Johan started to get red in the face.

“And I’m sure Johan, Vanka and all the tenants, farmers and staff of the Arbor would be honored to play host to the King of Firenze and his new queen, their very own Silence,” his mother carried on, sitting back, smiling a very small smile and aiming her gaze to Vanka. “Isn’t that so, Vanka?”

“Of course,” Vanka chirped nervously, her eyes darting to her husband.

“So that’s settled.” Mercy folded her hands in her lap. “Lovely.”

“Is this your wish, my Silence?” Mars murmured to his bride.

She tipped her head back and replied, “Your wish is my wish, my king.”

Something about her expression, her demeanor, her answer or all three caused Mars to appear impatient for a moment before he muttered, “Would that was so.”

Angry pink tinged Silence’s cheeks as she looked to the table.

“Ah, mia rosa. Amo così tanto il mia rosa,” Mars whispered, but did it loud enough for others to hear.

My pink. I so love my pink.

Upon hearing it, that pink got pinker and Silence became very busy with smoothing her napkin in her lap even if it appeared she’d finished eating.

Mars chuckled.

Silence’s head snapped up and she told the table at large. “Before the tent goes down, I’ll return. I didn’t sleep well last night and could do with a wee rest before we carry on with our journey.”

She started to get up.

“Excellent, I’ll join you,” Mars announced, also making a move to rise.

She sat back down. “On second thought, Aunt Mercy just poured tea. It’d be a shame to waste.”

She then reached to her tea.

Mars settled into his seat and chuckled again.

His cousin’s eyes shot to True.

He gave her what he hoped was an, I’m sorry, I can’t help you though still encouraging smile.

She turned her head to the side, a side where Mars was not, and sipped her tea, sharing she was not encouraged.

True sighed.

“Maybe, prior to us all being off, Farah, Silence and I can take a walk and have some Sisters of the Beast time before we separate,” Elena forged into the breach.

Ah, Elena.

She missed nothing.

And if she could do something to help, she would, which she clearly intended to do if the speculative way she was glancing at Silence was an indication.

“Elena and I are heading to The Enchantments,” Cassius told Mars.

“You are?” Melisse asked.

“We’re all going,” Jasmine put in. “Hera and I and Cassius’s guards.”

Melisse looked to Elena.

She then smiled.

“The Enchantments?” Gallienus queried with distaste.

“We have time now, and we might not prior to traveling to Sky Bay after True and Farah wed,” Cassius replied. “I wish to see the home of my betrothed and it will be good for her to have some time there.”