“Clarissa, you’re not going to dangle yourself as bait for a bunch of would-be assassins,” Thorne growled, taking a step out of his hiding place.
I took a sip. “It would be my choice, Lord Reaux.”
“What do you expect the rest of us to do, sit by while you run headfirst into danger unprotected?Youdon’t haveyourmagic, either.”
“And how would you recommend I beprotected?” I snapped, finally meeting his stare. His eyes were like the raging sea. “As you can see, I’m not exactlysafeanywhere I go, despite all of your best efforts. If I let them wander free here, what about when I go back home? Are the two of you going to come all the way to the Veridian Empire to rescue me?”
I threw a hand out to him and Galen. “I can take care of myself. I’m not saying I’m going to do anything rash, but we need some sort of plan in place.”
Thorne stalked closer, putting a hand on the back of the couch as if that kept him from leaping across the room to me. “This man has already made two attempts on your life, if not more. If he’s truly as dangerous and powerful as you all say he is, it sounds like he won’t be stopping anytime soon. Do you think you can go up against that alone?”
“Do you think I can’t?” I challenged.
He glared back at me but stayed silent. Leo’s eyesflicked between the two of us. If anyone in this room was going to be on Thorne’s side, it was my brother. He was protective to a fault, often recklessly endangering himself if it meant keeping me or those he loved out of trouble.
“I agree with Thorne,” he said. “We still don’t have definitive proof that there evenareShifters here. Rissa, I get that you want to take action. I get that you feel sequestered here,” he brandished an arm, “but you’re not a Sentinel anymore. Don’t go looking for trouble that may not be there. You have more important things to worry about right now.”
Thorne tipped his head and pointed to Leo as if to say,See? I told you so.
I pursed my lips and crossed my arms. Tension crackled as I shifted my jaw, knowing Leo was right. I was itching for something to do, and when someone told me I couldn’t, it made me want to prove them wrong.
Galen shook his head with a sigh. “Calm down, you two. Look, it’s been a very quiet three days. Perhaps all of this worrying is for nothing. Let’s just get through the rest of this tour, yes? Starting with the ball the Penworths have planned for tomorrow evening.”
Taryn made a disgruntled noise in the back of her throat. “Ah, yes. Mother can’t resist any chance to throw aball.”
“Even when she hates us?” I asked.
“She hates everyone,” Taryn shot back. “But she loves pretty things and showing off this ridiculous house more.”
The others rose from their seats and stretched, picking up empty glasses as they made their way to the door to retire for the night. Galen approached me and said, “Speaking of pretty things, I wanted us to take a break from everything in the morning. Get away for an afternoon, just the two of us. And the guards. The South Territory has these beautiful seaside cliffs I remember from my childhood, and I wondered if you might want to go with me to see them.”
“Sure,” I said with a tired smile. “That sounds great.”
“Wonderful. We’ll leave after breakfast.”
“Does this work for today?”I asked Galen upon greeting him in the breakfast hall the next morning. I swished my sundress around my feet, the muted tones of burgundy brushing against my calves.
He glanced up at me with a piece of toast halfway to his mouth. “I’m sorry?”
“My dress,” I said. “For the cliffs. You didn’t tell me what we’d be doing, so Devora picked something easy to walk in.” He cursed, and I raised an eyebrow. “You forgot, didn’t you?”
“No, no, I didn’t,” he rushed out. “But Lord Penworth pulled me aside and asked if I would meet with him this afternoon. Some South Territory business.”
I sighed. “That’s fine. I’ll take Mia for a long walk around the estate or something.”
“Nonsense. Just because I can’t take you doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get to go.” His eyes snagged on something behind me. “Thorne! Come here,” he said, crooking a finger.
My smile fell.
“Clear your schedule. I’m stuck in a meeting with Rhys, so you’re going to take Clarissa to the Aurelia Cliffs for the day.”
“No,” both Thorne and I said at the same time, exchanging a glance out of the corners of our eyes.
“That won’t be necessary,” I continued.
“I’m busy today, Galen,” Thorne spoke over me.
Galen chuckled. “I know you two aren’t fond of each other, but honestly. This won’t kill you.” He spun between us and put a gloved hand on both of our shoulders. “And besides, you need to get used to working together. Think of this as a bonding experience.”
