Page 23 of Pippa of Lauramore
“I don’t want to speak of it anymore.” I look away. “It doesn’t matter. What’s done is done.”
His shoulders relax, and he releases me. We stand here, not quite looking at each other for several moments, and then I brush past him and head out the door.
The archery yard is busy. Several of the competitors skip the festival and use the last day before the tournament to practice. A variety of squires, pages, and family members loiter with them. Many turn when we step through the armory doors, and some call their greetings. Archer nods, but he ushers me away. I smile at the men over my shoulder.
My solemn instructor chooses a seldom-used target toward the back wall. Over here, perseverant meadow grass pokes through the courtyard floor. A large apple tree shades the target with dappled light, and the shadows move with the breeze.
I pull the gossamer fabric from my arms, fighting withthe laced cuffs at my biceps. Once I finally get them both free, I hang them over a branch.
“What is their purpose?” Archer asks, scowling at the sheer fabric. His tone is back to casual and, as usual, a little aloof.
“To irritate me.” I slip on my leather arm guard.
A smile plays at his lips, but he doesn’t answer. He taps my elbow. “Stop dropping your arm.”
I straighten it, take a breath, and let the arrow fly. It hits three circles from the center. I drop my bow to my side.
“It’s fine. Try again,” Archer says.
I raise my bow, he taps my elbow again, and the arrow hits the target. This time it’s in the last circle. I do it again and again, but I still can’t get the arrow in the center. I’ve been doing this for years. I’m good at it—really good.
Not today, though.
“What’s wrong?” he asks. “Your mind isn’t here. Where is it?”
“Nowhere.” I raise my bow.
“You’re standing all wrong. Pippa, pay attention.” Irritated, he steps behind me and places his hands over mine, moving me into place. “Now control your breathing.”
I take a deep breath, noticing Archer smells like dark woods, and glance over my shoulder. “My breathing is perfectly controlled, thank you.”
His hand twitches over mine, and our eyes meet. My stomach clenches, and I jerk away from him. The arrow hits the stone wall and falls to the ground.
I shouldn’t have skipped the afternoon meal, that’s all.
“I’m hungry. I didn’t eat,” I say, my tone almost defensive.
He wears a funny look on his face, but he nods. “All right.”
“All right?”
“Let’s find food.”
“Do you think this wise?”I ask Archer as we wander through the stalls, buying food here and there. I’m quite full now, but there is so much I haven’t tried yet.
He snorts. “Since when do you care?”
“I’m not fond of this new form of punishment. I feel trapped.”
“This is only your second day—and you’ve managed to get yourself to the festival twice. How could you possibly feel trapped?”
I ignore him and purchase a small package of rock candy for Leonora. I’m sure she’s kept herself so busy she hasn’t been able to enjoy any of this. At least she’ll have a break for the next few days. There are no festivities during the scavenger hunt, not until a winner is declared. Speaking of the hunt…
“Do you know what’s on the scavenger hunt list?” I’m careful to sound nonchalant. I might not have to wheedle it out of Leonora if Archer knows.
“Pippa, no.”
“That’s all you ever say.” I frown. “‘Pippa, no.’”
