Page 63 of Pippa of Lauramore
I settle closer and wrap my arms around his neck,tilting my head back so I can look up at him. “Why are you doing this?”
His eyes soften. “I told you why. I love you,” he answers, and the words come easy this time.
I want to say it back. Why can’t I say it? He’s leaving tomorrow, and he may never return. I draw courage and say, “Archer, I?—”
The armory door swings open, and we jump apart.
Rigel’s sharp eyes take in the two of us. He strides forward with only the slightest pause. “Good evening.”
This is only the third day. Why is he back? He couldn’t have obtained his dragon treasure yet—he couldn’t have.
“Lord Rigel, you are back early.” Archer looks nonchalant as he hangs his quiver next to mine, but I can tell from his voice he’s not. I hope Rigel doesn’t notice.
“I’ve completed the task.” Rigel looks almost bored. “I’m looking for a whetstone. Where would I find one?”
I stare at him, my jaw falling open and my lips parting. “Already?”
He turns his dark eyes on me. “It’s easy when you know where to look.”
“But how…?”
“There are very few ways to take care of a dragon. I know them all.”
I shiver and say nothing. His eyes still bore into mine.
Archer hands him a whetstone. I let out a slow exhale as Rigel leaves, but then he turns on his heel, just before the door. “You will be missed soon. I wouldn’t linger if I were you.”
Then he leaves.
I watch the door slowly close, only turning to Archer once it shuts with a soft thud.
“He saw,” I whisper.
Archer pulls me close, holding me tight, as if it will be the last time. It may very well be.
“I know.”
I staba piece of roasted lamb with my knife and glare at Lionel. He arrived an hour before Rigel. I’m at my place next to Leonora. Lady Marigold is once again seated next to Archer, but it doesn’t bother me tonight. I pick at my food, not able to eat much of anything.
Leonora sets her hand on top of mine, squeezing it before she lets go. She’s nodding at something Percival has said, but she must sense my mood and feels I need comforting.
Lionel is between Father and Percival, and he’s been basking in their congratulations all night. His official feast won’t be for another four days, but tonight has a celebratory feel. I’m almost sorry for Rigel. He too arrived ridiculously early, but it’s Lionel soaking up all the praise.
Rigel doesn’t seem to mind, or if he does, he hides it well. He’s deep in conversation with Alexander. From what I can hear, my brother is asking for details of the search. Rigel’s answers are vague at best.
Lionel, too, is very humble about his win. His four points for bringing back the treasure, plus his two points for arriving first, must have him feeling charitable. He’snow leading the competition by three points, though that will change if Galinor returns with his treasure. I’m nervous, though. Galinor will only lead by one, and that’s only if Archer obtains his treasure.
Archer catches my eye and smiles. I bite my lip, trying to hide my grin. I’ve caught Rigel’s glances all night.
He’s watching us.
“Lady Marigold has admitted to me that she isn’t taken with Archer.” Leonora angles her head toward me. “She says her heart has been stolen by someone else, but she won’t tell me who. Do you think he will be terribly disappointed?”
“I don’t believe so.”
She looks around the hall, thinking. “He’s smitten with someone, but if it’s not Marigold, I don’t know who it is.”
I twirl a dark red mountain cherry in my fingers. It’s the first of the season, and I can usually eat them till I’m sick. Not tonight.
