Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 162269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 162269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
“The journey is not long to the castle, but do you need refreshments before you go?” the constable asked.
This was a commendably polite hint that he had things to do and they should be on their way.
Thus, Teddy stood.
“No, we’re fine. We’ll be on our way.”
The constable nodded. “Thank you, again. There were many questions that needed answers with that sorry business out east and you provided them. Mixed tidings to those who lost, but soon, some families will rejoice.”
Teddy nodded.
And then there was a good deal of hand shaking before they left the office, he collected his women, Faunus collected his men, and they rode to Birchlire Castle.
\
“I go with you.”
“Faunus.”
“I go with you, Teddy.”
They indeed had been received by the staff of Birchlire.
In fact, Sir Alfie Henriksson, True’s captain and counsellor greeted them himself, stunning Teddy by looking in robust health and fine spirits while sitting in his chair.
There was a lovely woman at his side who had twinkling brown eyes, and both Sir Alfie and she, who went by the name of Bronagh, assured Teddy and his party all their needs would be met before asking them to join them for supper in the informal dining room.
They had accepted.
Teddy had seen to it his women were settled while Faunus had seen to it his men were.
And now, in their room, before they prepared for dinner, he needed to go speak with Moira.
“I hope it won’t offend you, as I believe it won’t surprise you, that you are not her favorite person. She has endured much. I do not know what the end of that means for her but clearly there is something troubling her and I would know it before we make our journey home.”
“No, I am not her favorite person, for you are. To her, I am simply the man who will take you away,” Faunus retorted. “But do not think she is not mine, for you are hers and this is something that gives me happiness.”
Teddy liked his words so much, he didn’t know what to say.
“And as such, I saw her reaction and I am concerned as well,” he continued. “So, I will go with you to see to it she is all right.”
Teddy considered this before he made a decision.
“Just keep quiet,” he ordered.
“I will not keep quiet if I have something to say,” Faunus returned.
“Well then, if you have something to say, make certain it is not something that will upset her.”
Faunus sighed.
“All right, let us go,” Teddy muttered.
He moved to the door, feeling Faunus move after him, but he stopped at it and looked up to his friend.
“We have not talked about you becoming a Trusted,” he noted.
“No, we have not, but we must for I have not become a Trusted, not yet. And I must have your permission to do so.”
Teddy blinked in bewilderment at this statement, and as he did, he did not have the opportunity to ask after what that meant for Faunus reached beyond him and opened the door himself.
He determined to understand Faunus’s meaning later as they moved down the hall to where Moira’s room was located.
One thing at a time.
Even Dellish, he’d never been to Notting Thicket, thus he’d never seen the castle.
He had heard it was grand and immense, but it was far grander and more immense than could be imagined.
They could host twice as many women and Firenz warriors and have room to spare.
And Teddy thought this was good, for after what they had endured, he quite liked them to be spoiled with a stay at King True’s castle.
They both stood at the door, but it was Teddy who knocked.
Moira opened it, looked to Teddy, to Faunus, and said, “Oh, it’s you.”
“Poppet, let us in.”
“I have to get ready for dinner. Bronagh sent us gowns to wear and—”
“Moira, please,” he whispered.
She looked to the side, then again to him, to Faunus, and finally she stepped back, fully opening the door.
He and Faunus entered her chamber, but they did not take seats in the comfortable seating area by the cheerfully crackling fire.
They both turned to her.
“Now, tell me what’s troubling you,” he urged.
“Do you care? I mean, why are you even here?” she asked Faunus.
“Yes, he does care,” Teddy said quickly before Faunus could reply. “He knows what you mean to me, what we’ve been through together, and what means something to me means something to him.”
She was glaring again at Faunus.
“Moira,” he called.
She kept glaring at Faunus, who stood there, holding her gaze, and silently taking it.
“Moira!” Teddy clipped.
Her eyes shot to Teddy.
“You will go, and you will be with him and you will…and I will…and the girls will go home, and I will…”
She swallowed.
“You will what?” he prompted gently.
“They were scared,” she declared.
“Yes, we all were,” he replied.
“Terrified.”
“Yes,” he agreed.
“But I was…I should have…”