She kept ascending the stairs, murmuring, “I’ll tell you later.”

This meant, but moments after she spoke her words, Prince Cassius of Airen did something he never thought he’d do in his life.

He entered the Nadirii Queen’s home.

And he did it smiling.

“Do you think they’re asleep?” Elena whispered.

“No,” Cass only sort of whispered.

“Do you find this odd?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think they find this odd?”

“Perhaps. However, Aelia is in fits of glee. She’s not stuck in a lifeless castle with no one to play with. The woman who will help raise her can make doves fly from her hand. And she has a sister.” He dropped his voice lower. “Dora’s mother left her once, and didn’t come home, and I’m an arsehole for sending her away from you after an attack on the castle and the worst quake we’ve felt without you getting the chance to explain things to her.”

Ellie, resting her chin to her crossed arms on his chest, his back to her bed, head up on her pillows, pushed down with her arms and replied, “It’s done. We’re moving on.”

Cass sighed.

He then brushed the backs of his finger against her cheek and changed their subject, going gently.

“Your mother has worsened.”

She turned her head so she could rest her cheek to her arms.

He curved his hand along her jaw.

“Ellie.”

“I have that medicine that G’Liam gave me. I shall ask one of our healers to test it, and if it is all right, give it to her.”

“This is probably wise,” he murmured.

“Are you offended?”

He was not.

But at her question, he was perplexed.

“Offended?”

She put her chin to her arms again to catch his gaze.

“There was no fanfare. No great parade. No grand celebration the Prince of Airen had arrived. Just tea and cakes and we were sent off home so I could make you a humble dinner of hearty vegetable pie and treacle tarts.”

He smiled at her. “It was good tea and cakes.”

“Cass.”

“And you’re an excellent cook, which is surprising.”

At that, Elena appeared perplexed.

“Why is that surprising?”

“A woman handy with a staff and a wooden spoon? You’re every man’s dream. While I sit back and get fat, you can feed me and defend my citadel.”

She lifted up in order to slap his bare chest but did this grinning.

“Not to mention, that pie was delicious and there was not a measure of meat in it,” he went on.

“I shall make you swear off meat,” she declared.

“You shall not,” he returned.

She gave him a stubborn look.

Cass had one arm about her, he wrapped the other one around, dragged her up his chest then rolled her to her back with him now pressed chest to chest to her.