Page 116 of Tides of Shadows

“You finally know what it’s like. I will see you at dinner.” I looked back over my shoulder, smiling.

Chapter

35

Ihad dressed myself for dinner. I had thought my mind would be in disarray, that I would not be able to meet his gaze. But all things seemed to fall into their rightful place.

As I sat at the table, I felt as though every eye rested upon me, as if they knew what we had done. It was likely only my imagination, but I could not rid myself of the thought. The last person I wished to meet eyes with was Minerva. I didn’t believe she would slip into my mind with others present, though I couldn’t be certain.

Aidenar was running late. When he entered the hall, Minerva raised her brow at once.

“Dinner is always served at the same time. Unless the young Lord Cavareth believes everyone should wait on him,” she said with cool disdain.

“Forgive me, Mina. I lost myself in the ledgers,” he answered, casting me a pointed look before taking his seat between us.

His hand brushed my thigh beneath the table. A shiver coursed through me. All memories returned at once. The warmth of his skin. His kisses. His words. Him inside me.

Aidenar seemed unfocused the entire evening. He spilled wine, and his cutlery slipped from his hands.

“Have mercy, child,” Minerva sighed. “So many hours spent on training in your youth, and you cannot hold a simple knife? Are you unwell?”

“Forgive me, Mina. My thoughts are elsewhere,” he replied, a faint smile touching his lips.

I knew well where his thoughts wandered. I myself could scarcely keep my eyes from drifting to the image of his bare body above mine.

Tristan watched us with clear curiosity. The dinner came to its end.

“We shall meet tomorrow, right after breakfast,” Minerva told me, and my stomach tightened with dread. I knew that what had happened between me and Aidenar would return. And I would have to hide that memory from her.

The next day I walked toward Minerva with legs heavy as lead. The last thing I wanted was Minerva witnessing my surrender to her grandson. It terrified me. As I walked through the corridors, I wondered whether jumping from a balcony would spare me the humiliation. The nearer I came to her chamber, the more I felt my heart rise into my throat. I tried to think of the sea. The storm. The waves. Anything that could shield me.

I entered without a word. Minerva sat at the table, calm as ever. I clenched my hands until they ached and focused all my strength on the memory of the island storms. The sound of the waves bursting my ears, the wind making it impossible to breathe, the waves flooding my body and lungs, the water preventing me from taking another breath.

I felt Minerva enter my thoughts.

I was drowning. My arms thrashed, yet the water dragged me deeper still. I caught only shards of air. Water forced itself into my mouth and lungs. I choked.

I opened my eyes at once. Minerva was kneeling on the floor, trembling, coughing, and spitting water. A great deal of water.

“Lady Cavareth!” I cried, rushing to her. “What is happening?”

“You wanted to drown me! That’s what’s happening!” She rasped, wiping her face with her sleeve.

“Forgive me! I did not mean to…”

“Oh, you meant it well enough,” she said, still gasping. “Though I admit, I didn’t expect such force. Brutal, yet effective. Clearly, learning is not going to waste.”

She sank back into her chair, still pale.

“I must rest. This is no age for messing with the elements. Call for the servants. I need some hot tea. We will meet in the afternoon. And please, be more subtle this time.”

I left the chamber stiffly. My defense had worked, though far too literally. But now I had to prepare for another session. And I’d hoped for a rest today.

I walked to the next training session with somewhat lighter steps, though I knew I still needed a plan. I decided I would allow her to sift through memories, but none tied to Aidenar. Otherwise, my thoughts would immediately drift in one direction. So I summoned the thoughts of his mother, Cassandra. Every moment she had mocked me and despised me.

Minerva greeted me with a raised brow.

“Very well. But this time, please, less drowning.”