Page 100 of The Last Wish of Bristol Keats
Her face caved. “Please, can we go into your tent and talk? I only need five minutes.”
Eris looked over his shoulder. Tyghan was waiting for him. “As you can see, now is not the time. But when we get back to the palace, I’m sure Ivy can find a place in my schedule for you.”
Dahlia watched him walk away. Was this what she had done? Shoved him into one little compartment of her life that was safe and scheduled? She rubbed her brow. She wanted to tell him she had let the past go. That she only wanted to move forward and focus on their future. She sighed. He never looked back as he walked away, but she wouldn’t give up. When this was over, she would make an appointment with Ivy, if that was what it took, to tell him exactly what he deserved to hear.
The evening wore on as bonfires were lit, more game was roasted on spits, and casks were opened. Cully scoffed at all the food. “Do they think this is their last meal?”
“Could be,” Dalagorn said, unbothered by the plethora of food. “At least something worthwhile is coming out of all this wallowing.”
But the dancing was the last straw. When Bogshollow struck up their drums and fiddles, the Danu contingent headed back to their camp. This wasn’t a party, and even Fomoria wouldn’t buy that Danu was celebrating.
When they reached their encampment, Tyghan spotted Sashka, and then Hollis talking with Officer Perry, and finally his eyes landed on Julia. She was standing outside his tent, and he hurried over.
“Julia,” he said, breathless.
She smiled. “I suggest you retire for the night, Your Majesty. Tomorrow will be a long day. I will stand watch for you.”
He nodded and went in.
His tent was dark, only a tiny flame flickering in a lantern cast a thin light. His gaze swept the shadowy corners. As she pushed her hood back, Bristol appeared, an ethereal apparition becoming flesh. He ran to her and held her, his hands rubbing her back, his lips brushing hers, her mouth eagerly opening to his. “I missed you,” he finally said.
“What will we do if we’re ever apart for more than a day?”
“Die,” he answered. “How long have you been here?”
“Only a few minutes.” She told him she slipped inside as planned while the others gathered information outside. “You saw the birds?” she asked.
“All four. Like clockwork.”
She smiled. “Thank god.”
He assured her it all went according to plan, and Kormick suspected nothing. “It’s all going perfectly, Bri.”
She asked him a hundred questions about the parley and the other kingdoms and the city of tents. “It’s impressive,” he said. “I wish we were here for another reason. You’ll see it tomorrow.”
She told him more about what was going on at the garrison. “The regiments from Eideris and Greymarch arrived. Maddox is getting them positioned for tomorrow.” She bit the corner of her lip, her eyes suddenly dark. “And my mother. Have you seen her?”
“No,” he answered. “We didn’t see her, but we rarely do. He keeps her out of sight. But I’m certain she’ll be here and visible tomorrow. Kormick wants a spectacle.” He squeezed her hand. “I know it’s going to be hard for you to see her, especially beside him. You’ll be okay?”
“Of course,” she answered. “I have no other choice.”
Her lashes fluttered downward for a moment and when she looked back up, he recognized the mischief in her eyes. “Now that we have a few private minutes . . .” She slipped a finger in his belt and tugged him closer.
“So what kind of sex is this going to be?” he asked.
“Quiet sex. The walls are thin, and the tents are close. You don’t want your knights to think you’re having more fun than they are, do you?”
He shrugged. “Maybe?”
“Don’t you like a challenge?”
“I’m up for it. But itwillbe a challenge, especially with what I’m going to do to you.”
Julia, Avery, and Rose cleaned out their saddlebags, making room for new provisions. They startled at a sudden crash and crack of wood from the king’s tent. Rose and Avery jumped to their feet, drawing their daggers. “Slow down,” Julia said. “Bristol is in there with the king.”
Rose wasn’t convinced. “But the noise. Something might be wrong.”
Julia smiled. “I think the king’s cot was just a casualty of enthusiasm.”
