When they got back to the castle, Zavian carried her down. As Zavian excused himself to attend to his duties, she called after him.
"Do I put this in the dinette or the kitchen for you?" She asked about the wrapped venison.
Zavian stopped walking. "I don't understand. I bought more for you. You loved it."
Neera's eyes brightened at that. "Thank you so much!" She said at once. The first thought that came to her mind was to share it with Pen, but as the thought came, so it fizzled away at the reminder that Pen no longer stayed at the castle.
She smiled at the King nonetheless. "It means a lot to me. Thank you." She said again.
Zavian smiled in return. With that, he let a guard lead the horse to the stable while he went to his throne room for a meeting. Neera treasured every bite of the venison as she ate it in the King's room. She thought she had no space for more in her stomach, but each bite begged to be eaten.
