Page 57 of A Lie so Pretty and Poisonous

We came to a halt in the courtyard, angheal eyes lifted to stare at the human and the shunned crossling atop a horse together. A mix of disgust and scandal swarmed in their stares. Whispers behind hands with sideways glances spread from noblewoman to noblewoman. I was sure we would be a topic of discussion for them among their dull ladies’ tea times. Let them talk. I was tired of their pettiness and their treatment of him. Someone who kept them safe with no appreciation or acknowledgment.

As Darragh and I walked side-by-side through the nobles milling about the courtyard, I whispered, “Time for plan B.” His head cocked to the side, and his brows creased. “Thank you for helping me after falling off my horse, Captain. That mare spooks so easily! I hope you can find her,” I blurted out, loud enough for the seraphs around us to hear.

His warm eyes searched mine. “Of course, my lady.”

Darragh’s voice lowered to a whisper, leaning in only enough not to draw attention to ourselves. “I’ll teach you some fighting skills tomorrow before dinner. The sparring ring will be empty.”

I inclined my head. I craved the empowerment that had been stripped from me systematically all my life. By my mother, by men, and by a society positioned to keep women weak and pliable.

My stomach flipped as I realized that a deadly seraph would be the one to help me take back my power. A notion that set me on edge. Not out of fear that he would hurt me, but out of fear that I liked being in his company too much. I could not hold the mask that I struggled to keep in place while around him. When those chestnut eyes stared into mine, I felt like I was being stripped down to my core and exposed for who I truly was. Something that terrified me.

My legs were heavy and sore as we climbed the three flights of stairs to my rooms. The emotional toll of the day hit hard and suddenly. The hallway felt impossibly long. Darragh matched my pace the entire time.

We stopped at the end of the hall, outside the door to my rooms. Cora’s giggles and Anya’s voice were muffled behind it.

I looked up at him through heavy eyelids. “I…” I shook my head. “Thank you isn’t a strong enough thing to say for what you did for me.”

“You’re welcome…Rory.” The corners of his mouth lifted. I hated how much I liked the sound of my name on his tongue. It was delicate and honest.

“Goodnight…” A smile crept out of me. “Captain.”

Darragh grinned while he turned and strode down the hall. His broad form was swallowed by the shadows of the hallway.

The emotional toll of the prior day provided an entire night of deep sleep. I wished I could say that I felt rested, but instead, I felt drained, my body and mind sluggish. Cora woke me at Anya’s arrival, and I pulled my heavy body from the comfort of my bed and lumbered out into the sitting area.

“Are you alright?” Anya asked.

“Yes. I am just so tired.”

“Mom, the captain is here to take me to my lessons!” Cora shouted as she bounced on her toes.

Cora held open the door, and Darragh stepped into our rooms. Anya gasped, and my cheeks flushed as he entered. I realized a moment too late that I was wearing nothing but a tunic that barely grazed mid-thigh and panties. The room was hot and uncomfortable last night, so I refused a long nightgown. Darragh spun away from me immediately, giving me time to rush to the bedroom to put on something to cover my legs.

“Cora!” I admonished as I bolted for the bedroom.

“Oops. Sorry, Mom!” she called after me as I slammed the bedroom door shut.

This. Kid.

“My lady, I apologize. I did not know you weren’t properly clothed.” Darragh’s voice frantically drifted through the door. I looked in the mirror as I yanked on trousers. My long waves frizzed, and dark circles had formed under my eyes. Oh, good goddess above! I quickly pulled my hair back in a braid and walked back out of the bedroom, fully clothed but looking like a disheveled mess.

Anya’s lips pulled inward, and her eyes crinkled in the corners. Darragh had his back fully toward me, looking at the golden flecks in the marble fireplace like they were the most interesting thing he had ever seen in his life. Cora gave me her biggest doe eyes and oscillated back and forth with her hands behind her back.

“I am decent now,” I said calmly.

Darragh turned back around and blew out a breath. A smattering of rosy pink painted across his cheeks. “Lady Aurora, I should not have presumed to walk into your rooms without permission. The fault lies with me, not Lady Cora.”

I held up my hands. “You can call me Rory in front of Anya. It’s alright. I am not angry.”

“Are you ready for your lessons, my lady?” Darragh walked to the door, addressing Cora.

“Yes!” She bounded toward Darragh in her peach-colored dress. “Bye, Mom! I love you!”

I smiled. “I love you, too, sweet girl. Have a wonderful day. Remember to mind your manners, and don’t let anyone hold you back!”

“Oh, before I go, Rory,” he slid his eyes to Anya briefly, “I have two correspondences for you this morning. I will be back after I take Cora to her lessons to help plan out the logistics of what you want to do today.”

Darragh placed two envelopes on the table before guiding Cora out the door and leaving Anya and me to stare at each other for a moment. Both of us burst into raucous laughter at the same time.