Chapter 12: Let Him Leave

Caerovan asked for the garden door to be opened when he arrived at Ysmerelle's house.

The footman carrying his open travelling bag held it steady while he climbed out.

Ysmerelle waited beside the bench.

She had accepted the visit because she wanted to see him.

She'd invited Thalvian separately because she wanted the exclusion explained without Odrienne speaking over him.

A private conversation in her house didn't come under the public gatherings the duke could bar.

Caerovan looked at the other man's gloves on the bench.

"He's here?"

"Yes," she said.

The duke's wings lifted and settled.

He went toward the low garden wall instead of asking to be put on the bench.

A flat stone projected near the top.

He jumped toward it, caught its edge and pulled himself up.

The stone wasn't flat after all.

His hind feet slipped into the shallow channel where rainwater drained.

He stepped across the channel and discovered the other side ended against a rose stem.

Ysmerelle put one hand beside him.

He inspected the thorns before stepping onto her palm.

"The bench will do," he said.

"If you're willing."

She set him down on the clear part of the seat.

He was below Thalvian's face when her guest returned from the house.

He didn't climb onto anything else.

Thalvian took his gloves.

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