“I guess it makes sense now,” she said to him as she sat down.
“What does?” he asked her, barely making eye contact.
“Why you have so many kids,” Ena said.
He looked at her with his eyebrows raised, realizing that she’d put two and two together about his Power. “You got me,” he said, before looking back down at his mug.
Gaia, you would’ve thought she’d killed this man’s family with the cold shoulder he was giving her. She was just trying to waste the time with some mindless conversation so she didn’t have to think about Ty and what in the Underworld she would do if she had to sleep next to him again tonight, but this guy just wouldn’t give an inch. What the fuck did she ever do to him anyway?
“What the fuck is your problem with me?” she asked, the alcohol completely obliterating her brain-to-mouth barrier. “Do you just hate all witches? Is that it?”
Steig looked around frantically. “Keep your voice down,” he hissed. “Do you want them to know what you are?”
She rolled her eyes. There was no one here anymore anyway. They were all back in their rooms fucking like rabbits.
“Fine, don’t tell me. Don’t suppose it matters anyway,” Ena said. She’d never admit it to him, but it did matter. Turner seemed fine enough with her, kind even, but Steig had always had a stick up his ass about her, even before he knew who she was to Ty. And in Ena’s mind, he had no right to treat her this way when she’d done nothing to him. He was the one who’d kidnapped her, forced her into this. The least he could do was not be a constant asshole.
Steig looked over at her, clearly noting her drunken state, and she thought she saw a flash of pity in his eyes. “I don’t hate all witches. I mistrust them. There’s a difference.”
“Okay…and why do you mistrust us?” Ena asked.
Steig rolled his eyes, as if that was the dumbest question he’d ever heard. Ena was about to get up and leave this pointless conversation, when he spoke again.
“I was there, you know,” he said, pausing to make sure she was listening. “After Ty tried to get back to you. After they beat him nearly to death. I was there.”
Ena froze where she sat. She’d known they were friends, best friends, but she never thought about that, never guessed that he’d been there for Ty, all those years ago.
“The beating hurt his body badly. He couldn’t walk for almost a month after that. But his heart… that was worse. The loneliness and the regret that haunted him in the years that followed. He was never the same.” Steig shook his head as he took another gulp of ale. “You fucked him up good, witch.”
Ena bristled at his tone. As if that was her fault. As if she wasn’t hurting and fucked up herself after that summer.
“Yeah, well, the feeling was mutual,” she said, her hands finding her own mug for another sip.
“I can see that,” he said, looking at her appraisingly. “I don’t know how I didn’t figure it out earlier, actually. Who you were. I should’ve known.”
“And you blamemefor that? For him being hurt and all that came after?”
“No, I don’t blame you. But I know what it is to love someone fiercely. So fiercely, that you’re willing to ignore all the bad that comes with the good. And seeing you two together…seeing the soft spot he’s had for you since the minute we took you…I’m worried about my friend.”
Ena was silent as she took in his words. She could understand his concern for his friend. But love? That wasn’t what she and Ty had. They were drawn to each other, yes, but it wasn’t love. How could she love someone who’d hurt her so badly? Besides, she didn’t know how to tell Steig that he didn’t need to be worried. Things between her and Ty were over, and they both knew it.
Those words were on the tip of her tongue, but for some reason, she couldn’t bring them out.
Steig looked over at her again before draining his cup. “Just take some advice and keep your distance from him. For both your sakes.” He stood up, leaving her alone at the table before going upstairs to his room.
Ena watched the fire burn down alone until she’d finished her mug. She swayed slightly as she walked up the stairs to her room. Walking in, she saw that the bed was empty, but Turner was passed out in a nest of blankets with a pillow on the floor in front of the fire. They clearly didn’t want her to be unsupervised all night, but she silently thanked Gaia that Turner was here and not Ty. It was easier that way.
Because she wanted to take Steig’s advice. She wanted to keep her distance. She knew it was the only path forward. For both of them.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Inthemorning,therain finally stopped. It felt strange waking up alone after so many nights next to Ty, but at least Turner, who was already awake, was there to instantly distract her from the small ache that grew in her chest.
“Sleep well?” he asked as he built up the hearth with logs.
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that? You’re the one who slept on the floor after all,” Ena replied groggily.
Turner smiled at that. “I didn’t mind it. It was warm by the fire,” he said.
