‘All smiles now,’ Grim said. ‘But yes, he was a bit of a mess for a while there. Easy to understand. I’d be the same if . . .’

‘Yes, well, you’d better be getting on,’ I said, turning so he couldn’t see my face. ‘If it rains again tomorrow, maybe you can come home in the morning.’

‘Maybe. Maybe not. Depends what happens with Bardán. And I’ve got business with Master Tóla. A proposition. Might get the job done quicker than we expected. That’s if he’ll listen to me.’

‘Go safely,’ I said. Drat these tears! ‘I hope it works out well.’

‘Make sure you get a good sleep,’ said Grim. ‘And do ask one of the fellows to ride back with you. Best not go on your own.’

‘I can look after myself.’

‘All the same. I can leave Ripple with you, if you want.’

One glance at Ripple was enough to tell me what the dog would think of that arrangement. ‘She wants to go with you. I’ll manage, Grim. Now I’d best get back in.’

‘Be safe, Lady.’ He said this so softly I almost didn’t catch it.

I couldn’t find it in me to reprimand him for using that name, the one he’d invented for me in the lockup; the one he wasn’t supposed to use anymore. Instead I looked at him over my shoulder and attempted a smile. Hoped he couldn’t see the tears. ‘You too, big man.’

Chapter Eighteen: Cara

18

~Cara~

It was meant to be. The rain, the distractions at the prince’s house, and then, when she passed by Dreamer’s Wood, the fact that Blackthorn’s cottage door was shut and there was no smoke from the fire, meaning the wise woman was not home. Then, the fields between Dreamer’s Wood and the bigger forest of Wolf Glen lying empty and quiet under the rain, save for a few miserable-looking sheep huddled under the trees and a scatter of ducks trying out the newly formed ponds. A crow kept pace as she moved quickly over the open area. The bird would fly a short distance, then land on a stretch of drystone wall or a convenient post to shake the damp from its feathers and wait for Cara to catch up.