Chapter 13 Standing Together

Scarlett’s POV (Now)

The King sent for me before I'd finished pinning up my hair. I was to meet him in the small hall. Edward would be there too.

Two clerks stood against the wall with writing boards. A servant waited by the door, keeping her eyes lowered.

"You will make another appearance together," the King said. "The betrothal announcement is behind us. We need something more."

"Where? And what are we supposed to do?"

"Let people see you together."

Before I could ask who would be watching, Adrian began explaining what he expected. I'd been told he was the King's brother, though I was still learning how much either of them could demand of Edward.

"The betrothal must bring results. A quiet border, and the pass open before the snow. Frostpine and Greywater are watching how Blackridge handles Redcliff. Your people will watch how you behave beside my nephew."

He went through the arrangements for the first eleven people on the list: transport, lodging, food and someone responsible for seeing them safely on the road. He mentioned Edward twice while describing it.

"He sent me the list," I said. "I've acknowledged that. Those eleven were my father's people before your nephew arranged anything for them."

I kept my eyes on Adrian. I didn't want to look at Edward and wonder whether he expected thanks too.

"That isn't the point," Adrian said.

"Then what are you asking me to say?"

He pushed a paper across the table. I read until I reached the words about living under the King's protection and accepting Blackridge's rule. I pushed it back.

"I won't say that."

"What will you say?"

"You can introduce me. I'll give my name. Scarlett Redcliff. I'm not going to promise anything for my people."

I put my hands on the table to stop myself fidgeting with my sleeve. The King didn't contradict me. Adrian left the paper between us and turned to Edward.

"You will be there. The border packs need to hear from you that Redcliff is subdued. Your mother's people will be in the room."

Edward paused. I watched him, waiting for the quick answer I'd heard him give in the carriage. Instead he took a moment before speaking.

"I'll do as we agreed."

I didn't know what they'd agreed to, or why mentioning his mother's family had made him hesitate. Adrian studied him, and one of the clerks began writing. I looked down at the paper I'd refused, wondering what would happen if Edward refused too.

The King rose. "Rehearse this afternoon. Both of you should know where to walk and when to turn."

Edward held the door for me afterward. I went through without asking about his pause. I was still angry about the speech they'd tried to give me, and I wasn't sure he'd welcome a question about his family.

That afternoon, I arrived at the side hall with his waterskin tucked in my coat pocket. I'd meant to give it back as soon as I saw him. The room was colder than the corridor, with long windows casting light across the floor. A pale scratch in the boards ran from the doorway toward the middle of the room. Edward stood near its far end.

"We'll walk from the door to here," he said. "Stop, turn together, then continue."

"That's all?"

"That's all we need to practice. There'll be people on either side. It will be easier if we know when we're turning."

He showed me where to stop, then came back to the door. He counted as we set off, and I moved on two instead of three, almost walking into his arm. He stopped and guided me back by the elbow.

"Again. Wait for three."

"I heard you."

"Then wait for it this time."

I went early again. On the third attempt, I put my heel down before he'd finished counting and brushed his sleeve with my shoulder. He frowned at me, and I had to press my lips together to keep from smiling.

"You're doing that on purpose."

"Yes. For the beam."

It pleased me to make him stop and start for once. He'd made crossing that log look so easy, then stood there while I argued about falling off it. I straightened my coat, waiting to hear what he'd say.

He looked at me for a moment, then led the way back to the door.

On the fourth attempt, he placed a hand at my waist to guide the turn. I stopped listening to the count. I could feel his palm through my coat, and for a moment I wanted to turn closer to him instead. My next step was late, and then I stopped altogether.

I stepped back, unsure what to do with my hands now that we weren't moving.

"You don't lead very well."

His hand dropped to his side. He didn't argue, which left me standing there with nothing to object to. I wished I hadn't moved quite so far away.

"Again, then," he said.

He waited for me to return to the starting place. We went through it twice more. I followed his count, and he didn't touch my waist again. I watched his hand as we turned, then looked ahead before he could notice.

When we finished, the waterskin bumped against my hip. It was still in my pocket. I could have taken it out then, but he was already stepping away, and I let him go without calling him back.

Naomi was by the window when I returned to my rooms.

"How did it go?"

"They want me to stand beside him and say I accept Blackridge's rule. I told them they could introduce me, but I wouldn't say that."

"Have they set a day?"

"Not yet. Edward said he'd do what they'd agreed. I don't know what that means."

I didn't mention how he'd hesitated when Adrian spoke about his mother's family. I hadn't asked him, and I didn't want to guess aloud with Naomi. I took the waterskin from my pocket and put it on the stool.

"You haven't given it back?"

"I didn't find a moment."

She glanced at me, but didn't ask why. She sat me down and began taking out my hairpins. I told her about deliberately starting on the wrong count, and how Edward had finally noticed. Then I told her about his hand at my waist and losing my place in the steps.

"He turned me too suddenly," I said. "It wasn't my feet. And he didn't try it again."

Naomi paused with a pin half out of my hair, then drew it free. I waited for her to ask whether I'd wanted him to. When she didn't, I kept quiet too.

The light outside had faded to the bottom of the window. I thought about stepping away from Edward and how he'd stayed where he was. At the time I'd been glad he hadn't tried to pull me back. Now I kept remembering the warmth of his hand through my coat.

After Naomi left, I went to the door and counted to three under my breath. I walked toward the window, stopped and turned.

There was no hand at my waist this time.