“I thought you’d already stepped out for the day.” She smiled, genuine and sage, and Eira’s worries evaporated. She was being paranoid. On closer inspection, the woman’s eyes weren’t much like Ferro’s at all.
“I was just about to. Is there something I can help you with?”
“No, I wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything.”
“You came because you thought I stepped out…but also wanted to make sure I didn’t need anything?” The worried feeling was creeping back.
The woman chuckled softly, lines wrinkling around the corners of her eyes. “Apologies. I know you’ve been through a lot; I shouldn’t have confused you further.”
“I’m not confus—”
“I’m Mistress Harrot.” The woman bowed her head, bringing a hand over her chest. “I oversee this manor and its occupants on behalf of Queen Lumeria.”
Lumeria’s ranks had been infiltrated. “Levit mentioned you. So how might I help you again?”
“Even though I thought you stepped out for the day and it was futile, I still thought I would try and catch you to see if you needed anything. My duties kept me busy until now. But as the keeper of the house, I’d feel wretched if I wasn’t attentive to my guest’s needs.”
“I’m fine, thank you.” Eira forced a smile. Part of her felt guilty for being suspicious of everyone. Part of her had learned better. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“Yes, of course.” The woman retreated and Eira brushed past her, shutting her door and wishing she could lock it. But she wasn’t in possession of anything secret, was she? Her heart was racing as she scoured her memories of the things she’d had in her room. There were Adela’s journals, hidden under her bed. But everyone already expected her to be Adela’s spawn. And she could always feign ignorance as to their author, if it came to that.
“If you need anything, you just let me know.” Mistress Harrot departed.
Eira tried to shake the unsettled feeling and was only mildly successful. But suspicions could wait. Food was the more pressing matter. Food, and Ducot.
With her heart thundering in her throat, Eira opened the main door of the Solaris common area. There was no sign of where Harrot had gone off to. A bored-looking soldier straightened at her presence. He wasn’t one of the people who had been interrogating her yesterday. Eira didn’t recognize him as one of the Pillars, either.
There were more soldiers placed at every door along the stairs and two at the main entry. She wound down to the common areas that overlooked the river. It was noisier than she expected and Eira hesitated on the stairs. If she could face Ferro, the Pillars, and their Champion and live to tell the tale, she could survive facing the competitors at large after what happened.
The moment she came into view, every conversation hushed and every eye was on her. The competitors sat in groups according to the nation they belonged to. Eira’s eyes grazed over the draconi, elfin, and humans that must be from the Republic of Qwint, to land on the group of morphi. She knew her gaze lingered for a fraction too long, but Eira couldn’t help it. The relief she felt at seeing Ducot, even if his face was expressionless at her presence, was too overwhelming. Eira quickly averted her eyes before anyone would think to question why she was so focused on a random morphi she’d only spoken to a handful of times.
Eira crossed to the table of food, pretending not to notice them all still staring. Taking a plate, she began to fill it generously. Her hand hovered over the stone-cut oatmeal, trembling slightly. It looked a little too much like the gruel she’d been served by the Pillars.
That room flashed before her eyes and, for a moment, she hadn’t escaped. Eira pressed her lids shut and blinked with purpose, dislodging the thought. For months, she’d been haunted by the darkness that Marcus had never surfaced from. The last thing she was about to do was allow the Pillars to smother her again.
“Would someone like to fill the blind man in on why no one is saying anything?” Ducot asked dryly, the words shattering the tension.
The morphi competitors snorted and then burst out laughing.
“Eira is back,” Graff said, finally.
“Didn’t we already know she was back?” Ducot shoved a hunk of bread into his mouth. “What’s the big deal?”
“It’s the first time we’re seeing her?” Graff shrugged.
“Ah. Seeing. No wonder I don’t get it.” Ducot snickered. “Welcome back, Eira.” The words sounded almost bored, but Eira knew they were meant sincerely.
“Thanks, Ducot,” Eira said with a small smile. “It’s good to be back.”
“Good to have you.”
“Welcome back.”
“Welcome back…”
The other competitors stood from their chairs, coming over to her, introducing themselves, asking how she felt, and wishing her well. A few were brave enough to ask her for an account of her experiences. Cullen and Alyss jumped up almost at the same time as the inquiry.
“She needs to sit and get some food so she can regain her strength.” Alyss seemed like she was ready to beat the other competitors away with a stick.
