Chapter 43
The summer was well advanced by the time I felt strong enough to join Neeve for an afternoon in the Darkwood. When I asked how she’d been spending the weeks, she shrugged.
“Weapons training, riding, schoolwork…” At this she made a face. “It’s quite boring without you in the classroom. Some herbcraft with Mistress Ainya. And lessons with Thorne, of course.”
Of course. In magic.
No need to say the words aloud. I glanced up at the canopy of green over our heads, wondering if the forest listened to our conversations.
“Will Thorne join us today?” I kept my voice casual, as though it didn’t matter to me one way or the other.
“No.” Neeve offered no explanation, and I couldn’t ask again, for then my show of nonchalance would be revealed as a lie.
Despite Thorne’s absence, though,
