We descended several sets of stairs and went through the gallery and then another one. From one of the windows, I saw Lady Augusta walking in the garden, two guards followed close behindher. She wore a modest sky blue dress with a tight corset. Her hair was half up, carefully placed blond coils framed her face. She looked so different compared to the way she was in the stables.
Was she the one responsible for the poisoning? There was no way of knowing for sure. I walked further, and soon I could no longer see the light blue dress.
When we went down to the level below ground, I saw several familiar faces of the black clan. I knew that I was in the right place.
“Where is my husband?” I asked one of the men with a bushy, tangled beard.
“Milady.” He lowered his head and then pointed toward the poorly lit corridor.
I walked past the group of warriors and spotted Denis, who also bowed.
Finally, I made it to the door. I could feel multiple sets of eyes following every move I made. I lifted my hand and knocked.
“Yes?” Tynan’s voice clearly sounded from another side of the door.
“Stay here.” I told May and wrapped my fingers around the door handle.
It was dark inside. Across the room, there was a table and a lone candle that produced some light, assisting a narrow window situated almost to the ceiling. By the table stood Tynan, he had a book cupped in one hand and the other held a page by the corner. His hair appeared almost black in the faint light. His eyesfollowed the text on the page. Then he lifted his head and stilled. The released page flicked down.
I took another step closer, watching him.
His eyes widened. “Alina?”
I remained silent, moving closer. Another moment and, as if he just awakened from a stupor, Tynan stepped back.
“It’s not safe . . .”
I paid no attention to his words, approaching him. Slowly, his features came to me in more detail. He looked almost artificially, ashy pale. Just like Sage, similar circles decorated his neck and crept onto one of his cheeks.
“What happened?” I extended my hand, but he did not let me touch him.
Even understanding his intentions and the reasons behind it, I still felt the sting right in the center of my heart. Finally, I could admit to myself how painful it was to be pushed away.
“Poison.”
I lowered my gaze, noticing the strip of bare skin on his chest where his flying suit was unbuttoned.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked.
“I didn’t want you to worry.”
“You didn’t want me to worry and let me think that you were with someone else instead?”
For a moment, a puzzled expression appeared in his eyes, then his eyebrows furrowed.
“Did you think?—”
“It doesn’t matter now.” I fished out a miniature glass bottle from one of my pockets and offered it to him.
“What is it?”
“Sage must have forgotten that he gave me some sacred water.”
“I’d rather you keep it. I want you to have some.”
“Take it. I’m sure you can fly me to the temples just like you have before.”
But Tynan did not move. I took off the tightly pressed, wooden cap and moved closer. My chest pressed against his, and I could feel his deep exhale. Tynan watched me with his umber eyes half closed. In the faint light of the candle the specks in his irises reminded me of wild honey. I placed the bottle to his lips and forced him to drink.
