Page 13 of Anwen of Primewood
She smiles at me, but her eyes wander to Galinor. “Yes.”
Oh.
Marigold looks different. It takes me a moment to realize how my childhood friend has changed. Her light brown hair is down and soft on her shoulders instead of pulled tight, and she’s not fidgeting or looking at the ground. The last time I saw her, she was as timid as a mouse.
I glance again at Galinor. Marigold’s always sworn shewill never marry—that she’d rather spend her time in Primewood’s library than with a man. I wonder if she has changed her mind.
Galinor smiles at Marigold with soft affection. I look away, feeling foolish for my display of enthusiasm.
Marigold glances around the courtyard. “Where’s Danver?”
Galinor narrows his eyes at me. “Who’s Danver?”
Still embarrassed, I flush and look away. “He’s my fox, and he was here a moment ago.”
“You have a fox?” Galinor’s voice is full of disbelief. “As a pet?”
“Yes, he’s quite tame.”
Galinor looks at Irving, but Irving only shrugs. “It’s better than the skunk she had when we were young.”
Galinor gapes at me.
“What?” I ask.
I whistle for Danver. While I wait for him, I watch a little squirrel scamper up the fruit tree next to me. As I coo at it, Danver runs from the stables.
I turn to Galinor. “See? He was hunting mice. Foxes are lovely, helpful creatures.”
“Until they get into the chicken pens,” Galinor says.
I pick up Danver and glare at the prince. “Danver would never.”
Galinor shakes his head, dismissing the conversation. “If we’re going to track down this tree, we need to leave now.”
A man with light blond hair joins our group. “What tree? Where are we going?”
“Anwen, this is Prince Bran of Triblue,” Irving says. “Bran, this is Lady Anwen of Primewood.”
“A pleasure,” the man says, taking my hand. I bite my lip to hide my smile as he presses a kiss to my knuckles.
Galinor clears his throat. “I’m taking Lady Anwen to the eldentimber tree, and we need to leave now if I’m going to be back before dark.”
Irving laughs. “You meanweare taking Anwen to the eldentimber tree. I just sent a message to her family stating I’m taking full responsibility for her safety and well-being.”
Galinor furrows his brow, about to argue with Irving, but Bran cuts him off, saying, “Dristan and I were planning on riding back to Triblue today, but I can accompany you on your ride instead. We can leave tomorrow.”
“How is Dristan?” Marigold asks.
“Excellent,” Bran answers. “Physician Clarion is a miracle worker, and Dristan’s leg wasn’t injured as badly as we had first thought. He tires easily, and he still walks with a slight limp, but he is better than we could have ever hoped.”
I’m about to ask who Dristan is when Galinor cuts the conversation short. “Whoever is going, we need to leave. We will meet you outside the stables by the next bell. If you’re not there, I will go without you.” He sets his hand on my shoulder and guides me forward. “Lady Anwen, you will come with me.”
I glance over my shoulder and shrug at Irving and Marigold as we walk away.
“Your horse will need to be saddled, and I must introduce myself to your guard,” Galinor says.
I open my mouth but then close it and shake my head.
