Page 85 of Skyshade
By the end of his tour, Grim seemed lighter. He ran his hand along the back of a chair carved in an intricate style she had never seen before.
“You look...happy,” Isla said, watching Grim take all of it in.
He nodded. “As a child, I was happiest here.”
“Why?”
“Because my father lived in the other castle,” was what he said.
“We can be happy here,” she said, putting her hand on his. Remembering the words he had told her before he had taken her to bed.
And, even as she hid her true purpose for being here, she meant it.
Grim had portaled in a wardrobe full of soft fabrics. Sweaters, pants casual enough to sleep in, thick tights to wear beneath her dresses. There were capes with hoods lined in furs, and gloves that would reach her elbows. It wasn’t all black, either.
“I thought you would appreciate color,” he said. The color in question was a mix of white, greys, and the occasional Starling silver, but she was grateful.
“This was thoughtful,” she said.
He looked almost sheepish. “All I ever think of is you.”
Isla stepped close to him. She went on her toes and didn’t even come near his height. “Remember when we first met?”
“Of course, I remember.” He pulled his shirt up, revealing the silver slash on his chest. “You made it difficult to forget.”
She rolled her eyes at him as he smoothed the fabric back down. “The Grim I first met would have been disgusted by the words that just came out of your mouth.”
Grim scowled. “Does this end in a point?”
She flicked his nose, and it seemed like he was trying very hard to glare at her. He ended up pulling her close to him. “My point is...people can change.”
His face softened. “If they have a reason to,” he said, reaching down to run his rough fingertips across the side of her face. Even that simple touch felt like sparks trailing down her skin.
“I want to see you relaxed,” she said.
“I am relaxed.”
He was wearing three different types of swords, a cape, and wraps around both of his arms. His spine was soldier-straight.
“Right.” She frowned. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in anything...casual.” She walked over to his own wardrobe and tore it open. Cape. Cape. Cape. Cape.
She turned around, exasperated. “You wear it when you’re alone too?”
He just looked at her.
“No.” She shook her head and grabbed his hand.
“Where are we going?”
“Take us to the closest village,” she said. Her plans could wait. If they had a couple of days together to celebrate their union, she wanted to enjoy them. “This time, disguise us as something fun.”
In the valley of mountains that resembled carnivorous teeth sat a village draped in snow. The houses were quaint, roofs like folded pieces of parchment, glistening with frost. Smoke rose from stout chimneys like steam from tea. She had never seen a place so beautiful.Isla gaped at Grim. “I can’t believe you weren’t ever going to take me here.”
Grim gave her a look. “Who said I wasn’t?”
She stared at him. “We were married for months, and I can’t seem to find this particular place in my memories.”
He grabbed her hand. “We’re still married,” he said. “And you hate the cold. I thought we established that.”
