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THE BIRDS WERE SINGING. The sunlight splashed across the bed, warm and cozy. Essie stretched, truly refreshed and relaxed for the first time in a week. A nightmare-free night for both her and Farrendel. She wouldn’t take it for granted again.
Like expected, Farrendel’s side of the bed was empty. She propped herself onto her elbows and peered out the nearest window. About a hundred feet away, barely visible in the foliage, Farrendel’s silver-blond hair flashed in the morning sunlight as he back flipped from one branch to another.
The perfect morning. As nice as it would be to linger, she needed to be ready when Farrendel returned. After rolling out of bed, she picked out clothing from the armoire. Elven tunic and trousers with a human-style skirt on top. Her people probably weren’t ready for a woman in trousers strolling through their capital city just yet. It would be enough of a shock to see elves.
As she sat at the dressing table in front of the mirror, Farrendel swung through the window, landing lightly on his feet. With barely a pause, he crossed the room and kissed her temple.
“You seem happy this morning.” Essie tried to smile up at him while her hands were filled with her partially braided hair. This was the Farrendel she’d begun to see at the elven retreat of Lethorel. Not to mention, it must be a good sign of his relaxation that he wasn’t wearing his shirt. He’d felt secure enough here that he hadn’t covered his scars.
“Yes.” Farrendel sat cross-legged on the floor next to her. “What are we doing today?”
Essie hurried to finish her braid. It was hard to appreciate Farrendel’s muscles while watching what she was doing to her hair. “I was thinking it would be a good day to visit the market in Aldon. If we drop in unannounced, we shouldn’t have problems with protestors. I have several places I’d like to take you. And after the market, we can exit the far side of the city and take the horses for a run. I arranged with the palace maintenance staff to install shower spigots in Buckmore Cottage while we’re gone, and I figured you wouldn’t want to be here for the bustling. I think they understood what I was asking them to do. We’ll see when we get back, I guess.”
Farrendel was giving her hislook. The far-too-blank expression that said he was internally laughing at her while she rambled on.
Essie would’ve shaken her head, but she was gripping the end of her braid. She picked up a hair ribbon to tie it off, but it would be easier if she had both hands free. She held out the end of her braid to Farrendel. “Can you hold this?”
His expression didn’t so much as flicker as he pinched her braid just below her fingers. With Farrendel holding her braid, she tied the green ribbon tightly.
“Thanks for your help.” She smiled, her head still cocked as Farrendel gripped her braid.
He gave her hair a slight tug, his mouth tipping into something almost like a smirk.
“Don’t you start! You spent too long with my brothers yesterday.” Essie leaned closer, intending to tug his hair in return. But the move put her face only inches from Farrendel’s. Her breath caught with his nearness. Even if he was sweaty after his morning routine. Sweaty, and still shirtless.
He closed the distance, his kiss starting gentle before deepening. His hand traced across her cheek into her hair. Her hands found their way into his long, silky hair, her thumb skimming the top of his pointed ear.
She should’ve thought to move to Buckmore Cottage before. No brothers to interrupt. No servants to barge in. Only Jalissa somewhere down the hall, and she had far too much sense to come charging in.
When he pulled back, she leaned her forehead against his and said the first thing that came to mind. “You’re all sweaty and gross.”
“Sorry.” Farrendel’s smile didn’t look all that sorry. He snatched one more kiss before he stood.
“The water closet is down the hall.” Essie turned back to the mirror and grimaced. “You messed up my braid.”
Farrendel gave her that almost smirk again as he grabbed clothes and strolled from their room.
Essie tucked her hair back into place as best she could without redoing the braid. She didn’t want to undo the ribbon Farrendel had helped her tie.
Once both she and Farrendel were presentable, she organized their trip to the market. Jalissa accepted her invitation to go along. Avie couldn’t come. He couldn’t manage two days off in a row. Nor could Julien. But Edmund decided to tag along. Probably to spend time with Jalissa more than Essie, but at least that would leave Essie free to focus on Farrendel.
Of course, an escort of guards had to come as well. By the time they were done, they had a party of nearly twenty headed into Aldon. A far cry from the relaxed stroll just she and Farrendel had taken through Estyra.
Compared to the elven capitol city, Aldon was a massive, sprawling thing bustling with nearly as many people as the entire population of Tarenhiel. Aldon wasn’t the type of city that royalty could just stroll through without some preparation.
By the time they rode through the gate in front of Buckmore Cottage, Farrendel was getting his restless, slightly grumpy look that meant he needed breakfast soon.
The guards obligingly cleared the way to the market. As they rode through the streets, Farrendel and Jalissa glanced around, crowding their horses close to Essie and Edmund.
