Page 130 of Blade of the Nightking

The kitten stared up at me with those bright green eyes as though it genuinely cared what I had to say.

“I miss him so much,” I whispered, and my voice cracked around the words. “I know he would’ve forgiven me. He never would’ve blamed me for what happened. But how am I supposed to forgive myself?”

The kitten blinked slowly.

“Everything I touch turns to ash,” I said bitterly, staring out across the tenebrous sea.

The kitten yawned extravagantly, showing off its sharp little teeth and rough pink tongue before promptly closing its eyes. Within moments, it was asleep.

Still, I kept stroking it. The warmth of its little body in my lap, the softness of its coat beneath my fingers, the steady, repetitive motion—all of it slowly quieted the chaos inside me.

I wished Levinica were better.

She would've laughed herself breathless when I told her about my lesson—how I'd bested Rìan. Me. A useless, illiterate drunk.

I smiled into the darkness. Two of those things were no longer true. As for the last... I was working on it.

Today had been a victory, no matter how hard he'd tried to turn it into a failure afterward with that damned bow. If only Levinica were here to hear about it.

I could picture the delighted little gasp she'd make when I told her I'd sent Rìan sprawling backward the first time. And the second. And the third. Once I'd understood the trick of it, I'd figured out the rest myself. Just like reading. She would’ve loved that.

The smile slipped from my face.

Levinica.

When would she come back? What if... one day she couldn't?

If only there was something I could do to help her. If only there was⁠—

My hand froze against the kitten's fur. Immediately, one emerald eye cracked open and it let out an annoyed little meow, demanding I continue petting it.

“Maybe…” I whispered.

The kitten lifted its head.

I shot to my feet, the kitten letting out a startled squeak as I scooped it up and tucked it securely beneath my cloak.

I stepped back into the apartment to find Nadja standing silently against the wall. I wasn't sure how long she'd been there.

“Take me to Levinica,” I said, breathless.

Her eyes widened.

“Please,” I pressed. “I need to see her. Right now.”

Immediately, she began shaking her head, launching into frantic gestures too fast for me to follow. Still, I understood enough.

Lady Levinica is not to be disturbed.

“It's important,” I insisted.

She shook her head again.

Frustration flared. Without another word, I strode across the apartment, threw open the doors, and stormed into the corridor beyond.

“Veylan!” I shouted, my voice echoing through the empty halls. “Veylan!”

“I am not to be summoned like some common servant.” The drawling voice behind me made me whirl.