“Of course you wouldn’t.” Calem rolled his eyes, but a warm, almost relieved smile touched his lips. No doubt Kost’s response was exactly what he wanted to hear. Proof that the brother we all knew and loved hadn’t changed.
“We’ll figure it out. In the meantime, I think we could use a good night’s rest,” I said.
“And some food,” Oz added, giving Kost’s shoulder one last squeeze before stepping away.
Calem wrinkled his nose. “And a bath. My stench has stench.”
Kost stood and brushed his hands along his vest. “I took the liberty of bringing you spare clothes, which, it seems, was the right thing to do. Your things are in your rooms. Save the formal attire for tomorrow evening’s celebration.”
“Yessir,” Calem said, rocketing to his feet. “Now, about these rooms…”
“I’ll show you to them. Reconvene downstairs for a meal in half an hour?” Kost asked.
Looking over my shoulder, I found Leena’s sleeping form and gave her ankle a gentle nudge. She didn’t move. “I’ll bring some food back for her. I don’t think she’ll be waking up any time soon.”
Kost nodded and moved toward the door, Ozias and Calem on his heels. “See you shortly.”
As soon as they left, I kicked off my boots and climbed into bed next to Leena. I pressed the back of my hand against her forehead, thankful to find that her temperature had dropped back to normal. The steady rise and fall of her chest chased away the last of my concern, and I scooched closer, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear. She barely stirred, shifting slightly toward the middle of the bed and curling in tighter on herself. I could’ve forgone dinner altogether and simply lain by her side, but we had plans to formulate. And now that I knew Leena was safe, I wanted to spend some dedicated time with Kost. We all needed to be in the right mindset going into this war, and I wanted to ensure that he was truly okay.
Twenty
Leena
By the time I awoke, late-morning sun was slanting through the ivory curtains drawn loosely over the window. While the fire in the hearth was dead, there was a stuffy warmth in the air that suggested it’d only recently gone out. I peeled back the blankets and wrinkled my nose, mad that I’d fallen asleep before bathing and sullied the sheets with a layer of salt and grime. Stifling a yawn, I surveyed the quiet room. The thick rug stretching across the wooden floorboards muffled the tavern sounds just beyond the heavy door. A scrap of neatly folded parchment waited for me on the nightstand, and I quickly scanned Noc’s looping, familiar handwriting.
Downstairs in the tavern. Join us when you’re ready. There are spare clothes in the armoire and fresh linens in the bathroom.
Love,
Noc
I set the sheet down and immediately spied the ornate oak door leading to what I assumed was our attached bathroom. A dull pain throbbed through my skull, and I rolled my neck from side to side to try to loosen the knotted muscles. Limbs full of lead, I stood up on my toes and stretched before I made my way to the bathroom and filled the gilded claw-foot tub with steaming water. As water poured from the faucet, I closed my eyes and focused on the connection I had to my Revmandra. The beast realm door creaked open a fraction in my mind, and I found Magnus fast asleep beneath one of the realm’s many oceans. I smiled at the steady flux of energy that pulsed down our bond and then opened my eyes, eager to chase away the last of my lingering pains.
There was no denying the ache in my body, but it wasn’t as deep as I’d expected. I’d overclocked myself a few times during my journeys with Noc, but I’d never kept a beast outside the realm for as long as I had with Magnus. I’d chalked it up to adrenaline and drive, knowing that we’d likely die if I couldn’t safely get us to Rhyne’s shores. Magnus’s own expansive well of magic had made it easier to keep him in our world. And yet… This pain hardly compared to the time I’d taken Noc to the beast realm, or even my run-in with Felicks before I’d tamed him for Kost.
Sinking into the tub, I frowned as the soothing water lapped against my shoulders. Why? I recounted the last few tamings I’d performed, starting with how easily Tok had joined my side back at Oslo’s Ruins. Even Reine, my legendary feline and apex hunter. They’d both chosen me, and while I’d followed the necessary prerequisites for charming Magnus, I’d expected it to be harder. Especially knowing a Revmandra had supposedly killed my parents. Dragging my fingertips across the surface of the water, I stared at the ripples as I tried to piece together the ease of the tamings and the lack of pain in my bones. My hand moved to my chest, and I paused over the freshly inked griffin.
“Celeste sends her blessing.”The memory of Yuna’s words rattled through my mind. Had she been helping me all along? Warmth purled outward from my touch, separate from the heat of the bath. The gods rarely interfered with our lives, but perhaps once Yazmin had started down this path, she’d forced Celeste’s hand. For the sake of our people, our beasts, our world. If Celeste were on my side, and the gods on Noc’s, then maybe we had a chance to stop Yazmin.
After dressing quickly in a simple getup of breeches, boots, and a long-sleeved blouse, I made my way downstairs to the first-floor tavern. For the most part, it was empty, with only a single bartender floating between patrons. Dimly lit chandeliers hung low over circular tables surrounded by ornate high-back chairs. Noc, Oz, Calem, and Kost sat near a window in the front, their heads bent low in quiet conversation. I crossed the room and slipped into the empty chair between Noc and Calem.
Noc straightened his back and offered me a warm smile. “How are you feeling?”
“Surprisingly okay. Hungry, though.” I eyed the near-empty plates before them. Oz scooted a platter with two hefty potato wedges slathered in cream and chives my direction. I snatched one and finished it in a matter of seconds, fingers already reaching for the remaining morsel.
Kost signaled the bartender with a pointed nod. “We’ll get you a proper meal. We’re not in a rush.”
Something loosened in my chest. Seeing Kost again, having him sit across from me with a look of concern and quiet protectiveness for his family, for me, felt right. I could still detect the ghost of pain in his eyes, a line of worry that seemed permanently etched between his brows. But he was coping. He was here. And I knew we couldn’t do this without him.
“Thanks, Kost.”
He glanced my way and allowed for a tired smile, just as the bartender approached our table. I gave the menu a quick once-over and ordered while Noc poured me a glass of water from the pitcher on the table. As soon as the bartender left, Kost cleared his throat.
“We’ll be approaching the queen tonight.”
“Really? Already?” My brows shot upward, and I glanced around the table. Oz only shrugged and Calem toyed with the tumbler between his fingers, eyeing the amber liquid sloshing up the walls. “Did I miss something?”
“No, took us by surprise, too,” Noc said. “But the timing is right. Queen Elianna’s daughter announced her recent engagement this morning. Here, it’s tradition to celebrate with a reception line for gifts and a night of festivities.”
