“These are what you asked me for last night.” He set them on the small table between us, tapping the cover twice.
Annellius. My heart kicked up, the second pulse speeding with it. Greedily, my fingers curled around the file, unwinding the tie and cracking open the cover to peek at the first yellowed and creased page.
“I’m not sure how useful they’ll be,” my father apologized.
On the surface, he was right; there were only rudimentary facts. But he hadn’t spoken with the Angel or Annellius’s Spirit, didn’t have that instinct I did.
Flipping to the second page, I read the first line:Cause of death: blood loss. I wasn’t sure why my skin prickled, but I cleared my throat and steadied my hands. “Thank you for these. It will help.”
“You’ll be careful, won’t you,sorrida?” I recognized the concern creasing his brow better than I cared to admit.
“Of course, I will.”
“Good.” He stood and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Now enjoy your evening, and promise not to lose yourself too deeply in those files.”
“I promise,” I lied.
As he reached the office door, he turned around. One hand rested on the frame, a pensive look in his eye. “Is Malakai here? I’ve yet to see him.”
My fingers tightened on the files. “We’re all meeting in the city.” Another lie. I’d abandoned the idea the second I learned what was in these files. “I should be off to get ready, actually.”
“Damenal is beautiful this time of year.” He nodded, but I wasn’t sure whether he believed me. “Enjoy it.”
“Thank you.”
Once he was gone, I locked the office door behind him and put my other worries to the back of my mind. Settling into my chair, I opened the records on my ancestor and lost myself to the story of his fabled, cursed life.
Chapter Six
Ophelia
My lower abdomenfelt like it was being clawed in half.
I cried out, hunching over in bed, and warmth trickled between my legs.
“What’s wrong?” Malakai shot up beside me, placing a hand on my back. Gray dawn light cast a shadow around him, his voice thick with sleep.
“Gofuckingget Rina,” I hissed, clutching my knees to my chest.
“Oh, fuck, okay.” He fled the room before I could reply. Malakai had seen me when my cycle arrived plenty of times, and I was willing to bet it was one of the things he didn’t miss while he was gone.
We hadn’t spoken since our fight. I’d lingered in the office until well into the night. Until I heard the door to the bedchamber close and another hour after that. Because I hadn’t known what I’d say to him. With facts and figures of Annellius’s life clouding my mind, I didn’t trust myself to not let an unintended insult slip.
Now, I curled in a ball until Rina arrived with the tonic her mother had made us since we first bled. Normally, I’d have known my cycle was coming, but I’d been distracted lately. One sip of the cool liquid and it started alleviating the pain. A full dose and I’d barely feel discomfort the rest of the day.
“Twice a day,” she instructed, ever the thorough healer.
“I know.” I winced, but the sharper pains were already dulling to a manageable pulse in my lower back and a slight headache. “Thank you.”
“Of course. I also left your next week’s supply of contraceptives in your bathing chamber.” She’d been brewing those for me since we took up residence in the palace. Some mornings, I’d hear a gentle knock, and when I opened the door, the next dose was sitting there, Rina having already disappeared down the hallway.
I thanked the Angels for giving me such a doting friend when it came to health and healing. Human or warrior, sometimes there wasn’t much difference between us. Or at least, there shouldn’t be, despite the distance the world tried to instill.
“Thank you,” I repeated.
“Mm-hmm,” she hummed. “Keep heat on your back.” She headed for the door, probably hoping to get a bit more sleep in.
As Santorina left, Malakai returned, carrying a silver tray. He set it on the table between the fire and the couch I was curled on, then ran a hand over the back of his neck, avoiding my eye.
