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I could practically see the steam coming out of Bennett’s ears as his jaw clenched, probably trying to stop himself from saying something he’d regret.
Pater continued on, grabbing a bottle of bourbon from the glass cabinet behind him and pouring himself a decent glass, “It also could have been my source. Perhaps they were wrong on the location of the meeting, or maybe there was no meeting at all. I had the two of you spring on a hunch of theirs quickly.”
Awkward silence clung to each of the walls, and I was practically suffocating in the cumbersomeness of it.
He took a swig from the glass. “What were you doing for the rest of the following day before you returned? You two got in pretty late last night.”
There it was. The question I was praying he wouldn’t ask but was expecting him to bring up. I couldn’t risk sneaking a look at Bennett—it would look suspicious now, as if the two of us were hiding something. . .which we were.
“Bennett wanted to show me around Vicinus before we returned, so we spent the morning touring the kingdom. Of course, we were also keeping our eyes and ears peeled for anything that brought suspicion to the Red Bones.”
Not seeming convinced, Pater asked, “You didn’t think it was wise to come back sooner? To update me on what had happened or come back in case there was Red Bones activity here in Veladis?”
Shit, I definitely said the wrong thing.
Bennett’s voice said in my head, Be confident and sure of your statement.
“I thought it was wise for him to show me around Vicinus so I could get a feel for the kingdom if I ever needed to come back without him. Plus, it allowed us time to possibly come across any Red Bones.” I finished my statement with an assured nod.
Pater turned his chair to face Bennett in the corner. “Anything you would like to add?”
“No, Rhiannon pretty much covered it,” he said with an irritated look on his face.
Anxiety rose in me at the thought of Bennett being upset with what I’d said to Pater. There was so much we still needed to discuss, and I had to forcefully keep my knee from bouncing at the anticipation of speaking with him.
Pater downed the rest of his bourbon and stood, straightening his jacket and gathering his things as he prepared for another meeting. “Well then, I guess that will wrap this discussion up. There hasn’t been much activity in the city, and I haven’t heard any word from my spies on a predicted attack or gathering. So as of now, you are dismissed. Keep working on your studies, and I look forward to seeing your costume at the ball.”
Relief rushed through the veins in my body, knowing that the meeting went as well as it could have. I rose from the settee and bowed at the waist before turning away and heading back out into the hallways.
I was hoping Bennett would follow.
He didn’t.
