Page 43 of Heart of Winter
“Yes, I know,” she said, absently, and he realized she wasn’t at all fazed by the snippets of conversation breaking out around them. “Look, here’s Birger, we can ask him about Rune.”
“He’s awake,” Birger informed them as they filled their plates. “He’s feeling badly about his horse – he broke Ris to saddle himself – and he’s embarrassed about all the fuss he caused – or so he says. He didn’t cause it, and we’ve assured him of that. You can’tcausewolves. I don’t think he’s listening. He’s got his uncle’s gift for self-flagellation, I think.”
Oliver thought of Erik’s assurance that he wouldn’t return to the palace before they’d found them. It had felt like a vow, his voice solemn and resolute.
“He’s been asking after you,” Birger continued, turning a twinkling grin on Tessa. “He’s very worried. I told him you were quite well, and better off than him besides, but I don’t think he’ll believe it until he sees you for himself.”
“Oh.” Tessa’s face pinked. “Would it be alright to visit him later?”
Birger winked. “Just so.” Then he turned to Oliver, growing more businesslike, but no less warm. “Now, then. Erik tells me you’ve got some concerns about propriety and the like.”
Oliver realized he still stood with his hand hovering over a basket heaped with scones of some sort. He selected one, though the thought of eating it turned his stomach. “Yes, well.” His headache was making it difficult to put his thoughts into words. Probably eating would help; he added a slice of cold ham. “I think anyone would have – have those sorts of concerns. It’s only proper.”
When he lifted his head, Birger was studying him, unsmiling.
“Are you al lright, lad?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Shall we sit?”
They did, only for Oliver to realize he’d forgotten tea. “Oh, drat.”
“I’ll get you some,” Tessa said, up off the bench and heading back for the buffet before he could protest.
Across from him, Birger said, “I understand your worry. I hear it’s very important in the South – having proper escorts and doing things by the books. You don’t want tongues wagging at court.”
“Young, highborn, unmarried ladies don’t go off alone with young men back home.”
“But she wasn’t alone. Her maid was with her.”
“Yes,” Oliver conceded. He picked up his scone – it had some sort of berry in it – and then put it back down, nauseous at the idea of tasting it.
“And the boys,” Birger went on, “I can assure you, while impulsive, and pig-headed as their uncle at times – they have his sense of honor as well. They would never…”
Oliver waved and nodded. “Yes, I don’t really think they would – do anything.”
Birger studied him another moment, then smiled. “It’s in your nature to worry, though, isn’t it?”
“Well, someone ought to. War, and wolves, and marriage contracts. Someone’s got to worry about all that.”
Birger chuckled. “Right you are. Maybe we should keep you.”
Magnus had said the same thing his first night. Before Oliver could come up with an answer forthatthrough his brain fog, Tessa returned with his tea. “Thank you. You didn’t have to.”
“It was no trouble.” She touched his shoulder – and then her hand slid up, quick, and he felt the tips of her fingers on his neck. They were shockingly cold, and he flinched away from them – and that was before he realized what she was doing.
When he turned his head, she stood frozen, frowning at him. “Ollie,” she started. “Are you sure–”
“You should be in bed, lad,” Birger said.
Oliver glanced around, already drawing himself up for an argument – how could Birger possibly know – but he was talking to Leif, who stood now beside their table, all but asleep on his feet.
The prince wore a rumpled tunic, and the same dirty leggings and boots from yesterday, stiff where mud and snow had dried on them. His hair was a wild snarl of tangles and unraveling braids, and blue shadows like bruises lay heavy beneath his eyes. His face had that same slack, sick look that Oliver’s had in the mirror earlier.
“No,” Leif said, and all but fell onto the bench beside Birger. “’M fine.”
Birger sighed and slid his own plate over in front of the boy. “He doesn’t want for eyes to watch over him. Eat something and then go lie down for a little while.”
Leif took a half-hearted bite of ham and didn’t respond.
