Page 50 of The Reaping Rose

“Keep looking,” I demand, losing my patience. “I’m not telling my mate she cursed them all to Sarrow by bringing them here. Find another option.”

Rior nods, all amusement lost as he turns and walks away.

I promised Elorie no more secrets. No more lies. So Rior needs to get me better answers, or the truth will mean breaking her heart.

Chapter 17

Elorie

Three days in Quietus have yet to clear my mind of the prison. Even when I’m awake, the webs of darkness and doubt linger. When I sleep, I slip back into that obsidian hellscape. Only, there is no leaving. I’m falling deeper and deeper.

In breaks between nightmares, I dream of Alyssium. It’s as if I can still feel it even though I’m no longer there. My mother’s hum hangs on the breeze just as it did on the windswept shore.

Wilder pulls me close when I thrash awake, and while there’s this painful distance between us, in those moments, in the darkness, I let him hold me. I close my eyes and let the warmth of his chest at my back be what rocks me back to sleep.

Usually then my mind stays sound until I wake.

For three days, I’ve slept more than not. When Wilder joins me in bed, it’s for brief moments that he’s no longer able to fight his own exhaustion. This morning, he kissed my forehead before leaving the room, and I still feel the press of his lips on my skin.

My body aches with the push and pull. I want to trust him. I want to go back to that moment before the Rite when he held me in his arms, and we consumed each other with our entire being. The bind between us begs me to let him in, but the breach of trust holds me back.

What if he hurts me again?

Pulling on my leathers, I finally leave our room late morning, determined to find Greer and train today. I woke with a clear mind for the first time since arriving in Vaelier, and I plan to put it to good use.

While I assumed my exhaustion was from the prison, Wilder reminded me that my magic is being replenished. Callum, Greer, and I were on Alyssium for months without it. To the point where we were all at risk of suffering the Beating.

Thankfully, we escaped when we did. Magic swims in my veins again. Crisp power sparks at the edges of my fingertips. Smells are more potent, sounds precise. My heart is awake and alert. I didn’t know how much I missed my magic until it returned.

Hummingbirds thrum outside the window, drawing my attention. They flutter in circles, moving so fast I can barely track them. They dance between the branches, darting away just as Aurora turns the corner.

Her dark-copper hair is swept back, as it is every time I see her. The strands are more brown than red. Today’s dress is made almost entirely of feathers, gliding along the floor with every step. The heart-shaped dip of silk at her clavicle accentuates her curves.

“I thought you were someone else.” Her lips purse; her sage-green eyes sweep the hallway behind me.

“You’re looking for Wilder?”

She nods.

“He left as the sun was breaking. I think he was meeting up with Rior.”

“But you don’t know?” Judgment narrows her eyes.

My shoulders press back, and I refuse to answer her question. To let her sow doubt between me and my mate. “Can I help you with something?”

“No.” Her answer is clipped.

Aurora’s chin remains high. Her back straight and hands perfectly folded in front of her. With a crown, she’d be the picture of a queen. Given it’s my mate’s kingdom, that does nothing to put me at ease.

Her green eyes slide down. “Wilder said you’ll be attending the dinner tonight.”

“So long as everyone eats,” I joke, but Aurora’s eyebrows pinch in confusion. “At the Ley Court, they didn’t eat, no matter how much food was set in front of them… never mind.”

She hums, not seeming to care. “I recommend an outfit more fitting for the event. If you’re going to be at his side, try not to embarrass him.”

At that, she turns and walks away with nearly silent footsteps. A war of emotions brews in my chest. I respect that she cares about Wilder and hate it all the same. I respect the role she plays in this court but wish it hadn’t been necessary in the first place.

My irritation only stews further as I make my way through the stone palace, and eyes follow my every movement. Whispers hum behind magical shields so I can’t overhear their conversations.