Garnet poured him a tankard of ale and handed it to Eirwen. She pressed it into his hands, rubbing his back. “Breathe. Drink. Take it slow.”
He took a sip, half choking on it.
“Did you run all the way here?”
“No, don’t be ridiculous. I was on horseback, but I was worried that I was riding the horse too hard so I left him in a glade next to a stream not too far away–”
Onyx grumbled something about the recklessness of abandoning your mount, and hobbled out of the room to go fetch it.
“Why are you in such a hurry?”
He grinned. “Maybe I just wanted to see you.”
“All right, you’re fine.” Eirwen scowled, dropping away from him.
Cole grabbed her arm. “On a serious note,” he said, “my mother has imprisoned the Huntsman. She plans to execute him in a week.”
Eirwen paused, but somehow, Wren’s pause was harder, her face like iron.
“I see,” Eirwen continued. “Why… why so much time?”
“Because I convinced her to delay it, to try and force you to reveal yourself.”
“I can’t work out if that’s smart or idiotic.”
“Me neither. But it was the best I could do on short notice. She wanted to do it immediately. I had to delay her.”
“Quick thinking.”
“One of my finer talents…”
Wren sat down at the table beside Cole. She looked up at Eirwen. “What do you want to do?”
“You mean, because he’s only one man and we shouldn’t risk it?”
“Lord Hammersmith is set to be executed too,” said Cole, “although risking several lives for two is little better. What was I thinking?”
“You wanted to give them a chance,” said Eirwen.
“I feel like I’ve just given you a burden.”
She placed her hand against his arm, shaking her head. “If you have, it was still the right call.” She turned back to Wren. “I want to try and rescue them, if I can. Don’t you?”
“Of course I do.”
Eirwen swivelled to Cole. “Have you eaten? You look pale.”
“Ah, no. I, er…”
Eirwen slipped into the kitchen. Wren bustled outside to find Onyx, leaving Eirwen and Garnet to fuss over feeding the prince.
“I’m not… particularly hungry,” Cole said, when a plate was pressed in front of him.
“Me neither,” said Eirwen. “But you look like you’re about to faint. Just try a few bites.”
“Shall I trade you for–”
“Finish that sentence, and I will punch you.”