44
Rena had found a quiet place in a corner of the clearing to play with the three children of Harkell’s extended family. Since she had come to live with her sister and brother-in-law, Elena had often left Rena to take care of Jake while she went off on business or pleasure with her husband. Rena did not mind. She needed something to fill the void left in her life.
In the few days that she had been in Tarkyn’s camp, she had flinched away if any of the woodmen had brushed past her, and her waspish refusals had virtually stemmed the flow of invitations to take part in any woodfolk activities.
She looked up as two of the woodchildren walked over to stand a few yards away, watching the children’s game. Rena recognised them as part of the prince’s family but, remembering Tarkyn’s stricture,
