Yates laughed. “Everyone is safe, Callan has as much interest in fucking women, as I do men.”

I stilled as her words sunk in, then my cheeks flushed red, and after a moment I realized my mouth was hanging slightly open. I closed it quickly and swallowed.

“Fine,” Idona sneered. “Anything else while I’m at it?” she asked facetiously.

I heard Callan clear his throat. “Nothing for the moment.”

“I’d like to speak with Callan alone. Can you show Reyah to their room?”

“Follow me, Your Grace,” Idona said, turning to me.

“I’ll be there in a moment,” Callan added, and I’m sure there was a look of guilt in his eyes.

I nodded absently and followed behind the silver-haired woman. She led me to a room down the hall and around the corner.

“You’ll be right in here,” Idona said, opening a door to a quaint space with two simple beds. “It’s still relatively early, would you like to go back downstairs?”

Had Idona just been speaking? My mind was a jumble. “Pardon me?” She looked at me with a concerned expression. “Are you all right, Reyah? I haven’t gotten a chance to speak with you alone yet. How are you? Really?”

Her question was so genuine andnicethat it almost brought tears to my eyes. Everyone was always asking if I was all right, but they meant physically, because of the pregnancy. Idona meant it in an entirely different way. I swallowed hard. “I…” My throat bobbed, betraying me.

She stepped in and embraced me as I felt the tears sting my eyes. I unleashed several pitiable sobs. “I’m tired, and I’m scared. I feel like I’ve been running for my life since I left the palace.”

“I can’t even imagine what you’re going through right now. You’re safe here though. We’re watching over you.”

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