Then he yanked his shirt up over his head. My gaze couldn’t help traveling over him. The sweaty muscles. The falcon tattoo. The many scars—including the new one above his hip where Father had stabbed him.
His hard green eyes caught mine staring, and I promptly looked away. He pulled on one of his usual short-sleeved black shirts, then settled next to me.
Strange. He’d heard what I said about Garyth. He should be angry as well, refusing to make any more eye contact, as Helene and Isabel were doing.
But his elbow brushed mine as he rested his arms on his knees like I did.
That small act of solidarity almost broke me. When I looked up at his tight expression, I wondered if I wasn’t the only one withering inside.
Everyone else stayed quiet while we waited. And waited.
Then, someone knocked twice on the door, scratched once, and knocked three times.
“That’s Caddik,” Nikella said, rising with her spear in hand. “But Korvin could’ve forced him to reveal us.” She handed a key to Jek, who also stood. “Unlock it and pull him inside.”
He did as she commanded. He whipped open the door and yanked an older man into our room.
Nikella leaped out of the room, spear first. She came back a moment later. “All clear. He’s alone.”
“Of course I’m alone,” Caddik grumbled, shoving Jek’s hands off his collar. “That slimy weasel finally left after he ate my entire breakfast and drank my gods-damned tea.”
His beady eyes glared around the room, taking us all in. “Now, does someone want to tell me why the king of the Shadow-Wolves was knocking on my door at dawn?”
Chapter 32
Kiera
Bathrooms wereexcellent places to cry.
I splashed water over my hands and face, washing away my tears with the sweat and dirt caked on my cheeks.
The others had followed Caddik into the kitchen for a meal while Nikella told him the story of my father and Renwell. It was a story I was tired of living.
But she would eventually come to the events of last night, which I wanted to hear.
First, I’d needed to release the tension that had been threading through my shoulders since the confrontation with Helene and Isabel.
Caddik had given me a stern look, but then told me where to find the bathroom. He gruffly added that he would find me some clothes if I didn’t have any. I’d thanked him and hurried off before I fell apart.
The bathroom, unlike the exterior of the manor and the deep cellar we’d sheltered in, was cheerful and bright. Yellow wallpaper reflected light from the oil lamps. A porcelain tub sat at one end with a stone toilet and sink in the other. Thin towels were stacked by the sink. I used one to wipe my face and grimaced at the murky streaks I left on it.
If only guilt were so easy to wash away. Or pain. Or grief.
My eyes filled with tears again.
I needed some gods-damned sleep and food. That was all. I would be strong enough to fight my pain afterward. I had to be.
Someone tapped on the door I’d locked behind me.
I dashed away the fresh tears. “Just a moment!” My voice came out too bright and quavery, like a thin flame in a strong wind. I cleared my throat and tried again. “I’m almost done.”
“I don’t need the bathroom, Kiera.”
I stilled, my heart thudding against my ribs. “Please go away, Aiden.”
“If that’s what you truly want.”
It wasn’t, and I didn’t hear him leave. Slowly, I walked to the door and unlocked it. I hid the towel behind my back before I swung the door open.
