The Echo of Broken Dreams by C. J. Archer

Author:C. J. Archer [Archer, C. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: C.J. Archer
Published: 2018-12-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Itried to stay away from the palace the following day. I spent most of the morning foraging for plants on the slopes of Lookout Hill then steeping leaves, crushing roots, and hanging flowers up to dry. Unfortunately those tasks were ones I did often and required little concentration, allowing my mind to wander to the previous evening's events. As much as I tried to focus on what we'd learned at the tavern, I kept thinking about Dane and the kiss. The more I thought about him, the more I wanted to see him again. Not even a visit from Meg could sway me once the decision had been made.

"Why not come with me to the palace?" I said from where I stood at the table grinding seeds with the mortar and pestle.

"You're mad." She lifted the lid on the pot hanging over the hot coals and breathed in the smell. "I can't just turn up at the palace. Neither should you."

"The guards on the gate know me, and the captain will vouch for me." Even as I said it, I hoped Lady Deerhorn wouldn't see me. I'd have to be careful.

She replaced the lid and joined me at the table. "What will you tell him when he asks why you're there?" The gleam in her eyes told me she knew exactly why I wanted to go, even though I'd not told her about the kiss.

"I'll think of something." I pushed a bunch of cavassa roots at her. "Bind those together for hanging."

She screwed up her nose and held them at arm's length. "They stink. What are they used for?"

"Skin conditions. Once they're dry, I'll boil them with a few other ingredients to make an ointment for rashes, warts— Warts! Yes, of course!" I wiped my hands down my apron and checked the larder shelves until I found the jar of ointment. There was just enough left.

"Josie, what have warts got to do with anything?"

"I almost forgot about a patient at the palace." I held up the jar. "He needs some of this."

"Now you have your excuse."

"I do. Will you come with me?"

She climbed the ladder in the larder and tied the bunch of cavassa roots to the beam. "You don't need me to deliver a jar of ointment."

"You'll see the palace finally," I said, untying my apron.

"I don't care to see it."

I knew it was a lie but didn't say so. "You'll probably see Sergeant Max too."

"Why? Does he have the warts?"

"No, but we'll go to the garrison." I waited for her to return to the kitchen so I could see her face. She was pretty, with kind eyes and full, sensual lips, yet she didn't see those features. When she saw her reflection, she only saw the birthmark.

"I have no wish to see the sergeant or the palace," she said, brushing past me. "Unlike you, I don't have the captain's confidence. His men will throw me off the estate if they catch me."

"They'll do no such thing." I caught her hand as she brushed past me.

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