Page 51 of Shadow Mark

The night air was indeed bitter. Winter came swiftly, bringing gray skies. He cut through the gardens to return to his quarters. Wings of the palace wrapped around the gardens, creating a soft rim of golden light at the fringe of manicured darkness. The garden route did not save time, but it saved him the bother of being stopped by a dozen people who wanted a word.

Leaves covered the ground. The summer greenery had long since died back, leaving the hardier autumn and winter plants. The garden was not awash in color, but it was green and alive. Karu perched in the trees, gently calling to one another in the night. Soon enough, the garden would be blanketed with snow. His breath hung in the air.

The guards kept a discreet distance. It was almost quiet enough to imagine he was alone.

A figure emerged from a building, stepping into a puddle of light and then slipping into the darkness. He recognized Lenore at once and called out to her.

Shadows moved across her face, giving the appearance of a smile. That pleased him.

“Good evening,” he said. “It’s a bit late for a walk in the garden.”

“I could say the same,” she replied. Yes, that was a smile. “It’s a shortcut back to my rooms.”

“Then we are heading in the same direction. Walk with me.” They fell into an easy pace, gravel crunching under their feet. Suddenly, he no longer felt the cold. “How are your accommodations?”

“Amazing, but you know that.”

Silence fell between them again. It felt brittle, like he was in danger of making the wrong observation and insulting her again. A lifetime of politics instructed him to stick to safe subjects. “The weather is cold tonight.”

“The cold is kicking my ass,” she replied, arms folded across her chest and hand tucked in for warmth. “It’s embarrassing. I’m from Chicago. I’ve gone soft.” He must have worn a puzzled expression. She quickly added, “Chicago is known for brutally cold winters. The wind just cuts right through you. Right now? It’s not even cold enough to snow. Back home, I wouldn’t even bother with a coat. A sweater, maybe a scarf, and I’d be fine. I’m soft.”

“I do not think being soft is disgraceful. It is a fine quality.”

To his shame, he noticed that she wore a thin coat, one designed for the chill of a spring day, not the deep cold of winter. She had no gloves and no scarf.

“Your garments are insufficient for the weather.” He shrugged off his greatcoat and held it out.

“I couldn’t. You need to stay warm.”

“I will survive. You may not.”

Thankfully, she did not protest but took the coat. Baris settled it over her shoulders, the thick woolen material covering her. It pleased him inordinately to see her in his coat. The greatcoat went down to his knees. On her, it swept along the ground.

“I pay your wages,” he said. “Why do you not have a coat?”

“No time.”

“Order one from the network.” The solution seemed obvious to him.

“Sure, if something fits you straight off the rack. I’m an odd size. I need to try things on before buying, maybe get it tailored, and I haven’t had a chance to go shopping yet.”

“Freezing is not the solution,” he said. “Keep my coat until you acquire your own.”

Her lips parted, but no sound emerged. Instead, she gave that human nod of agreement. “Okay. Thank you.”

As they resumed their walk, an uncomfortable silence fell between them again. Baris itched to replace it.

“How go your studies?” he asked, wincing at the formality in his tone.

“Fine.” She stopped, the coat swinging around her. “I wasn’t lurking or waiting for you like a creep or anything like that.”

“The thought did not occur to me.” He was simply delighted to encounter her. “Is Harol treating you well?”

“You know he isn’t. The man is a tyrant.”

“Fairly?” Because if that medic had harmed Lenore in any way, he would suffer.

“He’s fair. And demanding. And rude. He tried to poison me today,” she said, her tone implying that it was not an executable offense.

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