Page 36 of A Touch of Royalty

He helped her sit at the table, dishing out the contents of the pan and setting it hot and steaming in front of her.

“It smells like apple.” Emryn picked up her spoon and scooped up a bite. She felt her eyes go wide as the soft flavors burst on her tongue.

“Cook’s caramel apple bread pudding.” Cas had a serving of his own and was munching his way through it. “It’s been my favorite since I was a boy. I stole an entire pan of it when I was eleven. Cook was furious. She made me re-make it, turned out terrible.”

Emryn giggled, though she didn’t mean to.

“It was funny,” Cas nodded, looking at her plate. “I now leave the kitchen to people with more talent than I have. Would you like more?”

“Yes please,” Emryn was hungry again, but the bread pudding was closing that hole in her middle. “It’s very good.”

“I know,” Cas served her another portion. “Now, I imagine Asan will want a hand in training you, but that can come after the basics of courtier-hood.”

“I know my letters and my numbers.” Emryn replied.

“Yes, I imagined that.” Cas said. “I think you’ll only need someone for governance and for etiquette and the dancing master will want at you as well.”

They discussedher tutors until Emryn was nodding over her plate and then Shana came in and shooed Cas off so she could be dressed for bed.

Emryn wasn’t expecting Cas to come back. He would want to sleep in his own bed. She was nearing sleep, when her door opened and closed. She struggled to sit up, looking at Cas walking over to her bed.

“Do you want to cuddle, Emryn?”

She moved over, pulling the blankets back with a shy smile.

Cas nodded, smiling back and climbing into the bed with her. Reaching to pull her into his arms, and settling with her tucked under his chin.

24

REST

She was a nice weight in his arms. Warm and solid, grounding and sure. She might be afraid and uncertain, but her fear would ease as she became accustomed to her new world.

And hopefully she would let him help her. He understood the fear, understood that she felt unwanted when all of his nobility looked down their noses at her as his common born wife.

But the city was celebrating one of their own. She was the people’s healer, the one that had seen to their ills, had saved their children, and in their eyes, she was finally getting the recognition she deserved.

Maybe he would take her into the city, let her see the celebrations. But would that help or harm?

Either way, it was time to rest and tomorrow he would ask her about it.

When she shiftedin his arms and went to pull away, his first instinct was to hold her tighter, to keep her there. But instead, he made his arms relax and let her go.

“Good morning,” he told her quietly. “Did you sleep well?”

“You don’t have to wake up,” she replied, just as quiet. “I know it’s early, but there’s something I need to do.”

“Can I help?”

She shook her head. “There’s an illness somewhere, and I have to go take care of it.”

“Darling Emryn,” he sat up, watching her blush under the endearment. “Are you certain that’s wise?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you might consider that you’re still recovering.” He reached for her hand. “The palace healers will see to it. You and I are going to go down to the city today. I have something to show you.”

She slumped, reaching behind herself to rub the back of her neck. “Alright, I should let the palace healers do their work.”

---