He quickly scanned my outfit, and his mouth tightened. “Didn’t I tell you to go get ready?”
I met his stare, the directness of his reprimand making me flinch slightly. “And where would I do this?”
Caden’s authority faltered for a moment, a brief look of realization crossing his face. He glanced around, his expression momentarily softening as he took in the surroundings.
“Right,” he said, his tone begrudgingly accommodating. “Enya will show you to your quarters.”
“Aren’t we going to eat?” I asked, glancing around.
“They are,” Sean said. “They’ll prepare something for us when we get back.”
I frowned. “We don’t get dinner before an assignment?”
Sean hesitated, the pause a bit too long. “Actually, the dinner table here is one large communal table where everyone eats together. Since yer new, Caden and I thought it might be better to ease you into it.”
So I’m not welcome at the dinner table. Great. Just great.
I nodded, ignoring the pang of hurt at being on the outsideagain.
Enya appeared at my side, ready to lead me to my quarters, as she had done once in the past.
I exited the kitchen with Enya, yet another former friend who had left me behind without so much as a goodbye and who might have played a part in one of the worst experiences of my life.
As she and I walked in silence down the winding corridors of Manor, I could sense how she was struggling for something to say, her usual calm demeanor slightly frazzled by the unexpecteddynamics of the evening. Couldn’t exactly blame her considering I was blaming her for enough already.
We turned a corner, and the grandeur of the building became even more pronounced. The walls were lined with intricate designs and smooth, polished stone, while the soft flicker of sconces bathed the room in a warm, welcoming light.
“Here we are,” Enya finally said. She stopped in front of yet another heavy, intricately carved wooden door. It looked like something out of a medieval fantasy, with elaborate scrollwork and a brass handle which gleamed in the dim light.
She turned to face me, her expression a mix of awkwardness and sympathy. “I know this isn’t the best time to talk. I’ll let you get some rest. You’ve got a big night ahead.”
I managed a small smile.
Enya hesitated, her hand drifting to my arm, a crease forming between her brows. “You’re not alone in this. We’re all on the same side, no matter how rough things get.”
I wanted to shout at her, to demand answers about why she had lied about her identity and her allegiances. I needed to know if she had any part in my abduction to Coastal. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
To confront her would mean showing enough emotion to crack my own facade, and I wasn’t ready. So instead, I nodded once, my response tight and controlled. “Thanks for walking me here, Enya.”
Just focus on the objective. Protecting Alek’s future. Nothing else.
Enya gave a small, reassuring smile before turning to head back toward the command center, leaving me alone in front of the door.
I forced my breath to steady and reached for the handle. The door creaked open to reveal my quarters.
My jawdropped.
The room was nothing short of majestic. Vaulted ceilings with exposed wooden beams screamed “rustic luxury,” while the heavy burgundy and navy drapes looked like they’d been stolen from a Renaissance festival’s VIP tent.
Tall windows lined one side, but since it was pitch-black outside, they mostly reflected me standing there, looking like I’d accidentally wandered into an episode of Downton Abbey.
A massive four-poster bed dominated the space, draped in fabrics so rich they probably had trust funds. And across the room, a fireplace blazed dramatically, casting a cozy glow that made the deep red and cream rugs look even more extravagant. A sturdy oak writing desk and an armchair by the fire completed the room, additions that made the space feel both grand and lived-in.
I stepped further into the room, my footsteps muffled by rugs. It was opulent, serene, and had the distinct vibe of a place wanting you to know how fancy it was.
Okay, enough with the sarcastic criticism, Thompson.
My inner voice was scolding me and she was right. I hated to admit, the room I was brought to was gorgeous, and at least ten times my dorm at the Universitas. And it wasn’t just the room. To be completely honest with myself, the whole Manor was…enchanting. And I hated it.
