Ten minutes later, two males dragged him into the room. If I had any suspicions about Amira not telling the truth, every doubt evaporated into thin air. I took in his unfocused eyes. He could not even keep himself up right. I clenched my teeth, noticing his pale skin, and dilated pupils. His shirt was unbuttoned, and the scent of alcohol filled the air around him.
“Men are weak,” Amira observed, not even waiting for the two male guards to be out of the room.
She scrutinized my face for some moments before turning to the exit, leaving me alone with Victor.
I could only stare at him, unable to make sense of any of it. Victor had never been a big drinker, but apparently, the temptation was too great. He had found some company, even among the sisters. All while I was risking my life. I stepped toward the bed, watching him. He reeked of essential oils. Sandalwood, maybe patchouli. I never paid any attention to what women used for perfume. His hair was disheveled, a blush spread over his cheeks.
“Victor?” I called.
Right then, the tears I had been holding back forever rolled down my cheeks.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
ALINA
Ispent half the night staring at the carved, wooden panels on the ceiling. The light of the moon slowly stretched from one wall to the other, filling the crevices with a cool, gentle glow. Tynan was not coming back. He just disappeared without sending me even a brief, personal note, leaving me alone in a castle surrounded by an enemy clan. There was no way to excuse his behavior, even if he had his reasons. Time slowed and then the clock on the fireplace struck three.
He would be awake by now. Why didn’t he come? I could not stop thinking about every little thing that could have gone wrong, and that I had no way of knowing if something did. Why can’t he tell me? Why did he choose to stay away?
I whimpered and turned my pillow.
When morning finally came, even before May came in to check on me, my decision was finally made.
“Milady, should I serve breakfast?”
“No need. Tell me, have you heard anything about my husband?” I secured the last buttons on my dress.
“His Majesty is still addressing the breach.”
“I see. What about Sage?”
“They are together, as far as I know.”
“Did my husband leave any messages?”
“I’m not sure. I will have to check.”
“No need.”
“What are your orders, milady?”
“Do you know where Lady Augusta is?”
“Milady?”
I approached the mirror and adjusted the long silver pin atop my head.
“Could you find out where she is?”
“Right away.” May left the room.
I stayed by the thick, wooden railings, overlooking the riding yard. Tall brick walls separated the sandy arena from the rest of the stables. The high ceilings with large glass panes allowed plenty of daylight onto the open area, where Lady Augusta was walking her dark chestnut stallion. This was something I neverwould have expected to see in Alsaard. Dragonborns did not need any means of transporting themselves, anywhere. Darragh had horses, but they only used them for farming.
“Milady?” May remained beside me, unsure and hesitating.
I switched my eyes to Augusta. She sent her horse into a gallop, her long, light hair billowed with the motion. She looked untamed, free. So different from the insufferable court lady I witnessed at dinner.
How old was she? She could not be much older than Rutherford.
