He walked away, bringing his own game to the pile of meat that had been dumped onto the large counter in the middle of the scullery. He joined the conversation with ease, leaving Jonet staring after him with her heart pounding in her chest.
She did not know what had just happened, but she was certain that something had. It left her flushed with heat, her legs a bit unsteady as she walked away. She kept thinking about that short, odd conversation all the way to her room and while she changed. Not once did she think of Matthew’s terrifying incident.
Not until later that night, when it followed her into her dreams.
Matthew could not sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, he thought of that arrow that had nearly went between his eyes. He paced his room for a bit, hoping it would tire him out so that he could go to sleep easily, but when that failed, he decided to take a walk through the Castle.
Moonlight shone through the large windows, lighting his path. He trailed slowly, letting his mind wander this time. He could not stop thinking about the situation. Even though he knew he should be, he only wanted to make sure that his deduction of what had happened had been true.
For Jonet’s sake and for his. She had been distressed all day, even though she had been trying her best to pretend she was not. He regretted ever telling her anything and he promised himself that if anything were to happen again, he would keep it to himself and figure out the truth on his own.
But nothin’ will happen because it had only been an accident caused by a hunter.
“Oh.”
Matthew looked up, his chest tightening at the familiar voice.
Indeed, Jonet stood before him, wearing a long nightdress. Her hair blanketed her face and she was standing in a swathe of moonlight that seemed to make her glow. He ran his gaze down the length of her, remembering how she had been covered in flour just a few hours before.
It had begun as an amusing sight. The carefree yet well put together Jonet was nothing but clumsy in the scullery. He had started to suspect something when she would always act a bit defensive whenever he mentioned having his sweet cakes.
The amusement had melted away too quickly as his mind had wandered. He thought her changing into something that was not covered in flour, then pictured her stripping out of her dress down to nothing. Once his mind had reached there, there was no turning back. He had not been able to stop himself, unable to keep from thinking of her naked body underneath her dress and petticoat.
The same could be said of that moment while she stared at him in surprise.
“Can ye nae sleep?” she asked.
“Aye, I cannae. I was hopin’ that a walk would calm me mind some.” It was a miracle he could even form proper sentences with her nightdress clinging to her curves in such a delicious manner. “What are ye doin’ up?”
“I couldnae sleep either,” she admitted. Her voice was soft, as if she were afraid to wake anyone else in the Castle if she spoke too loudly. “I was just headin’ back to me room though.”
“I’ll walk ye then.”
She nodded. As they set off, Matthew could see she was acting a little awkwardly. He could not blame her. They were alone, after all.
“What is on yer mind?” she asked after a while.
“I think someone is plaguin’ me dreams.”
“Yer dreams?”
“Aye,” he confirmed with a nod. “I keep dreaming of a woman in white. She has black hair and eyes the color of the earth. And she has a smile that can light up the world—”
Jonet huffed a laugh. “Cannae ye ever be serious about anythin’?”
He could. Most of the time, he was. Matthew did not know when exactly he had dropped the act, but he wasn’t going to question it. If he had what he wanted in the end, then all would be well. “I can be serious,” he said. “I was only trynae lighten yer spirits before I ask ye why ye couldnae sleep.”
“Without botherin’ to answer me question first?”
“I will answer ye if ye answer me,” he grinned.
Jonet rolled her eyes. It was odd how much he liked it when she did that. “That isnae how it should work, but I will go along with it, I guess. I think ye ken why I couldnae sleep though. After what ye told me this morning, all I can do is worry.”
“I suppose ye want me to stay away from open windows then.”
“Matthew…”
“Ah, aye, aye, I’m sorry. I shouldnae make light of it when it’s clear that it bothers ye. But believe me when I say, Jonet, that it is nae what ye think it is.”