Page 140 of The Reaping Rose

I’m about to agree with her when something sparks, drawing my attention. I glance at the doorway just as Atlas and Greer step through. Blood stains their torn clothes as they saunter into the room.

“You actually lived.” Rior chuckles.

“Was there any doubt?” Atlas grins.

I walk to meet them. “You’ve looked better, my friend.”

“Don’t lie to yourself.” He grins. “I always look good.”

Greer rolls her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. I hoped this trip would help them work through their tension, but with how they stand a distance apart, seeming as irritated with each other as ever, clearly that wasn’t the case. At least they didn’t kill each other.

“Celeste.” Atlas grins as she walks up beside me. “And here I thought our trip was eventful.”

His eyes bounce between Celeste and Rior, who are now refusing to look at each other.

“Please tell me it was at least fruitful,” I say.

“We found him. Sort of,” Greer answers, and the grin slips from Atlas’s cheeks. “We at least know how we might be able to find him.”

“Depending on how everyone else’s journey went,” Atlas says, glancing at Greer, who won’t meet his gaze.

Greer glances around the room. “Where is Elorie?”

“Not back yet.”

Both of them tense, and I’m forced to face the truth I’ve been avoiding while I kept busy in their absence. We expected Elorie to return with Callum and Perame before Atlas and Greer were done. They went to fetch an object, which should have been a simple task. The fact that they aren’t back yet means something didn’t go as planned.

The color leaves Atlas’s face, and I assume he’s worried what that means for his sister. Greer glances at him briefly, sympathy flickering as if she realizes that as well.

“All we can do is be ready when they do return,” I say, refusing to let my confidence fail me now. “Go get cleaned up, and then we need to go over everything that happened.”

Atlas nods, swallowing hard. When he and Greer leave, they split in opposite directions, refusing to offer the other so much as a glance.

“I see your court is busy.” Celeste hitches an eyebrow, looking up at me.

“As I said, I just need you to hold the line for now. I’m working on a solution.”

Her nod is tight, and she doesn’t ask me to elaborate. Celeste is the picture of a leader with or without her mate.

“I should get back,” she says, relaxing her arms at her sides.

Rior surprises me by stepping forward. “I’ll see you out.”

It takes her a moment to move. Her teeth grit as she stares up at him. It isn’t until he finally waves for her to walk first that she accepts his offer.

Everywhere I turn, tensions are thick. Here in my court and beyond.

I move to the window to watch the birds sitting on the branch outside. The breeze rustles their feathers, and I lower the magical shell to let it brush over me. I let it wash my reservations aside as I push my shoulders back.

It’s time.

I know it’s time.

I’ve delayed; I’ve distracted myself.

Atlas and Greer’s return is the final thing forcing me to look in the mirror and face what I’ve been avoiding. When Elorie returns, we’ll see this to an end. I need to finish what I started when I placed that crown on my head in the Ley Court before the Rite.

I close my eyes, thinking of my mother.