Page 63 of The Broken Prince
The blanket was over her arms and legs as she sat near the fire. Her eyes dilated in the light as the emotion swept through her. “I can’t believe they attacked Delacroix.”
“They’ll be back, I expect.”
“But we’re prepared, right?”
I nodded, not having the heart to tell her the truth, at least tonight. “If you ever want a position at the castle, let me know. I can find something for you in the treasury.”
“It’s okay,” she said. “I like the bakery. I think it’s badass that Harlow is so skilled with the blade and Atticus will be general of the army, but I like what I do.”
“Then that’s what you should do.” She was supposed to take my place as steward upon my death, but if she didn’t want it, she didn’t have to take it. I’d rather she do whatever made her happy. “It’s getting late… I should go.” I wanted to stay there forever, to have my daughter look at me the way she used to, but I had so many other things to worry about.
“Okay.” She tugged off the blanket and walked with me to the door.
“You can come back to the castle…if you want.” Our section of the castle had several bedrooms and living rooms, making it comfortable for all three of us to have our space. It had worked out well before. Maybe we could do it again.
“I actually like my cottage a lot…”
I nodded in understanding. “That’s fine.” I hid my disappointment as best as I could, reminding myself that she was a grown woman who wanted her privacy, just the way I’d wanted it when I was her age. “Goodnight, sweetheart.” I pulled her into me and kissed her on the forehead. “Love you.”
She said the words that made me melt into a puddle on the floor. “Love you too, Father.”
* * *
When I returned to my chambers, Avice was on the couch in front of the fire, staring at the flames instead of reading a book, obviously stressed about everything I’d told her. It took her a moment to realize I was there. “How is she?”
“We’re finally in a good place.” I couldn’t help but smile, treasuring the feel of her in my arms.
“That’s great to hear.”
I moved to the couch beside her, the flames instantly warm when I drew near.
“Did you tell her…?”
I shook my head. “I didn’t want to scare her.”
“I’ll ask her to join us in the castle.”
“I already did. She said no.”
“But if she knew the circumstances, perhaps she would give a different answer.”
“She’s right next to the bakery. It’s more convenient for her. And until we explain why we want her closer, it won’t make any sense. Let’s leave it be for now.” Truth be told, it had been a great night, and I wanted to hold on to that…for a day or two. “I told her what happened with us… Hope that’s okay.”
She was quiet.
“I thought she deserved the whole story.”
“I understand.”
I sat beside her, several inches of space between us, but there was still a feeling of closeness there, like we were on the same team again. I’d seen my wife and daughter on the same day, so it was the best day of my life. “I’m going to shower.” I left the couch and hung up my armor and weapons in the closet before I washed off under the warm water. I stood there for a couple minutes, just to cherish the memory of my daughter’s love. I’d been estranged from them both for so long that I couldn’t believe that used to be my life, seeing both of them every day.
I returned to the bedroom, and Avice was already under the sheets. I wasn’t sure if she’d sleep with me tonight or use one of the spare bedrooms to have her space, but she was there…waiting for me.
I pulled back the covers and got into bed in my boxers, feeling her warmth because she’d been between the sheets for a while. The mattress had never felt so soft. The room had never felt so warm. My nightstand used to be littered with old glasses with drops of scotch at the bottom, but now there was water instead.
She was on the other side of the bed, turned on her side, facing me.
Our lives could be over very soon, so I wanted to roll on top of my wife and consummate this new marriage. I wanted to feel our bodies connect, our adjoined souls dance. But I also didn’t want to rush her, not when I was just happy that she was with me.