“Thank you,” Eira murmured, leaning into her friends as her fingers moved against Cullen’s. He pulled away the second she began to take his hand, staring out the window with that same dark and guarded expression. The movement was a strike to her gut. There was clearly much more left to be said between them.
“You should go back to bed,” Alyss instructed. “You’ll have a long day tomorrow, no doubt, and you’ll need your strength.”
Eira allowed Alyss to help her back into bed. Cullen and Noelle bid their good nights and retreated to their rooms. Eira sank into her sheets as Alyss pulled the duvet up to her chin.
“Alyss,” Eira murmured.
“What do you need?”
“Stay with me tonight? I don’t want to be alone…”
“Of course.”
Alyss walked around the bed and slid between the sheets next to Eira. On occasion, they would have sleepovers in the Tower, cramming into one bed, or one of them sleeping on the floor. Alyss was always fast to fall asleep and her familiar, soft snoring was just what Eira needed to close her eyes.
She was among friends. She was safe, for now. But she’d have to fight to preserve that safety, starting first thing in the morning by finding Ducot.
18
The next morning was a blur. Eira woke to an attentive Alyss, who insisted on checking over her status before Meru’s clerics. “They’re very good,” Alyss admitted, “But I’ll feel better if I have a hand in your care.” Eira was too grateful to have her friend’s concern to fight against her persistence.
When Alyss was satisfied, she went to get Levit and the healers. Eira’s room became a revolving door. Levit was first in, alone, to express his worries and apologies for not keeping her safe. Eira wasn’t sure what he was apologizing for…she was the one who had run off. She tried to assuage him, but he’d hear none of it and her guilt was a heavy burden as Levit’s eyes filled with tears. He refused to let her out of his sight even when the clerics entered.
After being poked, prodded, healed, and healed some more, the clerics were finally satisfied. Eira thought that might have been the end of it, but then a whole patrol of the city guard, Swords of Light, and queen’s knights entered. She was surprised Deneya wasn’t among them. But Eira remembered what Deneya had said—if they appeared too close, it’d draw too many questions. And if there was one thing she knew about Deneya, it was that the woman would find Eira when she was ready for her.
Eira told the story the Pillars had instructed her to say. As she spun the tale, she looked each of the soldiers in their eyes, wondering if one of them was a Pillar in disguise, here to make sure she did as told. She wished she’d had more opportunities to get better looks at the Pillars’ faces. But between the blindfold and trauma, their features were murky in her memory.
How deep did their infiltration run? Not knowing meant everyone was a suspect. Ferro had been the one to first teach her how dangerous trust was. Now she needed that lesson more than ever.
“I’m sorry,” Eira said, voice cracking from overuse. “I’ve told you everything I know and remember.”
“You’re certain it was only two morphi men?” the knight who had been interrogating her questioned for what felt like the hundredth time.
“I don’t know much about this world, but morphi are distinct with their glowing dots instead of eyebrows.” Eira looked to Levit for relief. “May I have some water, please?”
“Of course.” Levit went over to a basin and pitcher the clerics had left. As he filled a cup and brought it back to her, he spoke. “I think this has been more than enough.”
“We’re trying to get every bit of information we can. Even something that seems insignificant can help find the perpetrators.” The knight closed the small journal he’d been taking notes in. “If you remember anything else, no matter how small, tell it to one of the guards stationed here at the manor.”
“Of course.”
“After being taken from the safety of these walls, I know you might not believe me, but this place is secure. We have doubled down on our patrols,” he said.
All Eira heard was that it’d be harder than ever to sneak away if she needed. Though, after her last nighttime venture, Eira had no plans on escaping anytime soon. “Thank you. I’ll do my best.”
“Then, for now, we’ll take our leave.” The knight nodded, motioned to the soldiers, and they all filtered out of her room. Levit followed behind them and Eira was alone. The endless barrage of healers and knights had taken most of the day. Her friends brought her dinner and they ate together in the Solaris common area before Eira went back to bed to continue her recovery. While part of her had been hoping to report to the shadows, the other part was grateful to have the night to rest. The shadows would come for her when they were ready.
The next morning, she rose late and felt almost completely back to normal. As she dressed, her thoughts kept drifting over to where she’d found the dagger containing Ferro’s voice. How had it ended up hidden in the mantle? She knew the Pillars had infiltrated this place. Eira shuddered, thinking of Ferro wandering the rooms before the competitors arrived, thinking of traps he could lay, wondering where she might be staying.
If she could just get her hands on the dagger again, perhaps she could listen more closely for any other words that could be locked within it. Her magic still felt sharp and potent, ever since the pit. If she tried to listen again, she was sure she could—
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
“Come in,” Eira said, tugging on her clothes to make sure they were all in place.
“Oh, sorry to intrude.” A kind woman with graying hair and lilac eyes poked in her nose.
Eira bristled instantly. The first time she’d seen the woman laying out breakfast, Eira hadn’t made the connection. Neither had she the next time. But now, seeing those eyes so close after seeing Ferro…
