But it felt like yesterday. It felt like betrayal.
21
Knocks echoed down the corridor before the door finally swung open, revealing Eilrys in the frame.
Eilrys took one look at me and her expression shifted, from casual greeting to sharp concern in the space of a heartbeat.
“Gods below, Isara.” She pulled the door wider, stepping aside to let me in. “You look like death warmed over and served on a funeral pyre.”
I probably did. My hair was a tangled mess, my clothes rumpled from sleeping in them, and I could feel the phantom warmth of Varyth’s chest against my cheek like a brand. The guilt must have been written all over my face because Eilrys’ eyes narrowed, that too-perceptive gaze cataloguing every detail.
“I’m fine,” I lied, crossing the threshold into the suite.
The space was larger than I’d expected. All warm woods and deep greens, with windows that overlooked the northern gardens. It felt lived-in in a way most quarters didn’t, scattered with books and weapons and the casual disorder of people who’d actually made themselves at home.
Darian was reclined on a burgundy sofa near the fireplace, his torso wrapped in clean white bandages that stood out starkagainst his skin. He looked better than he had yesterday, the grey tinge of blood loss replaced by something closer to his normal colouring. But there was a tightness around his eyes that spoke of lingering pain.
Before I could say anything, a blur of copper and chaos launched itself at me from somewhere near Darian’s feet.
“Isara!”
Fionn collided with me, his small arms wrapping around my waist with enough force to nearly knock me over. I caught myself against the doorframe, one hand automatically going to steady the boy as he beamed up at me with that infectious grin that made my chest ache.
“Hi Fionn,” I started, but he was already pulling away.
“Gotta go find Eryx and Mireth.” He bounced on his toes with enthusiastic energy. “We’re gonna explore! Mama said there might be kittens in the barn but we have to ask first and?—”
“Breathe, wildling,” Eilrys interrupted, but there was fondness in her voice. “Go find them. But if I hear about any fires, floods, or structural collapses, you’re all doing lessons with me for a week.”
“No fires. Promise!” Fionn shot me one more brilliant smile before taking off down the corridor like his heels were on fire, his footsteps echoing long after he’d rounded the corner.
“I’ll make sure they don’t burn the castle down,” Eilrys said, moving to follow him. Then she paused, glancing back at me with a smirk that was far too knowing. “Though you’ve already given it a solid attempt.”
“I didn’t—” I started, but Eilrys was already heading toward the door.
“Relax. Varyth will rebuild it quickly. Just... maybe work on that before you accidentally level the place.” She threw a wink over her shoulder. “In the meantime, perhaps you can make sure he doesn’t do anything to tear that wound open while I’m gone.”
Darian groaned and threw his head back against the cushions. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
Eilrys and I exchanged a look.
He absolutely did.
Then Eilrys slipped out, closing the door behind her.
The moment she was gone, Darian sighed dramatically, letting his head fall back again. “Great. Now I have two of you hovering.”
“Try not to do anything stupid,” I snorted, moving to perch on the edge of the armchair across from him. “And maybe you won’t need it.”
Darian let out a low, amused laugh. “I’m not sure I’m capable of doing anything smart.”
He was watching me with the kind of lazy interest that suggested he was cataloguing every detail. The wrinkled sleep clothes, the tangled hair, the way I couldn’t quite meet his eyes.
“So,” he drawled, one eyebrow arching in a way that was far too knowing. “Are you going to explain why you’re here looking like you wandered through a hurricane? In your sleep clothes, no less.”
My flush deepened, burning up my neck and across my cheeks in a wave of mortification. “I—it’s not?—”
“Wouldn’t have anything to do with you spending the night in our High Lord’s chambers, now would it?” The smirk that curved his mouth was absolutely wicked, all sharp edges and mischief.
