Page 121 of Between Despair and Hope

Dewalt stomped over, looking as if he’d eaten something sour, and clapped Theo on the shoulder. “I know we got little done today, you two, but your stances looked good,” he said before turning and projecting his voice. “No matter which one was correct, it looked good.”

Rainier didn’t reply, opting instead to stare with disdain.

“Tomorrow you’ll be with Thyra,” Dewalt continued, grinning despite the murderous look on his friend’s face.

“Sounds good. See you tomorrow, Elora,” Theo said, starting down the drive before I could reply.

I called goodbye after him, feeling all the world like the worst friend to ever exist. Rainier and Dewalt came to stand on either side of me, both of them crossing their arms and watching as Theo moved out of sight.

“Everything alright between you two?” Rainier asked, quiet and curious. I pulled my cloak around me, uncertain if I wanted to answer.

“I suppose.”

Dewalt snorted. “She supposes.”

“Shut up, D. Go find somewhere else to be.”

“Can do, Your Majesty,” Dewalt taunted, before ruffling my hair and striding toward the estate, leaving Rainier and me alone.

“He’s a good boy, Theo.”

“He’s my very best friend.”

“Friend is the important word, isn’t it?”

“The most important.”

“That’s good. I’m not going to pretend your mother isn’t the better one to talk to about this, but,” he began, clearing his throat. “I think, if you give him some time, he’ll realize your friendship is the most important thing to him too.”

“I hope so.”

“He will. Just give him some time to lick his wounds. You’re worth it.”

Rainier put his hand on my shoulder. I could tell he was tempted to pull me closer to his side, and I spared us both the awkwardness of him asking by leaning into his side and putting an arm around his waist.

“Thank you,” I said as he turned us, his smile wide as we walked toward the estate. His grip on my shoulder held strong, almost as if he was afraid I’d push him off me.

“Let’s go in before there’s another blizzard.”

I didn’t bother searching for Mama once inside, heading straight to my room to change into something comfortable and dry. Opening my door and kicking off my shoes, I froze as I saw the package on my bed. A small box wrapped in brown paper sat there with a folded piece of parchment beneath it. Crossing the room in a single bound, I snatched the folded piece of paper and broke the wax seal immediately.

I had a feeling I knew who it was from.

Narrow, loopy handwriting filled the page, and my heart stuttered when I read the greeting.

Min viltasma,

Part of me knew I should have thrown the letter straight in the fire, but the other part of me, the one who missed the bastard, was stronger. I kept reading.

I will be the first to admit that I delivered this package to you by a rather nefarious method. I paid a child to bring it to your butler. A gift for the newest princess from a far-off lord in Olistos. I know, I know, I shouldn’t have involved a child—a young boy of only seven, at that! And yet, I was desperate. Sterling is quite the dour man, I must say.

I digress. I know you do not want to see me, and this is not to say I blame you at all for it. Yet, I must ask you to reconsider.

Wait!

I laughed and hated myself for it once I read the next line. He knew me too well.

Wait! Do not throw the letter away just yet!

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