I awoke. Or, at least, I came back to myself. I was in my bed, surrounded by warmth and gentleness. I didn’t move, but cautiously searched myself for pain. My head no longer pounded, but I felt tired and achy, stiff as one sometimes is after pain passes. A shiver went up my back. Molly was naked beside me, breathing gently against my shoulder. The fire had burned low, nearly out. I listened. It was either very very late, or very early. The Keep was near silent.
I didn’t remember getting here.
I shivered again. Beside me, Molly stirred. She pulled closer to me, smiled sleepily. “You are so strange sometimes,” she breathed. “But I love you.” She closed her eyes again.
Nighteyes!
I am here. He was always there.
Suddenly I couldn’t ask, I didn’t want to know. I just lay still, feeling sick and sad and sorry for myself.
I tried to rouse you, but you were not ready to come back. That Other One had drained you.
That “Other One” is our king.
Your king. Wolves have no kings.
What did … I let the thought trail off. Thank you for guarding me.
He sensed my reservations. What should I have done? Turned her away? She was grieving.
I don’t know. Let us not talk of it. Molly was sad, and he had comforted her? I didn’t even know why she was sad. Had been sad, l amended, looking at the soft smile on her sleeping face. I sighed. Better face it sooner than later. Besides, I had to send her back to her own room. It would not do for her to be here when the Keep awoke.
“Molly?” I said gently.
She stirred and opened her eyes. “Fitz,” she agreed sleepily.