A sob broke from Hilda’s chest. She raced for her husband.

I didn’t understand. Only noble families, their inner courts, and their guards would be invited into the palace for the feast.

Movement across from me revealed Edvin running forward. Only when he wrapped a woman cloaked in a tattered woolen cape in his arms did I realize Freydis, his wife, was here, bound furs and satchels strewn about her feet. She sobbed against her husband’s chest.

Their three children darted for their father.

Hilda had arms and legs entangled around Gisli. She kissed his brow, his cheek, his throat, over and over, as though she had forgotten the very taste of him.

“They’ve been granted land here.” I startled when Kael materialized at my side. He grinned, watching our fellow crafters love their missed families.

“What do you mean granted land?”

“They’re here to stay. Hilda and Edvin can have their families again.”

I pressed a hand to my heart, tears rising in my throat. “What made King Damir allow it?”

“Ask your guardian.” Kael winked and jutted his chin across the bridge. Standing beside Prince Thane at the doors, Roark observed the crowds with the same silky darkness as the night we met. Now I wondered if it was more that he became unsettled by those who strode past the Draven Sentry, whispering and wondering.

“Ashwood is right terrifying.” Hilda emerged from the bustle, tears on her long lashes, Gisli’s hand curled in hers. “But I’m not so convinced he’s all stone and cruelty now.”

I squeezed her arm and beamed at bashful, kind Gisli, who could not peel his eyes away from his wife, as though he could not quite believe she was beside him again. “How did he do this?”

Gisli lifted his head. “The Sentry? Oh, as we understand it, not long after Skalfirth, he petitioned the king for our families to be relocated to Stonegate. We heard after your service to the prince, the king finally agreed.”

“He petitioned the king right after we arrived here?” Why hadn’t Roark mentioned it?

Hilda’s melancholy faded. Joined with Edvin and his family, she babbled on about the jagged points of the palace and how the style was not to her liking, yet still rather majestic.

I only heard bits and pieces, my mind and focus skirted over the heads of the caravan until I found him.

The same sharp pull, a hook on a rope, fastened in my chest. Soon enough, Roark’s gaze sifted through the chaos and found mine.

I returned a watery smile and moved my fingers in his gesture, Thank you.

The Sentry took me in a moment longer, then bowed his head for a drawn beat before he looked away once again.

32

Lyra