Page 138 of Arrows and Gems
He’d missed her, but he couldn’t help comparing her unsteadiness to the brazen confidence of the woman currently on her way back to Ralnor. But at least he still had his sister to balance their mother’s silliness.
Daphne pulled him aside after Mother finally released him. Her hazel eyes bore a hint of sadness. “I’m sorry it took so long to prove your innocence. You spent a year in hiding while I did next to nothing. I’ve been trying harder since Raoul and I returned from Castellia, but—”
He tilted his head. “Why are you apologizing? I didn’t expect you to do anything.”
“Because I had—” She paused and leaned closer, whispering, “Did Father not tell you about the handkerchief?”
“Handkerchief?” Rafe stared at her. What would a handkerchief have to do with…
His eyes widened. “Clarisse’s?”
Two hundred years earlier, a magic-user had gifted the king’s oldest daughter, Clarisse, with a handkerchief capable of changing the carrier’s appearance. Father had mentioned it once, but Rafe thought it was a legend.
Daphne nodded. “Aunt Chloe gave it to me on my twenty-first birthday. I’m getting better at using it, but it helps to have Raoul stand guard when I’m…investigating.”
Rafe raised an eyebrow. “Investigating?”
“I may have also learned to pick locks in the last few months. And done so for Helena.” She winked.
He blinked at her. For Helena?
“She was snooping around in the General’s study.” Shrugging, she added, “I figured it couldn’t hurt to see what she was up to. And I wanted to find out what she knew about Le Capuchon.”
Enough to care for him. But not enough to know she shouldn’t.
They fell silent. Rafe glanced at his mother, who was arranging her wide skirts while Cedric lost himself in one of the books Rafe had bought him. Such a picture had once been familiar, but it felt strange after his time away.
Daphne’s eyes followed his. “The payment for your wager arrived just before Helena did. Cedric has been buried in a book ever since.”
“Did something change since I left?” he asked, forcing one side of his mouth up. “The little brother I remember was always in a book.”
She chuckled. “True. But he seems determined to get through the entire set of Stewart’s mysteries before my wedding.”
Her wedding. Rafe wasn’t sure how he felt about his little sister getting married.
“We were waiting for you to come home,” she added hesitantly. “I imagine Mother will be sending out invitations later today.”
“And it’s not the only wedding coming up,” Raoul added, dropping an arm around Rafe’s shoulders.
Rafe shook him off. “Save your charm for my sister.”
Laughing, Raoul stepped forward next to Daphne. “It’s good to see you back to yourself. Your relief at being home has clearly worn off.”
“I’m fairly certain it’s just you, Raoul,” Daphne said lightly. She tilted her face to accept a peck on the cheek. “Not even a year away can make a hug from you acceptable.”
More that the thought of weddings was making his shoulders tense. But he wouldn’t tell them that.
“I should have known.” Raoul grinned good-naturedly. “But perhaps I can redeem myself by delivering the news that Jean-haut and Marielle are betrothed. Finally.”
“What?”
Raoul laughed. “The queen may not survive the idea that her niece is marrying a forester, but Marielle’s parents seem pleased. And I know Rafe wants to see them both happy.”
But instead of agreeing, Rafe looked away and reached for the fletching of his arrows.
“Rafe?” Daphne sounded concerned. “Aren’t you happy for them?”
He nodded. “Of course.” But he couldn’t find words of congratulation for either couple. Not when his heart was on the way to Ralnor with the princess he’d given it to.
