My boots clicked on the stone floor as I passed empty room after empty room.
Where is he?
The longer I couldn’t find Alois, the angrier I grew.
Was he hiding from me? Make this announcement that you knew I’d disagree with and then hide from me?
I threw open doors to studies and parlors, not caring about how the doors banged off of the walls or the noise I was making as I searched.
Finally, I reached the end of the main living space and found Alois sitting in a wingback chair, staring out of the massive iron-laced windows at the grounds that comprised the backyard.
“Do you think she’ll be disappointed with the lack of green space, Rohak?” Alois mused from his chair, not turning to face me. He sipped slowly from what I assumed was a tumbler of whiskey, his nightly drink of choice.
“Why didn’t you tell me,” I gritted through my teeth. It was less a question and more a demand. I was the only one who was able to call Alois on his shit, but I was probably toeing the line tonight.
“Because of this reaction,” he said, gesturing his tumbler back toward me, still gazing out the windows. “If you’re going to be barking mad either way, then I might as well do what I want and suffer through your anger after I’ve already made the necessary arrangements.”
I blew out a breath before taking another and holding it, trying to calm myself.
That was the problem with my focus of magic, I was always quick to anger, quick to wreck and ruin. Even now, my magic was calling for me to use it, todestroywhat made me angry. I closed my eyes and heard the scrape of a chair as Alois turned to face me.
“It’s getting harder to fight, isn’t it?” he said quietly.
“No. I’m fine.”
He laughed, humorlessly. “You’re not fine, Rohak. You haven’t been fine since you Awakened. You’ve just learned to hide it better.” He sipped his whiskey again as I continued to take calming breaths and fingered the crystals in my pocket. Alois noticed the motion, of course. The bastard noticed everything. “Those crystals will only hold you for so long, my friend. You need to take a Vessel.”
I felt my anger rise again. “And you know why I won’t,” I spat.
He sighed and I opened my eyes to see him staring at me, relaxing back in his chair. “I do know why, but I also know that if you don’t, you won’t be here much longer, in more ways than one. I need you, Rohak. I need you whole. And if you can’t, or won’t, take a Vessel, I have to take measures to ensure that my rule is safe, secure.”
“Like telling Lex d’Talionis information that should be brought to me, first?”Oops,sorry Lex. “I’m still your second, not him. I’m still here.”
“Yes, but I don’t know for how much longer, Rohak. You’ve lasted longer than any recorded case in history, but how much longer will Fate be on our side? I need to make sure my assets are protected, even if that means sometimes bringing someone else into our circle.” All the breath left my lungs, my anger dissipating with it.
“You would . . . replace me?”
“If it came to it, yes. I don’twantto, Rohak, but I also need to be smart. I’m the ruler of Vespera and the Northern Alliance, first, and your friend second. That’s how it’s always been, and how it always needs to be.” His tone was gentle, even if his words cut sharply. “Please just think about theVessel, Rohak. I won’t push you on it again. Not until it’s the end. I won’t lose you, Rohak.”
I dropped my gaze and absently picked at a callus on my hand. “I will think about it,” I admitted softly.
“Thank you, old friend. That is all I ask, for now.”
I nodded once and Alois gestured to the chair across from him. “Sit, have a drink. I assume this is going to be a long conversation that I will need to be slightly intoxicated for.”
I smiled tightly, our previous conversation still not settling, before grabbing the proffered whiskey and downing it in one gulp. It burned but in a delicious way.
“Oh, so it’s that kind of night, huh?” Alois laughed and downed his own glass. “Fine! Let’s get into it, Rohak.” Alois set his glass aside and rested his hands loosely on his knees while I slowly turned my own glass in my hands, focusing on the way the light created rainbows in the depths of the glass.
“So. Ellowyn is staying here?” I questioned, softly, the fight slowly bleeding out of me.
“Yes, Rohak. She’s staying here,” Alois answered just as softly.
I thumbed my glass again before setting it next to Alois’ on the table between us. I assumed a relaxed position that mirrored my friend, even if I didn’tfeelfully relaxed.
“Where?”
“In the guest wing on the second floor.” I figured as much, but was glad for Alois to confirm it. “I will give her strict instructions that she is not to enter the third floor unless she is invited, and she is not to be in your wing on the third floor for any reason.”
