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Shit.
Some of those books are quite valuable. I hope I didn’t damage the binding.
"Sorry!" The collision is definitely my fault. I've been on edge since I woke up—actually, since we finished that experiment—and my restless energy didn’t allow for caution.
I look up to see the tallest woman I've ever laid eyes on. Eerily thin, with gorgeous, wide green eyes and silky brown hair, she belongs on the cover of a magazine. Adelaid Gyrth would look like a pixie next to this statuesque beauty.
I expect her to be as rude and obnoxious as everyone else I've dealt with in this place, but she smiles at me and bends to help me pick the dusty volumes. "No worries." Piling the last book on top of the one I just stacked, she tilts her chin to my books. "You're okay with all those?"
"Hm?" I’m too unfocused to immediately understand, then her words replay in my mind. "Oh, I'm fine. I just need to bring them back to the library, and I hate making too many trips," I ramble nervously. "I'm sorry I didn't see you. You're sure you're not hurt?"
"Not even a little. Do you need help?" she offers openly, stunning me.
There are some good people here after all. Maybe she's a common like me, though I doubt it. She holds herself like a queen. I can't quite pinpoint how or why, but I’d swear I’m in the presence of someone important, consequential.
I decide I don't need to find out. No matter my first impression of her, I’ve had more than my fair share of brushes with nobility for a while. "I'm good, thanks."
I race to the library and pick up the books I need for my next three. To my horror, find it as crowded as my bedroom was, with brazen strangers happy to ply me with ridiculous and highly personal questions.
I bolt, and consider returning to my dorm. As it is likely I'll find it equally under siege, I drag the books all the way back to Zale's, grumbling about missing my baby blue speeder all the way.
I've only just left the campus when a tall coldblood dressed in black catches up with me. I recognize him, I think, though I can't pinpoint where from.
"With your leave, I'll assist you, Lady Helyn."
I blink up at him. "I'm fine, thank you."
"Pardon me, my lady, but that's a lot of books," he says, eyeing my pile. "And we are going the same way."
"How would you know where I'm going?" I say, eyes narrowing.
He winces and scratches his head. "There's no nice way of putting it. I've been following you." Seeing my expression, he rushes to add, "On the king's orders. I'm one of your guards—that is, until a permanent retinue of knights are assigned to you."
I'm not sure I believe him at first, but I focus on his eyes and find that I do recognize them. Usually, they're the only thing I see, as he typically wears a silver helmet with full armor.
"I see. Well, in that case…" I hand him three of the seven volumes in my arms.
He snorts and takes two more.
We chat on the short walk to Zale's. His name is Koll and he's from the southern isle—though not my stepfather's holdings. He asks about the undercity, and I tell him all about my grandmother.
When we reach the manor, he escorts me to the library—and a good thing too, as I forgot the way—and takes a seat on the opposite side of the study table that’s been brought close to the fire since yesterday.
I suppose the king didn't like my using his rug as a desk.
Koll's company isn't unpleasant, and he does order lunch, and then a snack around four, no doubt under the king's command.
I can't help but wonder that I am now under the protection of the king who despised me and did his best to crush me with shame just a few days ago.
And worse yet: I let him take care of me, indirectly or not.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE
VOICELESS
I've seldom come as far uptown as the main city square, and by the time Zale's hovercraft lands in front of it, I'm as excited as a little girl.
The square is packed with city folk, food stands, dancers and magicians sharing their skills for a few coins.
