Page 82 (1/1)

Gemma raised an eyebrow "Have I lied to you before, My Lady?"

"I know, I’hed, squeezing Geht Gemma’s spine cracked

"You deserve this happiness"

"Thank you, Gemma No, I mean it," Queen Linnea said when Gemma started to curtsey "None of this would have happened--none of this would have been possible without you" The new queen hesitated, her hand lingering on her dagger "I know I asked you to stay with ment

"I realize now that’s not possible," Queen Linnea continued as she shifted her gaze to her husband "I don’t have the right to stand between you and thatwith disdain as she mentioned Stil "And I will miss you terribly, terribly much When he comes to take you away, youPrince Severin and his allies In all likelihood, you will see him before I do when you answer Prince Severin’s summons," Gemma soothed

Queen Linnea shook her head "Gemma, the man faced down a monarch and a country for you The truth is, as soon as he thinks Verglas will notto co the secret desires of Gemma’s heart

Ge feast--a tihed, looking down to adjust the skirt of her dress When she looked up, her eyes landed on King Toril, and she sain She turned to look at Gemma, her smile still in place "All I wanted to say is that…I understand I understand why you will leave, and whenever you co--even the army--to welcome you home"

"Thank you, My Lady," Gemma said, deeply touched by her friend’s words

"Linnea," Toril called

"Right I should return to the rest of the guests Enjoy the food--take some back for the furball!" Queen Linnea called over her shoulder as she headed for her husband, herbehind her

Gemma shook her head at her friend’s retreat and turned herself in the direction of her table Grander ladies They were eagerly swapping gossip and stories as they crowded around the table that was specially prepared for Ge on dried fruit and kru villager bowed to Ge a platter mimicked the motion when she noticed Geiant, and all the laughter and shouts of celebration s to h a servant door

Her head eased the instant she closed the door behind her, but Geh the palace--which she no quite well She found her way to the courtyard and gardens that overlooked Lake Sno and breathed in the cool, spring air

The tranquility of the lake and the silence of the gardens soothed Gemma

When a cold, wet nose bumped her hand, Gemma did not screa you anything," she said, kneeling down to run her hands through the luxurious fur of her hellhound-turned-guardian

The wolfish creature panted happily, his tongue hanging out as he twirled his curled tail Somehow, the canine always knehere Gemma was and found her--even if she locked hioodness Jo-Jo was even less impressed with Hvit than she ith Grand her head on her coet white hair all over her clothes, but she didn’t care With King Toril properly crowned and Lady Linnea married, there was little else Gelas She was free Free to travel and, hopefully, find Stil

SheWhen she closed her eyes, she could still see the way his blue eyes glealas was beautiful as usual, but Gemma was surprised by how deeply she felt Stil’s absence It was like a piece of her left with hi so far as to collect his tongue into his mouth Then his nose twitched, and he returned to his happy pants, s his cold nose in Gemma’s ears

"Gemma"

Perhaps Gemma missed Stil too much She could have sworn she heard his rich, melodic voice

"Gemma"

Gemma peered over Hvit