AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And maybe she was right. There was clearly more to it than she was letting on. Maybe we’d explored all that we’d ever get to explore.
But at least, for now, the incessant restlessness had eased.
Maybe that would have to be enough.
Chapter 6
FOURDAYS LATER
I’d failed her.
It didn’t matter that Ophelia was safely back in the shadow realm, tucked up in her wing of the palace with her husband. It didn’t even matter that we’d not only returned from the human realm with Ophelia, but with other Hunters willing to work with Shades.
All I could focus on was the fact that I’d failed her in the first place. Ophelia may have chosen to leave—and the king bore plenty of responsibility for her ever feeling like that was necessary—but she’d been imprisoned by the Hunters the moment she’d gone back. She hadsufferedthere after I’d sworn to the captain that I’d protect her.
After I’dbefriendedher.
The guilt was eating me alive.
Having gotten the other Hunters settled at Elverston House, I dragged my weary body back to my apartment with the intention of bathing and perhaps taking a long-overdue nap after an exhausting couple of days.
But I hesitated in the entry hall, looking down the corridor that would take me to the kitchens instead. Iwashungry. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten.
That wasn’t the reason I wanted to go down there, though.
I’d stuck to my word and avoided Calix whenever it was practical to do so—only seeing him when Ophelia needed to visit the kitchen or when he’d tracked me down in the gardens—but theurgeto see him still hadn’t gone away. It was probably just because nobody in my life had ever spoken to me the way he’d spoken to me, and there was a novelty in that, but knowing thewhydidn’t make the want any less dangerous.
“Levana.” One of the palace staff—Ulyssia—approached, bowing quickly. “You have a guest from your family estate. Nyfain? He has been waiting for you in one of the drawing rooms as he couldn’t access the apartment.”
My exhaustion pressed in on me a little harder.
“How long has he been waiting?”
“A few hours. He wouldn’t leave without seeing you.”
That didn’t bode well. Ulyssia led me to one of the smaller drawing rooms on the second floor, excusing themself as I forced my feet to carry me over the threshold. It wasn’t wise for me to meet with Nyfain in this state—I might say something I’d regret—but if he wasn’t going to leave, then there was nothing to be done for it.
“Levana.” Nyfain bowed. “Are you well? Your duties took you far from court.”
“That is part of the job sometimes.” Nyfain was standing as always, but I immediately headed for an armchair, needing to sit down for a few minutes. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting.”
Rather, I was sorryhe’dkept my father waiting. I doubted that would go down well.
“I was under strict instructions not to return until I’d spoken to you.” Nyfain straightened slightly, hands folded behind his back as always. “Your sister has confirmed that she is expecting.”
Dread hit me first, followed swiftly by guilt at my own selfishness. And then happiness, though nowhere near as much as Ishouldhave felt.
“How wonderful, she must be so pleased,” I replied, genuinely meaning it before second-guessing myself slightly. Was that what Sirena wanted? I had immediately thought yes, since she’d always mothered her dolls as a child, but this wasn’t a game of make-believe, and her child was no toy devoid of feelings. Before they were even born, their life would be planned out for them. “If she’s happy. Is she happy?”
Nyfain looked startled by the question. “Of course. She has wanted this for many years. Your sister feels that you are better off remaining here, particularly given your recent elevation within the Guard. Your father disagrees.”
The fact that I was even hearing my sister’s dissenting opinion was interesting. Did Sirena have more say at home now? Or were Nyfain’s loyalties divided?
Nyfain shifted uncomfortably. “Your father feels that the debacle with the queen leaving the realm is an indication that you should return home. That the noblest course of action would be for you to publicly apologize for your failure, and resign to best restore the family’s reputation.”
“My failure,” I repeated flatly. It wasn’t anything I hadn’t thought about myself in the past few hours, but it was devastating to have my deepest regrets validated by someone else.
“He trusts that you will make the necessary arrangements as soon as possible.” Nyfain looked so desperately uncomfortable that I didn’t bother responding or delaying his departure any further as he inched toward the door. It wasn’t his fault.
