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7
Mina was quiet the next morning. She’d woken before him and was sitting fully dressed at the end of their bed when he first opened his eyes. It’d been so long since he’d slept that well. It felt good to have her near him, but from her posture, and the quick motions of her fingers as she braided her hair, he could tell she wasn’t quite ready to admit she felt the same.
Getting up, he padded wordlessly to the water basin splashing his face and stretching his muscles. He slid his riding jacket back on and turned around to see her watching him.
“I’m sorry for waking you like that last night,” she said, squaring her shoulders, every bit the princess she’d been raised to be. “I’m not sure what came over me.”
He shrugged. “You had a hard day. Are you hungry? I’m sure we can find a meal for you before we get on the road.”
She opened her mouth, to protest or agree he couldn’t be sure, but her stomach let out a loud answering growl. Her jaw snapped closed, and her cheeks turned an adorable shade of pink. She cleared her throat. “Food would be good.”
Another voice cleared their throat at the door. He lifted his gaze and swallowed. “Lucy, what are you doing up so early?”
“I thought perhaps I could—”
Mina turned around and gasped the moment she saw Lucy standing behind her. She ran forward and threw her arms around the witch, squeezing her tight.
“By the Mother, Maiden, and Crone. Lucy? It’s not possible? How are you alive? Father said you were dead.”
Lucy pulled out of the hug and gave the princess an indulgent smile. “I got lost in the mist. I couldn’t return, so for all intents and purposes I suppose I was. I wasn’t sure you’d recognize me.”
“You two know each other?” Erik blinked rapidly looking back and forth between them. He’d thought something was off with the witch when she’d healed Mina, but he never would’ve guessed they knew each other. As far as he was aware the witch had no family.
Lucy glanced up at him and paled. “She’s my cousin.”
Mina shook her head and squeezed the witch tighter, tears springing from her eyes. “I’ve missed you so much.”
Lucy laughed, holding her tight. “As I’ve missed you, Duckling.”
“I think I will leave you two to get reacquainted and see to our departure arrangements,” Erik said, rocking on his heels.
“I will see that she’s well-fed, Your Majesty.” Lucy chuckled, disentangling herself from her cousin’s embrace.
Erik gave them both a respectful nod and started to walk out of the tent, but as he passed Mina’s hand caught him by the arm.
“No, don’t.”
He turned to meet her eye and frowned. “You’ll be safe with Lucy, it’s okay.”
Mina’s cheeks burned bright pink, and she pulled her hand back. “I just…I just thought we should present a united front if it’s…required that we…”
He could tell there was more she wanted to say, but she stopped herself before she revealed anything too telling.
“Iamcurious how Chef is faring out here in the wilds,” he said, taking pity on her.
Mina visibly relaxed and smiled. “Chef? Does he not have a name?”
“He does, and it’s Boris,” Lucy chuckled, looping arms with the Princess. “But don’t let him catch you calling him that. Everyone calls him Chef because he demands it. He thinks of it as a sign of respect.”
“Boris is quite the character. You’ll enjoy him, I think,” Erik said, falling into step beside Mina as they exited the tent.
“I know this is probably a silly question,” Mina asked, biting her lip again. “But do you eat?”
Erik fought the urge to laugh. “I can, but not much, and not often. My body doesn’t process food as easily as yours does anymore.”
“And your heart does beat,” she said, more to herself than to him. “I heard it last night.”
“Yes.” He nodded. “Just very slowly.”
