“And you?” she asked, before Addolgar could list the reasons all of his kin would be involved in this. “Why are you doing this?”
“That’s easy. Because I like you.” He grinned. “I like you a lot.”
“Why?”
“Because you make me smile.”
“You’re Addolgar the Cheerful. Everything makes you smile.”
“Not everything. And if I want to like you, Braith of the Darkness, I get to like you. Whether you want me to or not.”
“Why wouldn’t I want you to?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because I’m not a royal?”
“Is there anything about me, Addolgar, that says I embrace being a royal? That I live my life as a royal? Anything?”
Addolgar thought on that a moment before replying, “Not really.”
“The Penardduns may be royals, but you don’t find any of them living in Devenallt Mountain or attending any of the parties or rituals. My mum hated that stuff. Didn’t see the purpose of it at all. And I have to agree with her. I only attended royal events to keep my father off my back.”
“So, when this is all over, if Addiena strips you of your title—”
“As long as I get to go back to my cave and be left alone, I won’t give a flying centaur shit.”
Addolgar glanced up and saw Mary wave to him from the stairwell. “Come on.” He took Braith’s hand and led her from the table and to the stairs. They went up the three flights and walked down the hallway to the last room. Mary held the door open for them.
“Think you’ll be needing anything else tonight, Addolgar?”
“No. We’re fine. But we’ll be up early tomorrow. We’ll need food before our trip. And if you have any bread and meat that can go with us, I’d appreciate that.”
“Of course. Me and Mum will take care of it.”
“Thanks, luv.”
Mary nodded at Braith and walked out, closing the door behind her. Addolgar led Braith across the large room to the fireplace. She immediately held out her hands to warm them and Addolgar took her cloak from her.
“I’ll make sure to keep the fire going tonight.”
“All right.”
“Why don’t you get some sleep, Braith?”
“I will.”
He stepped behind her. “I meant now.”
“I don’t know how you expect me to get any sleep with so much on my mind.”
“You need to sleep if we hope to get any real traveling done tomorrow.”
“The territory between here and the Northlands is enormous, Addolgar. My father could be anywhere.”
“I know his route.”
Braith faced him. “What do you mean, you know his route?”
He shrugged. “I heard from Brigida.” He pointed at his forehead. “Up here.” Although he should only be able to do that with his siblings and parents, those rules had never stopped Brigida from popping into anyone’s head whenever she damn well felt like it, no matter her relation to them. Many believed it was because of her powers as a White Dragonwitch that she was able to do so with such ease. Others believed she was a demon who could burrow into anyone’s soul. Addolgar decided to believe the White Dragonwitch angle so he could sleep at night.
“From here, we head west to the borders between the Southland and Outer Plains. She says we’ll find him there.”
“Dense forests in those parts. We’ll have to be careful.”
“You know the area?”
In answer, Braith only shrugged and walked toward the bed. She stopped before reaching it, spun around, and asked, “Are you sure we shouldn’t leave now to find—”
Addolgar placed his hand over Braith’s face. He had big hands and he covered almost all of her face. “You need sleep. I need sleep. We will not be traveling anywhere tonight.”
“You,” she said behind his hand, “don’t have to keep doing this when you don’t like what I have to say.”
“Apparently I do. Otherwise you wouldn’t keep saying those things.”
He dropped his hand, gazed down into her face. “I’m by your side on this, Braith. We’re in this together. Stop worrying about things that are already in motion. Already said and done. Our focus should be on our goal. Getting your father and bringing him back for the Queen to deal with. Don’t let anything else drag you down.”
“I just feel so guilty.”
“For the actions of your father? No wonder you and Ghleanna get along so well. Whatever your father has done or will do, it has nothing to do with you. Just as my father’s illustrious past has nothing to do with Ghleanna or any of his offspring.”
Braith shrugged. “Well . . . I could see how your father’s past could follow—” Braith sighed deeply from behind Addolgar’s hand. “You did it again.”
“You were saying something I didn’t want to hear.”
She slapped his hand off.
“Ow!” he barked while laughing. “What was that for?”
“I’ll get some sleep,” she replied. And with that, she got on the large bed and stretched out. Then, stiff as a board, with her arms by her sides, Braith lay there.
“Good gods, female,” Addolgar muttered. “What did you do with yourself before I came into your life?”
“I lived quietly alone in my cave,” she snapped back. “And I was quite happy there, too.”