“I’m, ah, looking for Rhordyn. I thought Sophia might know where to find him.”
“Oh ...” He expels a deep breath and rolls onto his heels, face softening. “That’s all?”
“What else would it be?”
“Good. The High Master is busy.” He turns and starts to walk away at a brisk pace, but I lumber forward and snatch his wrist.
“Busywhere,exactly? I lack the patience to spend the next two days searching every corner of this castle.” His gaze shoots down to my white-knuckled grip, and I loosen my hold. “Sorry.”
He clears his throat, glancing at another guard stationed by the doors. Hard to be certain, but I swear they share an exasperated look.
“What do you think I’m going to do, wound the man?”
“Nosey in on our High Master’s business.”
... Justified.
Most of the guards don’t trust me, though I can hardly blame them. I’ve caught the majority in compromising positions over the years. Apparently I don’t walk loud enough—probably why I keep catching Jonas with his tongue down Marcus’ throat, despite the fact that he’s courting Sophia.
“Spill, Jonas.”
He crosses his arms. “No.”
I mirror his stance, narrow my eyes, and wait ... foot tapping the floor.
Silence.
When impatience gets the better of me, I lean in and whisper, “How’s Marcus?”
His eyes widen, the moment stretching long enough that I shift back and find a comfortable spot against the wall.
I’d never snitch, buthedoesn’t know that. And it wouldn’t surprise me to catch him pissing on my rose bushes after this little powwow.
He mutters something indiscernible and sighs. “Rhordyn’s in his office on the third floor.”
Should’ve considered that.
“Thank yo—”
“Having aprivatemeeting.” He emphasizes ‘private’ as if he’s about to crack open a dictionary and point out the meaning right here and now. “He and the High Mistress of Rouste said they’re not to be disturbed underanycircumstances.”
My spine stiffens, heart feeling like it just got tangled in a thorny vine.
Private meeting ... with Zali ... in his office ...
The bitter taste is hard to swallow. So is the vision that just got plunged into my brain like a stake.
Herspread out across his desk like that woman from the book—back arched; bare breasts being groped by masculine hands; Rhordyn bent over her like a silver-scrawled shadow, face between her thighs, rumbling ...
Feasting ...
Fuck.
“Right,” I answer, trying my hardest to maintain a casual demeanor when all I want to do is vomit. “Guess I’ll just ... frolic back to my tower, then.”
He rolls his eyes and strides off down the hall, as if he’s addled by the mere sight of me.
Heart in my throat, I make my way to the third floor, straight to the grand hallway that leads to Rhordyn’s office.
