I smiled as demurely as I was capable of. “I’m grateful the Light found me, Father. Everyone’s been very welcoming.”
“Mm.” His eyes slid toward mine. “Particularly Elior.”
A beat pulsed behind my ribcage. I forced an easy chuckle. “He’s been very patient with me. I’m learning a lot from him.”
“You spend a great deal of time with my son. Don’t think I’m not aware of your walks together.”
I kept my hands loose at my sides. “I wouldn’t think of hiding it from you, Father. But I apologize if I’ve been monopolizing his time. I just find him to be a good teacher.”
“Teacher…” Malachi echoed, like the word amused him. “That’s new. I can’t help but wonder what you’ve beenlearning. Elior has always been… impressionable.” His gaze sharpened slightly. “He feels deeply, and he trusts easily. A dangerous combination.”
I nodded, keeping my breath slow. “I would never take advantage of that. I only want to honor the Light with whatever guidance I’m given.”
Malachi smiled stiffly. “Of course. A young man like you—full of fervor, eager for connection—it’s natural to be drawn to someone as radiant as Elior.” He paused. “But you wouldn’t want to confuse him, would you? He is so easily confused, after all.”
I tamped down the instinct to bear my teeth.
“I’m here to serve,” I said quietly. “Nothing more.”
A long silence stretched. Malachi studied my face like he could peel it apart. Then he stepped closer—closer than necessary, closer than comfortable—and placed a hand on my shoulder again. This time, the grip was firmer.
“Elior belongs to the Light,” he said. “I don’t know how you were on the outside, but in here, we do not tolerate any misplaced affection.”
My jaw locked for half a second before I softened it again. “Yes, Father.”
His fingers lingered a moment longer before withdrawing. “Good. I knew you would understand.” He turned and walked away, robe rustling behind him like wings.
I held my smile until he disappeared around the corner.
I exhaled through my nose harshly, trying not to let the rage show on my body. Anyone could walk past. Anyone could see. Anyone could report a shift in demeanor to Malachi.
But still—
Still, it crawled up my spine like fire.
Elior belongs to the Light.
The words echoed, venomous and absurd.
Malachi said it like a claim. Like a brand burned into skin. Like Elior was an object he owned—some artifact he’d crafted, chiseled, polished. The conviction in his voice made me want to punch something.
Frankly, I’d expected Malachi to say something about our walks a while ago.
I’d expected that exact conversation, but the possessiveness in his tone—the sweeping, entitled “mine”threaded through every fucking syllable—that got under my skin.
I rubbed my thumb against the inside of my palm, pressing my nail into my skin.
Malachi believed Elior was his. Not just hisson, but his creation, his legacy, his disciple, and most of all, his obedient servant.
I headed back toward the dining hall, keeping my pace easy, casual, and unbothered so as not to attract any attention.
He’d wanted to remind me that Elior was off-limits, as if the warning would make me step back.
It only made the want worse.
I reached the doorway to the hall and paused, letting the last threads of anger settle into a cool calculation.
The plan I’d been forming in my head for days began to evolve and shift.
