Page 309 of Sorrow & Strangers

“Keep talking,” I say, nipping at his earlobe.

“The way you looked at me when you saw me. Savage ferocity, ready to fight but willing to let me help,” he says, and I moan, but then a deep, gnawing fatigue falls over me, and I slump down on him before everything turns black.

Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Nine

Summer

Ilurch awake, blinking down at the stranger who looks up at me expectantly. I frown at my clothes, noticing that I’m now wearing soft white pajamas, and I am no longer covered in the grime of battle. The stranger taps a rune on my wrist. It’s one used to cleanse, and warmth swells in my chest. He cared for me.

When I see the light creeping into the room, I curse and grab my phone from the bedside table. I press the button to call Alice, and she answers on the third ring.

“Hey.”

“Hi. I’m sorry I didn’t call earlier. I passed out. How are things?”

Alice snorts. “I also passed out and didn’t call you, so we both get a pass on this one.”

I exhale, my shoulders slumping, and the stranger idly strokes my thigh. “Are you okay?”

“I’m okay,” Alice says, and from her voice I can tell it’s the truth. “You were doing things here? In my name?”

“What?” I ask, pressing a kiss to the stranger’s chin before slipping off him and standing up.

“Countryside nobles arrived late last night, coming to pay their thanks and pledge fealty. They said someone helped them, and a seer saw a fae helping me gain favor. It seems they have always been skeptical of the lies, given they started when I was a baby with squishy fangs. They say they knew my mother,” she says, her voice quavering. Alice has never mentioned her mother to me. Obviously, I always knew she had one, but I never knew what happened to her. If she’d wanted to tell me, she would. “You helped with crops? Providing runes to help increase their bounty? You sent the supplies they needed to rebuild their homes?”

“I didn’t know if you’d ever want to take your realm back, but I wanted you to have the option,” I say, pacing a little.

Alice makes a small, choked sound. “You’re making me into an emotional little bitch, and it’s very rude of you.”

My lips twitch.

“How did you know they were sympathetic to the cause?” she asks.

“I didn’t. I didn’t know any of that, but the stranger knew of a village to the south of Drãculea that has been mostly ousted, though no one knows why.”

“Thank you, and tell him I said thank you for everything,” she says, the emotion clear in her voice. “How’s Mira?”

“Alive,” I say. “Not sure how she’ll be once she’s conscious and Rafe tells her about the deal, though.”

“And you?” Alice asks. “The stranger?”

I glance at him, and he smiles at me. He’s still lounging in my bed watching me, and while I said no to sleepovers, I fell asleep sprawled on top of him, and I’m happy he’s here.

“He’s okay. Currently in my bed.”

“A sleepover? Summer Tuatha De Daanan!” Alice gasps.

I roll my eyes. “It was accidental.” The stranger chuckles, and I throw him a look.

“She passed out on top of me,” the stranger says.

Alice snorts, having heard him. “The truth comes out.” She sighs. “Anyway, the countryside nobles are going to be good for helping me outside the capital, and I’ll most likely pick a few of them I like the most to form the ruling council for me while I’m at school.”

“Have you spoken to Headmaster Emrys?” I ask.

“Yeah, this morning.”

“Okay, that’s good. I miss you already, so come back soon, okay?”