I indulged in a few more quiet moments before straightening the blankets and pulling them back over her sleeping form. Carefully, I slipped away from her and made quick use of my bathroom before heading to the kitchen with the tray and remnants of the previous night’s snacks. I dropped the mess off and continued to the hall, tension returning almost immediately as I opened up all the doorways. After a quick check, I cleaned the dishes and started the kettle for tea. As I sorted out the pot, I made a mental list of where I wanted to take Phin.
There were three doors I believed had the best potential for the rare herbs, all in far-flung realms. One in particular seemed promising both for her herbs as well as for Rylan’s poison garden, as it was uninhabited and had a very temperate climate. It was one of the doorways I’d decommissioned ages before as well. We’d start there.
I was just returning to the hall with my tea and a quick breakfast of bread and cheese when Seir came through from the glade.
“You’re early today,” I said, offering him a cup.
“There’s a lot going on.” He was not his usual chipper self for the second day in a row. I could all but feel the tension radiating off him.
“Anything new I should know about?”
He shook his head. “Coltor is taking the first wave of stone kin through his doorways with odd magical activity today.”
“Good.” I frowned. “Does he need you there to help?”
“No, Magnus stayed to supervise. They are only checking a few at a time so that the groups going in can be larger. Anything new here? Everything okay?”
I felt like a youngling the way my skin prickled at the thought of my mate. “All is well.”
Seir brightened instantly. “Really?” He clasped his hands together in front of his chest, smile wide. “That’s wonderful news. I’m so happy for you both. See? One step at a time.”
“Yes, I suppose you were right. Are you available to monitor today? We’re going to be doing a similar journey as the stone kin, though likely only one location.”
“Of course. Which one? Just in case.”
“Florissar. It’s in the decommissioned area, light-green frame, dark-green serrated leaf at the top right and bottom left.”
“Got it. I have a request in with Keplar as well. I suspect you may need to redistribute gate-monitoring duties again soon, and Hell has the ability and manpower to cover.”
My temper flared. I knew it was irrational, that he was only trying to help and this was a logical step, but it felt like a swipe at my capabilities. “That’s not necessary.” My tone was biting, but Seir was unaffected. He even rolled his eyes at my outburst.
“I disagree. It’s something we should have looked into for you ages ago instead of believing your claims that you were fine. Because you weren’t fine.”
“I have managed perfectly well,” I argued.
“Of course you have, because you had to. But you don’t evensleepmost days, brother. That’s not fine.” He crossed his arms and sighed. “Things are changing, Tap. Even my position has become largely obsolete. They can help. It would still be just as secure. You’d get to personally approve anyone considered for the job, if it gets to that point. I promise.” He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t make me bring Phin into this.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“I would.” His grin was devious. “Because I can only imagine that she’ll want a mate who has time to do things with her, opportunities to be somewhere other than the great hall.”
“Seir.” I pinched the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger, a headache starting behind my eyes.
“Tell me I’m wrong, Tap.”
I sighed. “You’re not. I know you’re not.” My anger fled, leaving me feeling deflated. I knew he wasn’t wrong, about any of it. The number of doorways had grown too large for even two locations to monitor. And Phin deserved more than scant scraps of my time.
“I’m so glad we agree.” He leveled a gaze at me. “It’s not admitting failure to ask for help, remember? Didn’t it bring relief when Merry took over the creatures? Doesn’t it make you feel lighter to know that Phin is sorting out the deals?”
My chin dipped toward my chest. “Yes.”
“Then spreading out the shifts for watching the doors should allow you to actuallylive.”
I froze, his words striking a chord deep in my chest. I’d said a similar thing to Phin, about her existence at the church. It seemed the Fates had wonderful senses of humor and loved topresent their offerings in a way that left one taking a long look in the mirror.
“I hear you, Seir.”
“Good! I’ll keep you informed. Last I heard, Keplar was putting together a roster of potential candidates and possible locations for centralizing. I suggested that instead of splitting up the doorways themselves, we manage shifts based on location time so that someone always has a chance to rest. Might even allow Coltor to trade off doing nightshift sometimes, if he wants.”
