The Twelve Kingdoms: Heart's Blood by Kennedy Jeffe

Author:Kennedy, Jeffe [Kennedy, Jeffe]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Brightlynx Publishing
Published: 2016-03-06T05:00:00+00:00

6

Conrad never did return, but the geese knew their routine. As the sun descended in its early decline, the afternoon dimming into grays, the geese began to gather around her, expectant. She counted them all as present and started up the path, the birds forming an escort around her as dignified as any of her ladies had back home. It made her smile to think of it, how offended those ladies would be by the comparison—and her current circumstances. If just one of them had been brave enough to leave home, none of this would have happened.

If your mother only knew, her heart would break.

But it had been one of the nicer days she’d spent in a long while. Especially once Conrad took himself off and she found her pattern of walking. Watching the geese was peaceful, something her life hadn’t been since the betrothal and the whirlwind of preparations to leave home. On the road to the castle, she passed a few of the same farmers and merchants as she had that morning and they nodded to her in greeting.

Back at the stables, the geese eagerly poured into their warm pen. Then set up a fuss, honking at her. She tried singing to them, but they only surged and teemed, hissing and snapping at her skirts.

“I believe they want their grain.”

Nix whirled, startled to see Prince Cavan looking in the open half-door from the yard, his horse’s reins in one hand, as the handsome stallion also peered in with bright interest.

“Forgive me, Your Highness.” She hastily curtseyed, remembering herself, casting her eyes down in respect. “I didn’t know you were there.”

“Nothing to forgive—who could hear a thing over that ruckus?”

Her face heated. “I know I’m supposed to keep them quiet, but I’m still new at this. Grain then? I’ll find it.”

The prince nodded at a stable lad who hastened up to take the stallion’s reins. “Fetch a bucket of whatever grain the geese get, would you?”

The boy nodded and led the horse off. As if they knew their supper would be on the way, the geese settled, still pacing expectantly, but thankfully without the honking and hissing.

Nix curtseyed again, not sure what else to do. “Thank you, Your Highness. I am abashed that you had to arrange that for me. I promise to do better in the future.”

“No worries.” He leaned against the doorframe and folded his arms in a relaxed pose, showing no sign of moving on. “Wasn’t young Conrad to show you the ropes?”

How did he know that? The prince smiled at her, that bright, easy flash of a grin he’d given Mrs. Crocker. “You look so shocked. I asked Brenna what place had been found for you. Is that so surprising?”

“No, Your Highness...I mean, ah—” She cut herself off, thoroughly flustered and annoyed with herself for it. Then she met his gaze as he waited for her to finish, amusement lightening the gray of his eyes to sparkling silver. “Yes. It is surprising to me. I—it would not have happened back home.

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