Or were those misconceptions the reason I stayed stuck on Lorcan long after I should have let go?
“There’s no use in looking backward, Sunshine.”
“Right.” I exhale. “Speaking of which, we’d best get moving.”
In silence, we gathered our belongings and set out on horseback for River Bend.
PART 2: AUTUMN
October
Chapter 16
“Your castle is huge.”
Tovian, wide-eyed, takes it in as we ride over the elegant bridge connecting River Bend to the mainland.
“Thanks, I think.” I twist on my horse to smile at him.
“I mean, it’s pretty, too.”
“The Myesci are skilled masons. This castle is newer than Zosia’s. It has a more modern design, relatively. As castles go.”
Also, it hasn’t been shot up by Sentinels for months. River Bend is smaller than Zosia’s castle, which doesn’t really have a name, but ours was nicer even before the destrtuction.
“You must think our village is pathetic.”
He cannot possibly believe that. The Ansi way of life is more communal. Different, not worse, and certainly notpathetic.
Glancing over, I see that he is, in fact, sincere. Tovian’s capable of hiding his thoughts and emotions, but he doesn’t do it habitually. Not like Lorcan did.
Used to, anyway. I haven’t told Tovian about the bizarre conversation I had with him, and I don’t intend to, either.
Belatedly, Lorcan asked if
“I like your village better than the formality here at River Bend, to be perfectly honest. It might take some getting used to.”
I’m trying hard not to show how worried I am that he won’t like my people. As curious as Tovian is about the world beyond The Boscage, he’s often surprised by unfamiliar objects or different ways of doing things. He adjusts quickly, to his credit. But with all eyes on me, the prodigal daughter who defied king’s orders to go and fight in a war, we’ll be scrutinized from every angle. Every flaw magnified and dissected.
“I’m up to the challenge,” he says blithely, and for a second, I think he’s read my mind. “You were brave enough to be the first outsider to set foot in Ansi Village in hundreds of years. You didn’t protest when we demanded you bathe and dress in our style, or wear paint. You managed my formidable mother capably. If I can do half as well with your people, Sunshine, we’ll be fine.”
“You’ll do better, Tovi. I know it.” Reaching across the gap between our horses, I squeeze his hand. “I’m glad you’re here.”
In some ways our welcome isn’t dissimilar to the one I received at Ansi Village. We hand off our horses and are relieved of our bags by a servant.
“His Majesty has assigned your esteemed guest to the eastern wing.”
I frown. “That’s on the other side of the castle from my rooms. Put him closer to my private chambers, please.”
“I will see what I can do, Princess.” He bows deeply.
Tovian says nothing until the servant was out of earshot. “I thought I would share your rooms.”
“So did I.” I can’t decide whether putting Tovian in an entirely different wing is my father’s way of showing disapproval, or of demonstrating respect for a most unusual visitor. Ordinarily, the eastern wing is where Zosia and King Rohan stayed when they came to River Bend.
I guess Tovian and I will find out together.
“It feels so empty. Where is everyone?” I peer down desolate hallways. Barring the occasional guard or a uniformed maid, we saw no one.
