“Don’t drink too fast,” she warned. “You’ll get sick.”
“Oh gods, I couldn’t care less. This tastes amazing,” I grumbled. But then a small gust of wind drifted past and yanked the canteen out of my hand. I met Eva’s gaze. Hers danced with amusement while I knew I looked like a rabid animal that had been given the gift of life for the first time in days.
“I don’t want to handle you ruining your clothing when you vomit all over yourself.”
“Don’t worry about me,” I said, lunging for the water as her power drew it away. “Just give it back.”
She kept it out of my reach; I saw a flicker of light in her eyes. One that came not from magic or pain or sadness, but from enjoyment. Just a single kernel, but one I would cherish for the rest of my brief life because it had been so long since I’d seen it. Then she laughed again, a sweeter sound this time. Something I would never forget.
But then, as quickly as it came, it died away, and she remembered where she was and who she was with. Eva quickly filled the canteen once more before returning it to me, dusting off her hands. “Here,” she blurted. “Hopefully that will last you for a bit.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
She cleared her throat and stood. “I think I will head to the kitchens. Perhaps I can have something sent to you for supper.”
“Please don’t. Renai will bring me something tomorrow during our session together.” I did not want pity, nor did I want to trouble her. It would only raise questions neither one of us had answers to.
“How are those going? I only just got back this morning, so tomorrow will be spent catching up on what I’ve missed over the past few days.”
I snorted. “They’re going about as well as you could expect. Nothing has happened. Every question she asks toes the line I cannot cross. It either ends with me choking on bile or remaining silent.”
“I see,” Eva whispered, looking down at the floor. “Well, I hope she can figure something out soon.” She dusted off her hands on the robe. “I will still have some food delivered shortly. Just because you are a prisoner does not mean you should be treated with disrespect and starvation. Helia is better than that.Iam better than that.” She did not need to add that uttering those words was painful for her. It was written across her face.
I bowed my head. “Thank you, Eva.”
But she had already disappeared into the darkness without so much as a goodbye.
Chapter11
Kalen
It was a shitty thing to do, sneaking out of Renai’s bed, but I couldn’t lie there any longer. Images fluttered past, thinking of what Lachlan’s men could do in this kingdom I loved. Its people were honest and kind, just as their rulers were, and I’d sworn my allegiance to Helia as soon as Matt had mated Eva. It was now my duty to protect these cobblestone streets, and ensure no harm came to anyone under my watch. Which was why I’d laid next to my friend until I knew she was in a deep sleep, slowly crawled out of the bed without waking her, and headed into the night on the hunt for those who didn’t belong here.
As I made it to the gates, the same guard I’d spoken to earlier was atop one of the small watch towers, his eyes scouring the city below. He was an older man, much older than I, if his appearance was any clue. Fine lines decorated his features, and his skin showed evidence of the battles he’d fought in over the centuries.
I climbed the steps, ensuring my footing was light, before I cleared my throat and alerted him of my presence. He didn’t shift my direction as he spoke. “They’ve been monitoring the gates all evening. Reappeared ‘bout thirty minutes after you left, but don’t worry… All the guards on duty have been told what’s goin’ on, and they’ll do everything they can to keep this palace secure.”
“That’s a relief then,” I said, stepping up beside him. The roof above kept our bodies shrouded in darkness and would mask our features from prying eyes. “How many?”
“Still just the three you said you saw,” he nodded once down at the street. “But I’ve noticed a fourth figure monitoring them just as we are. Can’t tell anything ‘bout them. They’re wearing a dark cloak that’s keeping them pretty well hidden.”
“How do you know they’re keeping an eye on them?” I asked, scouring the streets for any sign of this person. I found none.
Though it was the early hours of the morning, people still milled about below. Near the palace gates, a small altar had been set up in remembrance of Erina. Flowers, small personal effects, and even food had been laid out. I observed it, noticing a small shadow slipping through the crowd in its direction.
The guard grunted his acknowledgement of the cloaked individual. We both watched as they pulled out a small bouquet of black flowers and laid them at the altar before sinking to their knees. I could just barely make out the smallest movement of their lips as they bowed their head. Though I didn’t see what they were saying, their body mimicked someone praying to their gods or begging for forgiveness. As their head shifted, a lock of unruly, black hair fell out of their cloak. As their body moved when they tucked it back in, the clouds above us cleared. The moonlight shone down and my heart stopped at the face peeking out from under the hood. I recognized the soft upturned point of her nose, the full, pouty lips I’d kissed a thousand times before. Her eyes were different. The soft honey color seemed to intertwine with a deep black, creating a vortex capable of sucking someone in and trapping them. She was no longer the woman I’d loved.
Arabella.
Her gaze shifted up the tower. She locked onto me, and I could barely breathe as her lips parted in a small gasp. Her surprise was evident—I wasn’t supposed to be here, and she wasn’t supposed to be caught paying tribute to a woman she’d had a hand in killing.Why was she here? What purpose did this serve?
Arabella quickly rose from her position and turned away, fleeing into the crowded streets. I surged forward, my hands gripping the rough stone beneath me. The guard behind me called down to some men below, sending them out in the direction she fled, but not before she shot one more glance over her shoulder. Her brows furrowed, lips pulled into a tight line, but she was gone before I could question it further.
There was a loud popping noise near the gates, a firecracker let loose in the street. Everyone stopped and peered in that direction, watching the bright glow as it shot into the air. They murmured in awe, pressing closer as the guards attempted to break through the crowd.
She disappeared into the darkness of an alley before they could reach her.
“Godsdammit!” I said, slamming my hands down on the stone. The guard turned to me, opening his mouth to say something, but I’d already run to the stairs and began my descent. It was stupid,foolish, to rush into the crowd after her. It could have been a trick, but I didn’t think of that as I ran.
