Page 86 of A Curse of Hope and Shadows: Part I
Dimitri was relieved by the story; it seemed to suggest no gossip had spread about his display last night. His insides twisted with the damage he must have caused—he’d have to see people were reimbursed.
“Did you see Adeline last night?”
Thomas shook his head. “Saw her off this morning, though.”
“Did she seem all right?”
“Yes. Why?”
“No matter,” he said. “Lay out some walking clothes for me, will you?”
“Are you going somewhere?”
Remembering Minty’s instructions that he was not supposed to go anywhere unescorted, he paused. “No.”
Thomas grinned. “Use the south entrance. No one’s there this time of day. I’ll keep the old battleaxe occupied for a bit.”
“My thanks.”
Dimitri ate, washed, and dressed in silence, doubling back twice on his way downstairs.
It’s her day off. Don’t waste her time.
But an apology was needed, and on the off-chance she was stewing in her own anger, he decided to risk it. He’d keep it brief, to the point, and then leave her to her day.
He still lost his nerve three times on the journey, and stalled at her garden gate.
What was he supposed to say?
“Are you lost?” said a grinning voice.
Dimitri’s hands went immediately to his hood, intent on shirking away, before he realised it was only Elliott, leaning against the fence with Edie on his shoulders. “Hi!” she chirruped.
It was impossible not to smile back.
“I was… I was looking for Adeline,” he admitted. “But if she doesn’t want to see me—”
Elliott frowned. “Why wouldn’t she want to see you?”
“It’s no matter, I’ll just—”
“She’s gone for a walk,” Elliott interjected, pointing at the nearby woods. “Down towards the stream, usually. She won’t be long if you want to wait for her?”
Dimitri shook his head. He wanted to get this over and done with, just in case she shouted at him and needed the rest of the day to cool down. He gave Elliott his thanks.
“Bye, Doggie!” Edie waved, before sneezing loudly on Elliott’s hair.
“Bye, Edie.”
He set off down the path into the woods. There was no frost, not yet, but a pleasant bite to the air, crisp against his chest. Leaves kicked up in the breeze, a flurry of scarlet and gold.
He followed the sound of the stream, but another, lovelier sound soon cut through it.
“I heard a maiden sing in the woods one morning,
A song that she sang to the sun.
She sang for love, for a joy that she dreamed,
