Chapter 42

That was not his responsibility though, he was to safeguard her through his family’s machinations and if, at the end, she decided to leave Winter Haven at least she would have the freedom to do so. Naerin sat down on his bed and considered his options. There was only one that he could take and that was to continue to be honest with her about the things that his family was planning. She deserved to be kept abreast of the plans, deserved to be aware and advised. So he would ensure that she was advised and would continue to build the charade that they were constructing so that by the time the observers arrived it would be easy to believe that he was doing as his mother had instructed.

He went to walk her home that evening, ignoring the part of him that was excited at the prospect. She looked tired, had flour in her hair and smiled at him when he walked up. She had a nice smile, even if it didn’t quite suffuse her tired eyes. “Hi, how was your day?”