Even The Sparrows Have Forgotten by N.C. Hayes

Author:N.C. Hayes [Hayes, N.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Catchfly Publishing
Published: 2024-01-19T00:00:00+00:00

XII

The carriage arrived promptly at midday, as promised. Reed stood a step behind me, ready to place my bags on board and say one last brief farewell before I was to be gone for three days. We had not spent a day apart in all the time I’d lived here and now we were to be separated for what would feel like forever while I played happy wife at Ever’s side.

“There’s a knife in your boot, correct?” Reed asked.

“Unless it has disappeared since you asked me ten minutes ago, yes,” I replied.

“Good. Keep it under your pillow while you’re at the palace.”

“I’ll do it, if only to humor you. I won’t need it.”

“You never know, Margot. You are his wife, and he has not lain with you since your wedding night,” Reed grumbled. “He may decide not to take no for an answer.”

“Ever is many things, but he is not a monster, Reed. I’ll be fine,” I insisted as the carriage door finally opened, and my husband stepped out.

“I just need you to come home in one piece,” Reed breathed while Ever approached, smiling warmly. The driver hopped down to assist with the bags, taking one while Reed grabbed the other and walked it to the carriage. Ever bent low, took my hand, and brushed his lips over the back of it for a formal greeting.

“Margot,” said Ever kindly. “You look well. That color is stunning.”

“Oh, thank you,” I said shyly, resisting the urge to examine myself. I wore an emerald green cloak trimmed in white rabbit fur over the top of my dress. Sparrow Court did not have winters as cold as it had been here, so I asked Arlie to send for something appropriate for the wet Serpent Court winters, and this was her selection. “You look quite handsome too.” He gave his usual tight-lipped smile, and if I had not known better, I would have sworn a brief flush of red stained his cheeks.

A few more seconds of silence lingered and then Ever said, “Well, we’d better get on the road. Don’t want to be late.”

“Of course,” I said quickly. Ever offered his arm but before I took it, I turned back to Reed, who had placed himself behind me once again. “Thank you, Mr. Cypress. I’ll be back soon enough.”

“We’ll be waiting for you, milady,” Reed said with a quick bow of his head. When he looked up again, I saw his face etched with worry. I wanted to kiss him, tell him all would be well— tell him that despite his fear and dislike of the lord, my husband would not harm me. Instead, I nodded once more in Reed’s direction before turning to join Ever by the carriage. He helped me up the steps himself before climbing in after me and shutting the door behind him.

We were an hour into our journey before either of us spoke. Ever stared out the window in silence from the moment we were off, and so I matched him, watching the countryside roll by.

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