As Alaric guided me upstairs, his hand remained protectively at the small of my back. Once we were safely out of earshot from the parlor, I glanced at him suspiciously.
"There's no urgent message from Alistair, is there?"
Alaric's mouth quirked into a half-smile. "Perceptive as always, my dear. No, there isn't."
We entered our bedchamber, and I sank onto the edge of the bed with a sigh as he closed the door behind us.
"I saw your face when I walked in," he explained, leaning against the bedpost. "You looked like a cornered rabbit facing a hawk."
"Your mother does have rather sharp talons," I admitted. "Though I suppose I should be grateful she's merely critical and not cruel."
Alaric crossed his arms. "What was she saying to you this time?"
