13. Returned

The previous night swam through Lark's head as she packed a large canvas bag with her belongings. After their kiss, August has escorted her to the castle entrance and she had returned home. He had rested his hand affectionately on her waist as they crossed the drawbridge together with her mare close behind. As he lifted her effortlessly into the saddle he had kissed her so lightly on the forehead that she could hardly feel it. Her visit had been exhausting but as she returned home she found herself unable to sleep. By the time she finally drifted off the sun had nearly risen. Now that she had awoken, it was time for her to embark on her journey. 

August had sent word to her employers and she met them in the dining room with their children to say her farewells. The girls clung to her skirt and whined for her to stay, but their mother gently brought them to her side. 

"We will miss you," their mother said with a smile. "You have done very well here. We hope your next endeavor is successful."

Lark bowed her head humbly.

"Thank you, my lady," she replied. "It has been my honor to have this opportunity. I would be happy to visit once I am available, if it pleases you."

The girls nodded and exclaimed eagerly and insistently until their father relented. 

"Of course," he said warmly. "You are welcome any time. Best of luck."

Lark gave a final curtsy and stepped into the sunlight where her horse was waiting. King circled overhead and as Lark hopped into her saddle the black bird dropped from the sky and landed in her shoulder. Together they made their way down the sunny road to the castle feeling both excited and contended. When they arrived, King lifted back into the deep blue sky and landed neatly in a tall oak tree. As the bridge lowered and she trotted into the castle courtyard, the bird watched inquisitively. It seemed he understood that she would no longer be present at the distant farm. 

In the following weeks he would visit his old home occasionally but she was never there. He soon moved into the courtyard permanently to bring Lark gifts and sit with her when she was embroidering in the garden. 

As she dismounted, Lark was greeted by a familiar guard. He took her horse to the stable and she entered the main hall alone, her heart beating so fast she could hear it surging in her ears. No one was waiting in the vestibule, so she made her way quietly to the harem hall, where some of the girls were playing a card game. She hesitated at the doors, worried how they might react. After a moment she decided to calm herself before meeting them and snuck into the courtyard. She sat herself on a bench in a secluded part of the garden and breathed deeply. She was more anxious than she had expected. She knew it was unlikely that August would meet her as he slept until sunset but she was still disappointed. Their kiss still lingered in her mind so she was happy for the distraction when King dropped from the sky and hopped up to her with a gift held in his beak. It was a small pinecone.  Lark held out a hand and he rested it gently on her palm. Smiling, she scratched him affectionately on the forehead and thanked him. But all of the sudden a voice rang out, startling the raven back into the sky. 

"Lark?" Lark clasped a hand to her chest, surprised by the sudden exclamation. But she recognized the voice. It was Ariane. She had been tending her flowers, clothed in loose muslin tunic. Her hair was hastily pinned up and she wore no jewelry but she was prettier than ever. Despite her beautiful gown Lark felt overshadowed. Yet she was still happy to see her former friend. She rose to her feet and bowed her head. 

"Ariane," she replied. "It's lovely to see you again." Ariane rushed towards her, tossing her empty watering can onto the grass. She gathered Lark up in an enthusiastic hug. 

"They never told us where you went," Ariane said breathlessly. "But I hoped you would return." Her smile was dazzling and Lark lowered her head in embarrassment. 

"I chose to leave," she admitted. "But I have found that it was a mistake. I was living peacefully but there was nowhere to go. I hope this will become my home at last."

Ariane hugged her again, this time more gently. 

"I am happy for you," she whispered. But her expression was suddenly conflicted. "But I would watch out for Vayn. She has been spitting venom since you disappeared. Spreading rumors. She greatly influences Madame Fawst. We have received lectures on loyalty and our privileges. I can imagine she will be very frustrated to see you again."

Lark nodded, her eyes wide. She appreciated the warning but was unsettled to hear that she may not be welcome. She had never expected the harem to be excited to see her, but she found herself thrust back into poisonous castle politics just for returning. She hadn't foreseen that any of three women might care enough to spread rumors. She would need to be vigilant. But she remained confident. She entered the harem hall with Ariane behind her with her head held high. 

Vayn did not mask her displeasure as Lark curtsied before her, Rose, and Fae. The other girls only looked up from their card game with polite smiles and bowed their heads politely. When Lark left them and approached her room, Vayn spoke. 

"That room is not yours anymore," she announced, rising to her feet. "You have no room in this hall."

Ariane glared at Vayn but Lark remained composed. She nodded and exited the hall without a word, Ariane hurrying behind her.

"She is vile," Ariane spat. Lark smiled sadly and stepped into the main hall of the castle before replying. 

"My only concern is where my new chamber is," she insisted. "I am exhausted."

Ariane looked lost. 

"I'm sorry," she replied. "I have no idea where they will put you. As I said we had no idea you were returning. The master moved Vayn into your former room and her room has been converted into a small library and office for our studies. You could ask Madame Fawst..." Lark sighed, leaning heavily against a cold, stone wall. 

"She will not see me," Lark complained. "She will turn me away." Ariane agreed with a shrug. With few other options, Lark bid her friend goodbye and found a guard near the castle's entrance. She asked him if he knew whether or not she was expected and he confirmed that he did. 

"Madame Fawst was supposed to greet you," the guard told her. "Has she not arrived?" Lark shook her head, lowering her eyes in feigned sadness. The guard took pity on her and left to find the matron. But he returned with Bernard instead. 

The gentleman bowed to her, which Lark matched with a curtsy, and offered an arm. Lark took it and followed him towards the lord's wing. 

"So you have returned," Bernard said softly. "I admit I am relieved. The master was morose and difficult after your departure."

Lark blushed deeply and was unable to reply. 

"You were an excellent student," Bernard continued. "I look forward to our ongoing lessons." Lark was flattered and felt her face redden more deeply. But before she could reply Bernard stopped at an unfamiliar door. It was impressive, a heavy piece of black wood painted with a dark landscape. 

"W-where are we?" Lark asked. They were now in a familiar part of the lord's wing. It was close to August's bedchamber though she couldn't determine which of the nearby doors led to his private rooms. 

"This is your room," Bernard explained. He opened the door for her and led her inside. The chamber was beautiful and spacious. The small sitting room they had entered was decorated like much of August's wing. The dark furnishings weren't to Lark's taste but she felt oddly comfortable among them. Bernard led her through the suite to her bedroom. The canvas bag of her belongings was already there, settled on a large trunk at the foot of her new bed. A canopy of black silk fell like a dark waterfall from the bed's tall posts to the floor, pooling on the deep red rug beneath. Lark stood still, absorbing the knowledge that she had been purposefully moved from the harem into a much grander position. With her chamber so close to the lord's the harem would have much to discuss. She wondered if Vayn thought she would be turned away. She would be enraged to know that her own hatred had likely pushed August to make this decision. He knew Lark would not be safe sleeping among the other women as they all fought for the lord's attention. 

Bernard's voice beckoned her back to reality and he led her to her private bathroom, a small door to a tiny walled garden, and a cozy room packed with books and pillows. Lark felt her excitement building as she inspected the hundreds of aged volumes and Bernard looked on approvingly. He made a few suggestions, pulling books for her to choose from, and then finally departed. Lark was left with her thoughts. She found herself drawn to the garden despite her love for her personal library. It was a small circular space with a small fountain in the center but the earth itself was bare. Though some grass grew in the empty beds Lark was eager to fill them with flowers and herbs instead. She had always loved growing things and missed her herb garden at the orphanage where she grew up. This may be an opportunity. She pulled a chair from her chamber and sat in the sun. She sang softly, a song she had learned as a child, and tried to focus on her potential future. But King soon interrupted her again, crying out to her from the wall of the garden. She reached out for him and he landed beside her. She pet him and spoke to him until the sun began to set. 

As the light faded she bid King farewell and brought the chair back inside where she found the table set with a generous meal. She had been so distracted that she hadn't realized how hungry she was. She ate greedily and then unpacked her bag, displaying her embroidery on the wall beside her canopied bed. The pieces looked completely at home among the furniture August had chosen, as if they were meant to be there. A maid entered the chamber after a brisk knock to light the lamps and Lark laid back on a lounge chair to read the first of the books Bernard had recommended. Though she hoped August would call for her after sunset she desperately tried to distract herself. But she couldn't focus and after reading the same passage multiple times, she tossed the book away in exasperation. As it thumped against the floor she heard another knock on the door. Assuming it was another maid, Lark called out for them to enter. But instead of a maid she looked up to see Bernard had returned. He bowed and she scrambled to her feet to curtsy in return. He gestured out of the open door.

"The lord wishes to see you," he announced. "Are you prepared?"

Lark hid the happiness that rose up inside of her and nodded, not even bothering to check her appearance in the mirror. Bernard entered her chamber and shut the door behind him. Confused, Lark raised an eyebrow questioningly. Though she had previously trusted Bernard, this intrusion was certainly concerning. But before she could protest, Bernard swept past her and approached a large dark curtain. It seemed so typical of August's taste that it had not even occurred to her yet to see what was behind it. It seemed like just a wall covering. But Bernard pulled it swiftly back, gathering it and tying it with a golden cord. Behind it was a small door. Bernard beckoned her. 

"This way, my Lady."