Page 108 of Apprentice to the Villain

The sunset was spilling an array of pinks, oranges, and golds into an otherwise dreary room.

“Evie, dear? Are you in here?” Renna Fortis’s gentle voice filtered into the airy space of the infirmary, where only two sick beds were occupied: the first by Trystan and the second by Becky’s grandmother, Ramona. Both had been asleep the entire time she’d been up there.

Evie turned toward Renna, damp rag in hand. “I’m here, Lady Fortis.”

“Oh, I wish you’d call me Renna or even Ren. That’s what your mother calls me.”

It was strange to have a connection to her mother so close; so many questions floated up, threatening to boil over.

Renna grinned. “I know that face. Ask whatever you’d like.”

But her question was somber. “Do you think she’ll be okay?”

Renna’s grin slowly dropped, her eyes darting to Ramona’s sleeping face. “I think—” She sucked in a breath. “I think your mother is one of the strongest people I know. You’ll be the best sort of reminder and motivator for her to get better. The best parts of her live in you.” She squeezed Evie’s hand.

And the worst parts, too.

“I wish I saw more of myself in Rebecka,” Renna admitted, walking over to her mother and re-tucking in her blankets, thenlaying the back of her hand to her mother’s head. “She’s such a mystery to me. Always so quiet and reserved. I worry she’ll shut herself off from happiness because she’s so difficult.”

“Becky isn’t difficult,” Evie said, her cheeks heating at the unfairness of the statement, at how little Becky’s mother truly knew her daughter. “She’s stern, of course, but her job sort of demands that.”

Renna smiled placatingly. “Please do not think that I am trying to say anything negative. Rebecka is my daughter, and I love her more than life, more than breath. I am merely used to her ways of being, and not all of them are good for her.”

It didn’t matter then that Renna was her mother’s friend or that she was kind to her. Evie plopped the rag in the bowl and stood. “Forgive me, but you know an entirely different version of your daughter than I. Becky is fair-minded and shows kindness in ways so subtle you almost don’t even know it’s happening. She doesn’t need the credit for it. She’s not showy or boastful even when she should be. She makes the office safe. Do you know how rare that is? I’veneverhad that. You think I’m the best of my mother? Well, Becky is the best of The Villain’s office. Without her rules, that place would be in shambles, and while I appreciate your kindness and hospitality, I wish you would extend all of it to your daughter instead.”

Evie exhaled and sat back down. The boss’s hand moved slightly toward her own. Even unconscious, he could read her distress.

Renna looked mortified. “I, um—” Evie felt a small twinge of guilt. “Would you excuse me? There’s a plate of food for you just there, and one for The Villain when he awakens.” Renna was gone before she could blink a second time.

“As far as speeches go, I can’t bring myself to regret that one,” Evie said, dabbing more cold water against Trystan’s burning forehead. She hoped her mother’s friend would listen.

“Why did you lie?”

“Argh!” Evie dropped the cloth right onto the boss’s face with a hardplop. “Oh, sorry, sir.” She giggled nervously before swiping it off. He hadn’t awoken. “Deadlands, Becky, the bats in the office don’t lurk the way you do.”

“Stop changing the subject, you ninny. I was in the hallway and overheard what you said.”

Evie waved an accusatory finger. “You were eavesdropping.”

Becky folded her arms with a dubious lift to her lips. “Your voice carries. I would’ve heard you if I was standing clear across the estate.”

Fair point.She shrugged.“Regardless, I didn’t lie. I meant every word.”

Becky looked vulnerable behind her lenses, her hair looser than usual, like being around her family unraveled her normal staid composure. “Y-You think my rules are important?”

Evie smiled softly, folding her hands in her lap. “Becky, without you, I likely would have died twelve times over by now.” She chewed on her lip. “I think I’ve gone most of my life without any sort of structure, and when you presented it so steadfastly, my first instinct was to hate it. But that isn’t fair, especially when it’s come to make me feel so secure and safe. Most of my life, I’ve been attempting in haphazard ways to fashion myself into a safe person for others, but I hardly realized when someone else was trying to be that for me.”

Becky looked deeply uncomfortable. “Well…I love structure.” She winced. “But I understand why it would be a difficult adjustment for someone who is not used to it. I’m…also…sorry.”

Evie laughed so hard she felt like she might cry.

When Becky saw the tears, she held up a frantic hand. “I beg you not to weep!” She pulled up another stool and sat beside Evie, rolling her eyes. “Even when I try to pay you a compliment, you are difficult.” Evie mimed zipping her lips shut. Becky rolledher eyes again, but Evie could tell it was in good humor. “I mean to say that when you first began working in the office, you were unprofessional, disorganized, and chaotic—”

Evie interrupted. “I’m still those things.”

“Can I finish?” she said pointedly, and Evie shut her mouth. “But I realize now how much those things are needed, how balance is needed. There was truly no one better for your job.”

Evie winced, feeling past regrets boil to the surface. “Becky, it should’ve been you. We both know you’re far more qualified than I am.”