Page 54 of Beneath the Haunting Sea

“Caiden isn’t here,” said Talia, folding her arms across her chest.

The footman, maidservent, and lady in the green dress all looked at her insurprise.

“Who are you?” said the young woman, frowning. “Did the Ruen-Dahr hire a new servant?”

Talia shoved down her flare of temper at the insinuation. “I’m a guest of the Baron’s. Who are you?”

“Lady Blaive Nahm-Aina, of Shold. The Baron sent for me, and he certainly didn’t say anything aboutyou.” Her words were clipped and cool. Her eyes were green, a perfect match for her gown—and thatawful hat. “Where is Lord Estahr-Sol?”

“Gone to settle a dispute about a cow.”

Blaive’s frown seemed to have taken up permanent residence on her face. “When will he be back?”

“I don’t know.”

Blaive let out a little huff of breath, peering closer at Talia in the fading light. “Who did you say you were again?”

Talia didn’t answer. “What do you want with Caiden?” Blaive’s eyes grew hard. “I’mhis fiancée.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

TALIA FELT HERSELF GROW VERY STILL, ANicy coldness settling in the pit of her stomach. “His—his what?”

“Fiancée.”

Talia glanced at Blaive’s right hand—whatever her claims, she wasn’t wearing a ring. “Caiden never mentioned you.”

The girl looked irritated. “I’m sure you’re mistaken.” She turned toward the waiting maidservent and footman. “Take my things inside. It seems I’llbe welcoming Lord Estahr-Sol home instead of the other way around.”

The footman bowed and, hefting the trunk, brought it up the front steps. He returned a few moments later and unstrapped a second trunk from the carriage roof, carrying that inside as well.

The whole time Talia stood staring at Blaive, completely at a loss for words, trying to figure out how she could possibly be Caiden’s fiancée.

When all four of Blaive’s trunks had been taken inside, the footman hopped back onto the carriage, and she dismissed both him and the coachman with a regal nod. The driver turned the carriage around, and it rumbled back down the road, disappearing into the dusk.

A gust of wind blew suddenly over the stones, and Blaive grabbed her hat to keep it from flying off. She gave Talia one last, fiercelook and swept into the house without a word, her green skirts swishing, the maidservent at her heels.

Talia followed. She was halfway across the vestibule when the sound of hoofbeats sent her darting back onto the front steps again.

It was almost wholly dark now, but there was no mistaking Caiden’s bold silhouette coming up the drive on Avial. He had another horse tied with a line to his saddle.

Her heart leapt. Suddenly she didn’t care that she was still upset about him leaving without a word, or about the young woman inside claiming to be his fiancée. She practically ran down the steps to go and meet him.

“A welcome party!” he said, swinging down from his gelding and flashing a grin at her. “I figured you’d forgotten all about me by now.”

She couldn’t help but grin back. “As if Icould.”

“I bought you a horse.” He waved at the extra mount behind his. “Only a quarter Enduenan, but it was the best I could do.”

“You—you bought me a horse?”

He laughed. “Nothing but the finest for Enduena’s next Empress—and I didn’t think I’d ever get Avial back, otherwise.”

She placed one hand on his chest, barely able to make out his face in the darkness. She breathed him in. “Thank you.”

He wrapped his free hand in her hair. “I missed you,” he murmured back as he pulled her face to his.

But she jerked away, Wen’s guarded expression printed behind her eyes, Blaive’s claim ringing in her ears. She couldn’t kiss Caiden. Not here. Not like this. “I have to talk to you,” she said, urgently.

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