“I… think I can feel it as well.”
“He thinks? You think? Do either of you know?”
“Um—”
“If what I nearly walked into was any indication, I think you already do. Both of you,” she snapped then, whirling around to face me and approaching where I sat in a few long strides. “A soul bond is not something to be trifled with, girl. It’s rare and powerful. It can make you both stronger. It can give you the strength you need to face what’s coming.”
My lips parted in surprise.
“What’s coming?” I repeated. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve seen war before, girl. The writing is on the wall, same as it always is. One King gets his power stolen by another whose granddaughter was murdered by the son of the first. It’s always the same, dear. Always the same. Countless more to die to make up for deaths long done or, in this case, never done at all.”
I forgot to breathe as she loomed over me, the voice of reason, of warning.
“Whether it comes from Alban and Ariadne or Perseus and Ursa, I promise you, it will come. And my dear, you seem to find yourself in the middle of it. So you had better not think, you had better know when that time comes,” she said. “And in the meantime, I’ll be damned if you’re to face it all untrained. So get cleaned up and get some rest because we’re starting again in the morning.”
She thrust a piping hot cup of tea into my hands and then disappeared into a cloud of smoke.
I stared after where she had vanished for a long time before I heard the telltale click of a latch as Lark emerged from the bedroom.
“Is she gone?” he asked, peering around.
My gaze snapped to him and then narrowed.
“So you are still here,” I snapped. “You abandoned me to her!”
He shrugged his shoulders, taking the second cup of tea his aunt had left behind for him as he settled into the armchair across from me as always.
“She seemed rather intent on having you alone,” he said.
“So did you,” I snapped, bitterly. “Before.”
His lips curled up into a mischievous smirk.
“And I always will,” he drawled. “But you look exhausted.”
“Oh, thank you,” I muttered sarcastically, though I knew he was right. My eyes were already drooping from my exhaustion.
“You’ve had quite the day. Maybe it’s time for a rest.”
“A shower first.”
I rose slowly from the couch, my muscles groaning out their displeasure as I did. I hesitated, stretching my back, cocking my head to the side, rolling my neck. And as I did, Lark waved a hand and the couch suddenly held a few pillows and a black fur blanket. I looked over the makeshift sleeping arrangement with a narrowed gaze.
“I’ll take the couch,” he told me, already moving from the armchair to the sofa.
“That’s unnecessary,” I replied. “The bed is big enough for the both of us. You’ll be more comfortable—”
“If I get into that bed tonight, Ren,” he started, already raising the blanket and settling onto the couch, “neither one of us will get the rest we need.”
I turned away as my eyes widened and my cheeks blushed crimson, but not fast enough. He had seen and his deep chuckles reverberated against my chest as I scurried from the living room and shut the door tightly behind me.
Chapter thirty-two
A Lesson in Combat
Ishoutedacurseas I hissed and shook my hand to clear the stinging from the blow I’d just been dealt.
