“I nearly sliced you in two when I first got here,” I said, patting my sheathed knife.
“Keeping up your practice?”
“Not a bit, I’m afraid.”
I stooped to pick up the blanket, but he stopped me, grabbing my arm gently and shaking his head. “It’s not right that you had to practice in private, Lia. When I’m king, things will be different.”
“You plan on seizing the throne soon?” I teased.
He smiled. “The time will come. But promise me in the meantime to keep up your practice.”
I nodded. “I promise.”
“Hurry, then, before it gets dark.”
We gathered up the blanket and basket, and he kissed my cheek. “You’re happy with your new life here?”
“I could only be happier if you, Bryn, and Regan were here with me.”
“Patience, Lia. We’ll figure out something. Here, take this,” he said, shoving the basket into my hands. “A little morsel in the bottom to tide you over. I’ll stop in again before I leave on patrol. Stay safe until then.”
I nodded, mulling over the realization that he had so many responsibilities now—husband, father, soldier—and ultimately heir to the throne. He shouldn’t have to fit worries of me in there too, but I was glad he did. “Give Greta my love and glad tidings.”
“I will.” He turned to leave, but I blurted out another question, unable to let him go.
“Walther, when was it that you knew you loved Greta?”
The look that always descended on him when he spoke of Greta settled over him like a silken cloud. He sighed. “I knew the minute I laid eyes on her.”
My face must have betrayed my disappointment. He reached out and pinched my chin. “I know the arranged marriage planted seeds of doubt for you, but someone will come along, someone worthy of you. And you’ll know it the minute you meet him.”
Again, it wasn’t the answer I hoped for, but I nodded and then thought of Pauline and her worries. “Walther, I promise this is my last question, but have you any news of Mikael?”
“Mikael?”
“He’s in the Guard. He was on patrol. A young blond fellow. He should have been back by now.”
I watched him search his memory, shaking his head. “I don’t know any—”
I added more scattered details that Pauline had given me about him, including a silly red cravat that he sometimes wore when off duty. Walther’s gaze shot up at me. “Mikael. Of course. I know who he is.” His brows drew together in a rare menacing way, darkening his whole face. “You aren’t involved with him, are you?”
“No, of course not, but—”
“Good. Steer clear of his sort. His platoon’s been back for two weeks. Last I saw of him, he was at the pub, fuller than a tick, with a maid on each knee. That scoundrel’s got a sugared tongue and a swooning girl in every town from here to Civica—and he’s known to brag about it.”
I gaped at him, unable to speak.
He grimaced. “Oh, good gods, if it’s not you, it’s Pauline. She had eyes for him?”
I nodded.
“Then so
much the better that she’s free of him now and here with you. He’s nothing but trouble. Make sure she stays away from him.”
“Are you certain, Walther? Mikael?”
“He boasts about his conquests and the broken hearts he’s left behind as if they’re medals pinned on his chest. I’m certain.”