Lark wrapped her fingers around his bag’s strap and thumbed it over her shoulder. “I would have loved to hear you and Eldrin play, but I didn’t get back from Stonevale until this morning. Yeah, I think you’re right about people being sad. You don’t look sad.”
Caelen’s eyes gleamed at her. “I’m happy because you rescued Uncle Roderic. I knew you would. You’re like Spiderman.”
“Come on, Caelen,” Eldrin called impatiently from their front porch. “We have soccer practice in an hour, and I don’t want you complaining about being hungry.”
“Spiderman?” Lark questioned. She angled toward the Frost home, her attention still on Caelen. He fell in line beside her.
“He’s an old comic book superhero. Grandpa Frost kept some comics in a box, and we get to read them sometimes,” he explained. “Spiderman could climb straight up walls like you, and he was a good guy. But he wasn’t real, and you are.”
When they reached the porch, Lark handed Caelen’s bag to him. “I’m real, but I’m no superhero.”
Caelen shrugged. “Close enough. Hey, do you want a sandwich? It’s OK if you come in because you’re Mom’s friend.”
Love, pride, and warmth swelled in Lark’s heart. For Azaleen’s son to accept her—admire her—meant more than she could process. But she didn’t want people to see her walking into the queen’s house, and she wasn’t sure how Eldrin would react.
“Thank you, Prince Caelen, but I just ate a little while ago,” she answered. “Maybe sometime I could hear you play your song. I need to hang outside the Capitol to see what my next assignment is.”
“Right,” he bubbled bashfully. “Someone else might need saving. And you don’t have to call me prince. My brother, Eldrin, is therealprince.”
“You are both real princes,” Lark said, tapping him on the nose, “and don’t you forget it.”
Turning away, she wandered back to the circle and Azaleen’s big brother’s statue. She thought about her father in Marchland, her little brother, sister, and Gramma in Saltmarsh Reach, and her mother, who had passed into the Universe’s embrace.He’s not really dead,she thought, looking up at the figure,just not in his physical body anymore.
She wandered the circle, taking notice of the birds, flowers, squirrels, and an orange cat who clearly believed she owned the walkway. The war hadn’t affected them. Nature wasn’t worried at all.Maybe it should be, she thought, considering the stories she had heard of the Iron Realm. But who knew if they were true? General Garcia’s advance—destroying all in his path—was no rumor.
At the sound of Azaleen’s voice, Lark spun, her pulse racing. The queen descended the front steps beside a striking woman with long black hair, her skin the color of rich tea.Sabine Fontaine, her chief of staff, Lark recalled. They altered course, strolling toward her. Lark swallowed a lump in her throat and straightened into parade rest.
Azaleen flicked a flirtatious glance her way, subduing a smile. “Sabine, you remember Lark Sutter,” she said easily.
Sabine extended a hand, and Lark shook it. “Yes, my queen. Who could forget how she burst into our lives?”
Lark felt her cheeks warm and dropped her gaze to her boots. She’d cleaned most of the mud off, but they would never shine.
“Actually, I have a few questions for our intrepid ranger,” Azaleen said. “Give my love to Ted and the kids, and Sabine—do try to get a good night’s sleep.” She brushed her friend’s fingers, dismissing her with a nod. The look they exchanged told Lark that Sabine knew something lay between them.
She’s Azaleen’s trusted friend. She must have someone to talk to, and I’m glad for it.Lark offered her a small wave.
“Precious.” Sabine turned around, laughing. “Try to sleep yourself.”
Azaleen’s brilliant blue eyes fixed on Lark’s, her lips curving. “Loitering in the circle, are we?”
“Well, not just that,” Lark replied, stuffing her hands into her jeans. “I showered, ate, walked around, had an enjoyable chat with Caelen.”
“Oh?” Azaleen glanced around.
“He’s probably off to soccer practice with Eldrin by now.” Lark cocked her head, brows arched. “Are you familiar with a character called Spiderman?”
Azaleen relaxed and let out an easy laugh. “He told you about Grandpa’s comic book collection, did he?”
“He saidIwas like Spiderman. Is that a good thing?”
Turning toward her house, Azaleen brushed Lark’s arm. It was a simple gesture—incidental even—but they were outside where people could see. A tingle raced up her arm and cascaded through Lark’s entire body.
“It’s good. Only you’re much more attractive … captivating …” Her voice lowered to a murmur as they meandered around the side of the house. “Stimulating, frisky, bewitching, and thoroughly kissable. Add that the only time I truly feel at ease is when I’m with you.”
Azaleen unlatched the gate to her backyard, surrounded by a six-foot cedar privacy fence. Lark held the gate open, her gaze tracing Azaleen’s lean lines and tempting curves, while the queen sashayed through. She threw a coy wink over her shoulder, a blush rising in her cheeks. Lark latched the gate behind them.
“Are you sure it’s all right for me to be here? I mean, before dark and all?”