Page 27 of Kingdom of Feathers

Caleb was silent for a moment, and guilt swirled through Wren. He always told her to put herself forward, but surely the reality of it would make him as uncomfortable as it made her.

I’m proud of you, Wren.

The words surprised Wren so much she could hardly keep her face straight. Tears prickled at her eyes, but she could feel Lady Anneliese’s gaze on her, and she forced herself not to surrender to them. Turning instead to her companion, she summoned a smile.

But Lady Anneliese’s answering smile seemed forced, and she looked away quickly. Frowning a little, Wren studied her profile. The noblewoman had said she was well, but she didn’t look it. Her usually pleasant face had a strained quality about it, and her eyes were troubled.

Hesitatingly, Wren reached out and touched the other woman’s arm. Lady Anneliese started slightly, and whipped her head back around to face the princess. Reading the question in Wren’s eyes, she gave an unconvincing laugh.

“I’m all right. Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts.”

Wren tilted her head, raising her eyebrows encouragingly.

Lady Anneliese let out a long breath. “I don’t wish to burden you with my troubles.”

A hasty disclaimer was on the tip of Wren’s tongue, but with long practice, she didn’t even have to remind herself not to utter it. Instead she waited, silent and patient.

“I just thought that you…” Lady Anneliese burst out, then trailed off. “That is, no one feels the loss more keenly than you, and…” Her words faded once again, color rising up her cheeks.

Wren paused, taken aback by the reserved woman’s outburst. She was glad she hadn’t been able to utter the polite reassurance that had been in her mind. Most likely the proper courtesy would have caused Lady Anneliese to retain her usual formal manner. It wasn’t the first time Wren had observed that prolonged silence had an intensity to it that could conversely unlock people’s tongues.

Sensing, however, that the other woman needed some encouragement to continue, she gave Lady Anneliese’s arm a gentle squeeze. She had suspected before now that their shared grief might be the reason the other woman sought out her company sometimes, but it had never been articulated between them before.

“Father wishes me to marry,” Lady Anneliese said in a rush. “He’s received an offer from a suitor, and he’s pressing me to accept.”

Caleb’s feathery form had become utterly still, and Wren had to force herself not to look at him.

No, she thought.Don’t do it, Lady Anneliese! Not after all this time. Not when we’re so close.

She is free to do as she wishes, Wren.Caleb’s soft voice in her mind made Wren wince. She hadn’t realized she’d shared her thoughts. She was obviously distracted.

She’s not really free—not while she doesn’t have all the facts, Wren shot back stubbornly.

She has always been free. Nothing was ever formalized.

Wren didn’t bother arguing. Caleb’s words might be true, but they were beside the point. He knew as well as she did that the entire court had been living in daily expectation of the announcement of the crown prince’s betrothal to Lady Anneliese when the curse hit.

Lady Anneliese was watching the princess for her reaction, and Wren hardly knew what to do with her face. She was terrified of accidentally communicating Caleb’s presence—and survival—and therefore dooming him. But it would be unthinkably horrible if Lady Anneliese, after defying all expectation and remaining unwed for almost six years in memory of her lost sweetheart, married someone else mere months before Caleb was finally free.

Some of her anguish must have shown in her eyes, because Lady Anneliese grimaced.

“I hope you don’t think less of me for considering it,” she said. “I find it difficult even to contemplate it myself. And I don’t want you to feel…well, betrayed.”

Wren stared at her. Lady Anneliese was hesitating out of consideration forher? She’d never even imagined the reserved noblewoman to be feeling such a thing. She wished she could reassure her, could tell her how much her undemanding companionship meant to Wren. But she didn’t want her to be so reassured she married someone other than Caleb, just to satisfy her father.

After a moment’s hesitation, Wren pushed Caleb away enough to reach into her pocket for her slate. It was worth both the effort and the spectacle on this occasion.

The other woman watched her curiously, leaning forward with interest when Wren was finished writing.

What do you want?

Lady Anneliese sat back with a sigh. “What I want isn’t possible,” she said softly, looking out at the now-calm pond.

Wren’s heart leaped. Caleb still held the noblewoman’s heart, it seemed. But Lady Anneliese wasn’t finished.

“If I’m honest,” she went on, her eyes still on the water, “I am weary of feeling sad and alone.”

Wren could feel Caleb’s tension beside her, and she realized she was holding her own breath.

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