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“I doubt Nakoa wants to be my friend.”
Roderick gave an easy shrug. “He doesn’t know what’s good for him… Seems to be working well for you and Malekai.”
At my hardening look, he raised placating hands. “I mean that sincerely. Maybe if you set a boundary as friends, he won’t take you for granted or manipulate you anymore, nor will he feel like you’re shutting him out completely.”
“Maybe…”
I didn’t dare give any such thing hope.
“Either way, we’re here for you… You’re not alone. I can’t speak for Vesper, but as for the rest of us… Our loyalty to you isn’t hinged upon whether or not you decide to be with Nakoa…OrMalekai.”
My breath halted mid-inhale.
Roderick chuckled. “I’ve known Nakoa my entire life. He’s not theeasiestperson to get along with, and considering the entirety of his aspirations all sit inyourbasket untilwhatsherfaceis missing her head … I can imagine it’s making him a little crazy… Or well… Evenmorecrazy than his usual state of madness.”
“… Thank you, Roderick. That… means a lot more to me than you can imagine.”
He nodded slowly as his grey-blue eyes bore into mine, and it felt like he was seeing so much more than I’d intended to reveal.
“I hope you can get some sleep, Mareina.”
“Thank you… You too.”
I waited until Roderick had disappeared up the stairs before I slipped out of the tavern and made my way to the stable. Chihiro was happily gnawing away on his hay when I approached. I gave a pat on his thick neck, murmuring my apologies. He gave an exasperated huff in response.
The stable woman kept her eyes to herself as I approached, a palmful of silvers in hand. “I’ll be back in a few hours if anyone asks.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Chapter
Fifty-Three
MAREINA
The streets were surprisingly empty when Chihiro and I entered the city. Within 20 minutes, the smell of benzoin and myrrh drifted towards me… The scent was oddly familiar but caused my nerves to ratchet regardless. An anxious energy seemed to pulse through me as the marks on my arms tingled in an almost pleasurable, if not strange, way. A distinct improvement from the angry, burning sensation they’d had when I’d been trying to ignore thiscall.
The temple stood off by itself, carved in a pale veined marble. Torches hung from each of the many towering columns, casting ominous shadows in the dark of the nearly moonless night. Only a sliver of each of the moons remained. Silently, I made my way up the steps towards the colossal doors upon which a dark bronze effigy of Mors himself was mounted, taking the hand of a spirit as it rose from a body shed in its bed. He almost looked…gentle.
I also couldn’t help but notice that he had four enormous wings instead of merely two.
One of the enormous doors cracked open silently, just enough for me to squeeze through.
I heaved a sigh. “Oh dear…”
While, yes, it would be the height of stupidity to walk into this strange, dark temple alone… There I was… Stepping toward the door.
Surely, those grey-robed acolytes couldn’t wield any weapon or magic greater than mine… And Mors wouldn’t have stalked my dreams and marked me just to lead me here to die.
“Are you actually insane?”
My mouth quirked as I turned to see Malekai striding up the steps, wearing an admonishing look on his face.
“For fuck’s sake, Mareina…”
“Thank you for coming…”
He huffed, shaking his head. “Yeah, thanks for the invite. When I suggested you do this shit, I thought it went without saying that you take me with you, you fucking lunatic.”
