“And I yours, miss.” She nodded and returned the mare to her stall.
I tucked the hood around my messy plait and followed the row of tall torches mounted into iron posts that illuminated the path to the crofter’s cottage. When I arrived, Syndrian was waiting in the shadows, and he stepped beside me.
“Lady,” he murmured, keeping his distance.
I chuckled. “Syndrian, you practically kissed me out there under the stars. After all these years, anyway, I think you can call me by my first name.”
He reached out and gripped my hand before I had the chance to knock. “Pali,” he breathed, my name sounding otherworldly and beautiful spoken in his voice. Somehow, without the formality of Lady or Miss before it, my name felt somehow intimate traveling between his lips.
With the excitement of the afternoon behind us and the uncertainty of what it all meant ahead, I gazed into his face.
“Do you wish to speak freely in front of Biko and his mother?” he asked. “We may ensnare them in trouble we would prefer not to share.”
I looked at his hand, his fingers on my skin. Here, at a place that felt like home, the contact felt more sensual, more personal, than the rough, cautious hold he’d had on me in Kyruna. With our safety momentarily assured, I removed his hand from my wrist and clasped his hand in both of mine.
“Thisis my true family,” I reminded him. “I would no sooner bring them to harm than I would myself. But if we wish to speak in private…” I shrugged. “There is no other place on my father’s property.”
He nodded, a rough, brisk movement as he seemed to consider our options. I looked into his eyes, the torchlights and pale moon casting shadows over his dark stubble and the full lines of his concerned frown. “All right, then.”
I released his hand, and he knocked roughly on the door. Idony opened it after what seemed like a half moment’s wait. Her eyes fell on Syndrian first, and she opened her mouth to welcome him but fell silent as she saw me standing behind him. She looked over his cloak and mine and what must have been tense expressions on our faces, because then she looked past me, as if looking for something. Without a word, she pulled the door open and hurried us inside with a purposeful wave.
“Come, come,” she murmured, touching Syndrian’s shoulder in welcome, and then closed the door firmly behind us.
Once I was inside, Idony took hold of both my shoulders and gazed into my face. With one hand, she brushed my hood back and smoothed the wild stray hairs back from my forehead. “Pali,” she said, sucking in a worried breath. “What happened?”
“I’m quite all right,” I said. “I found myself in a bit of trouble, but Syndrian was a more than capable guide.”
“Of course he was.” Idony nodded at him. “Come, sit. What do you need? Hot tea? Have you eaten?”
“I dunno about the lady,” Syndrian said, “but a quiet place to talk would be most appreciated.”
Speaking of quiet… The cottage was unusually still.
“Where is Biko?” I asked.
Idony flicked a glance at Syndrian, but seemed to avoid my eyes. “He’s still out,” she explained. “In the fields. I expected him back by now, but he has been taking a bit of extra time at night to patrol the orchards.”
I caught the hint of concern in her voice. “Patrol?” I asked. “Have there been problems? Threats on the estate?”
Idony’s face relaxed into a reassuring smile. “Oh, no, love. Nothing like that. Biko has been…going through some things. He needs a bit more time in the wild, that’s all. Outside under the stars. The estate and the land are just fine.”
Syndrian nodded, seeming to understand what Idony was not fully explaining to me.
“So…” She pulled up a chair at the table and motioned for me to sit. “You two wish to have a quiet conversation?” Her grin was motherly, knowing. As if she was delighted, but held back her feelings. “I’ve long wondered when you two might finally address what the rest of us have long observed.”
My cheeks flushed hot as I avoided looking at Syndrian. “I’m sorry?” I asked. “I don’t think I understand.”
He cleared his throat, and Idony poured us both some water. Syndrian drank the entire mug, thanked her, and then nodded at me. “Lady—er,Palihas an interest in the gaming tournament in Kyruna.”
Idony sniffled loudly and clasped her hands in front of her, her delight melting into a look of concern. “Ohhhh, my. Really? Whatever for?”
“I’ve been to Kyruna with my parents in the past,” I explained. “I was hoping to investigate the tavern and see if I might play.”
Idony looked as though she wanted to say more but pressed a single finger to her lips and studied my face. “Surely there are games to be played right here in Omrora?”
“None with a substantial prize to be won at the end,” I insisted.
Idony turned to me, disappointment plain in her voice. “So you seek the winnings.”