Gwennore lifted Eviana in her arms and walked toward Lady Olenka. As she passed the queen, she bowed her head. “Good day, Your Majesty.”
Freya narrowed her eyes. “If anything happens to my daughter, I’ll have your head. I will not lose another child!”
Another child? How many had the queen lost? “I will protect her with my life,” Gwennore told her, then followed Lady Olenka toward the northwestern tower.
As she neared the general’s two companions, she noted there was a slight difference in their uniforms. One had three brass stars embedded in his leather breastplate, while the other had two. Did that mean they were officers? The general had four stars on his breastplate.
These men were handsome like the general—tall, muscular, long dark hair. No doubt they knew how to make a few ladies swoon. She blinked in surprise when they both smiled at her.
The general cleared his throat. “Aleksi, see if His Majesty is available. I need to speak to him.”
The one with two stars nodded. “Yes, my lord.”
“And Dimitri.” The general addressed the other officer. “You will go to the nursery and stand guard.”
Dimitri stiffened. “The nursery?”
“You’ve been promoted to chief babysitter.” Aleksi smirked, then winced when Dimitri elbowed him in the ribs.
“Aye, and he’ll be damned good at it.” The general waved at the two men. “Go.”
Even though the general’s voice was brusque, Gwennore didn’t miss the twinkle of amusement in his eyes. The two men saluted him, giving him wry looks. As Aleksi strode toward the northern wing, Dimitri headed toward the northwestern tower with Lady Olenka and Gwennore.
“By the Light, my heart is still pounding,” Olenka whispered as they neared a large double door. She glanced back at the general and sighed dramatically. “Did you hear him? He called me by my name.”
Gwennore snorted. “What else would he call you?” With her superior hearing, she caught the rest of the general’s conversation with the queen.
“Your Majesty.” He tucked her hand under his arm. “You must be exhausted. Please allow me to escort you back to your suite, so you can rest.”
“That is very kind of you, Silas.” The queen went meekly along with him while the other ladies-in-waiting followed. “I fear I’m not feeling quite myself these days.”
“Yes, I gathered that,” the general said, and the melancholy tone of his voice pricked at Gwennore’s heart. He did feel sorry for the queen after all.
“This way.” Olenka opened the door to enter the square-shaped tower. “Quickly now!”
Gwennore looked around as she stepped into the foyer. It was rather plain with a stone-paved floor and unadorned wooden paneling along the walls. The only furniture was a wooden table topped with seven pillar candles. The candles were marked with the hours of the day, and the lit one had burned down to early evening. The large, circular tray the candles sat on was decorated with seven jewels around the perimeter. A small metal arrow pointed toward the ruby. For Rubeday, she realized.
“Look,” she whispered in Eberoni to the little girl in her arms. “’Tis a weekly clock.”
Eviana turned her head to look. “It’s pwetty. Gwennie, when are we going home?”
“Soon, sweetie.” I hope.
“I don’t like it here. I can’t undesand anybody.” Eviana wrinkled her nose. “And my clothes are wet.”
Gwennore brushed back the little girl’s hair. “We’ll find something else for ye to wear. And give ye a bath. And have something to eat, all right?”
Eviana nodded.
“Will you please stop dawdling?” Olenka fussed in Norveshki as she rushed up the stairs. “We must hurry! The general will be checking on us soon, and we mustn’t disappoint him.”
Gwennore suppressed an urge to roll her eyes. Instead, she muttered in Eberoni, “Does he cause the sun to rise in the morning?”
Dimitri choked back a laugh.
Gwennore winced. Apparently, the officer had understood her. “Sorry.”
He stepped closer and said in Eberoni, “The nursery is on the top floor. Shall I carry the child for you?”
Eviana tightened her grip around Gwennore’s neck and buried her face against her shoulder.
Gwennore smiled. “I appreciate the offer, but I think I’ll have to keep her with me.”
Dimitri nodded, then switched to Norveshki. “I’m sure it’s been a difficult day for you both.”
Olenka stopped on the first landing of the stairs and glared down at them. “What’s taking you so long?”
“We’re coming.” Gwennore started up the stairs, slowly since she was carrying Eviana. She winced as the little girl’s wet clothes soaked into her bodice.
“I have to make sure everything’s perfect.” Olenka frowned as she smoothed her hands over the skirt of her burgundy gown. “If we hurry, I might have time to change clothes. But should I wear something bright and bold?” She struck a dramatic pose. “Or something more soft and sedate.” She folded her hands primly together.
Gwennore groaned inwardly. “I think the gown you’re wearing is perfectly lovely.”
Olenka sneered at her. “What would an elf know about anything?” She turned to Dimitri, who was trudging up the stairs. “Tell me, Colonel. What sort of woman does the general prefer?”
He gave her a wry look. “One with good manners.”
“Ah.” Olenka waved a dismissive hand. “Well, I have that covered.”
When Dimitri snorted, Gwennore bit her lip to keep from smiling.
Olenka brushed back a red curl from her brow. “If only I had washed my hair this morning!”
Gwennore sighed as she reached the landing. “There are more important things to fret about.” Like how traumatized Eviana would be. Or how soon she could get the child back home.
Olenka nodded. “You’re right. I should be thinking about what I’m going to say to him.” She gathered up her skirt and started up the next flight of stairs. “I need to be intriguing. Perhaps a little mysterious.”
“Why?” Gwennore followed her. “Is the general the only man left alive on all of Aerthlan?”
“What?” Olenka glanced back her, looking thoroughly offended. “He’s the most handsome man on Aerthlan!”
Gwennore shrugged. “He’s tolerable, I suppose, but
