Chapter 24: Three Falling Notes

Nobody had asked me that in my life.

I lay on my back under my mother's blanket and looked at the slanted ceiling, and I took my time.

"I want the kitchen door at Marwood to stay open," I said.

"Anyone who is hungry eats at the long table, and nobody asks them what they did."

"Yes."

"I want Cinder Row's seat at your court, and I want that old woman in it, complaining."

"She has already asked for a cushion."

"I want Ewan to learn his letters from somebody who isn't afraid of him."

"Yes."

"I want to be wrong about things without anyone chaining me for it."

His hand tightened in my hair.

"I want you," I said. "I want you, in my kitchen, burning the bread."

He turned onto his side.

"I do not burn bread."

"You will."

"What else?"

"I want to hear you hum."

He went quite still.

"I do not hum," said the king of Hartmoor.

"You will do that too."

He laughed, and then he was not laughing.

He looked at me, with the light going out of the window and his eyes gone gold and wet.

"Linnet. I have one more question."

"Ask it."

"Will you be my queen?"

I thought of the great hall, and four hundred wolves, and a ring set at a king's boots.

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