“He still hates you.”
“Really?”
“I don’t know what you did. But if your name ismentioned, he always stops the conversation and curses.” Hanoch grabbed Toby’s hand when the boy picked up the steel blade of a letter opener.
“So, nothing has changed.” I approached the front door.
“Ty?”
I turned, meeting his gaze.
“Glad you’re back.”
I nodded, looking away, before leaving the room.
I had to get outside, the walls were suffocating me. I would prefer to be surrounded by crawlers somewhere in the wastelands than stay in the castle. I ran down the sets of stairs, avoiding talking to anyone else.
Hanoch was the new clan leader and the head of a large family. I still could not believe that was even possible. I used to dream about all those things a long time ago. I wanted to have a family, to be a husband and a father, to be the next clan leader. I wanted to prove to everyone, myself included, that I was worthy. I knew better now. Gabrielle was my first major life lesson, a hint of what was to come. My destiny was different, and there was no point in thinking about the past or comparing my own life to his.
I stood for a moment, forcing myself back to reality. My eyes shifted to the horizon. I knew the place where Sagebuilt his hut. Without delaying any longer, I turned toward the valley.
I walked down the hill and then crossed the city from the west. I soon lost my patience and shapeshifted to my dragon form. I knew that flying in the city was disruptive and not welcomed, at least that was what I remembered, but I was out of the city so I flew to Sage’s vale.
It took me only a couple of minutes to find the right place. The shabby wooden structure looked like it was leaning to one side. At a distance, it looked like an abandoned shed, but I knew the old man was still there. Then I finally descended and changed back to my human form.
The ground surrounding the house was all mud and dirt. A stack of logs lay rotting off to one side, and an assortment of discarded wooden furniture was scattered all over the front yard. It seemed he was cutting wood for his fireplace. I scowled. Wood was really valuable and people used coal to get a fire going, but Sage did not seem to care.
Stepping carefully through the mud, I stopped by the entrance. The door was ajar so I peeked inside. I knocked on the door, and looked around. The fireplace was not in use and I saw no evidence that the old man was around. Not a sound, no one was home. I pushed the door open wider. The old man’s place was almost devoid of personal belongings. I quickly spotted a low wood table, and noticed the exposed beams on the walls with cracks in the corners. The bed looked like an animal's nest and multiple glass bottles were piled on the floor.
“Sage?” I called, but received no answer.
I waited for some time, before losing my patience. At last, I changed back and soared upward.
The sky displayed all shades of gray when the tiny sprinkles of rain hit my face. I realized that the further I was from the castle the better I felt. I glanced at the massive structure in the distance, losing myself to my memories.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
ALINA
Ispent hours lying in bed and doing nothing. Some days were so uneventful that only the stern face of Grace or her young servant who brought us food brightened my day. For long stretches of time I walked outside, or stared out the window, oblivious to everything around me. Right when I stopped counting the days, my heart slowed a little. My anxiety and fear subsided and the calm stillness of the misty air soothed my soul.
I rarely saw Tynan, only during our meals or sometimes I would meet him when I walked. He never tried to spend any time with me anymore. His behavior changed so much that it felt like all the things that happened between us were not more than a beautiful distant dream.
I sighed and poured myself some mint tea. The soft milky white swirls curled up above my steaming hot, ceramic cup and the sweet scent of fresh herbs pacified my nerves.
“Another day like this and I’m going to do something crazy.” Frid paced the room.
“You should really try on some outfits,” I said, not trying to convince her any longer.
“No way. I’m not that weak.”
“Tomorrow is the winter solstice celebration, and don’t forget about Dreich.” Victor stretched his legs out on the couch.
He spent almost all of his time in the house, driving Frid crazy with his observations and snide remarks.
“Are you going?” Frid looked like she was ready to strangle him for bringing it up.
“Not sure yet.” Victor picked up an album with drawings.
