Darcy walked idly through the courtyard, turning up the collar of his coat to keep the wind away. They had hardly finished luncheon even an hour before, but the sun was already setting over the ocean out past the fjord and the evening breeze was blowing in cold and wet. The gardeners at the castle were in a rush to use the last of the light to prepare for the anticipated first frost.
He noticed a sparkle of reflected light coming from the castle. The queen was walking his way.
"You're not cold?" Darcy asked.
"The cold doesn't bother me."