“I’ll help you find your family,” he continued, and my eyes widened. “But right now isn’t a good time. Things in this province are…tumultuous.” He rubbed a hand along the scruff at his chin. “I can’t afford to have an outsider screwing things up. You may not understand right now, but you staying here is for the best.”
His cloak swept across the floor as he moved to the door. I couldn’t stop myself from following him, silently cursing myself for being so needy. Socurious. I never could keep my mouth shut, especially when I sensed adventure.
And maybe, just maybe…there could be a way out of this. A way to get what I wanted.
“I’m not a child, you know,” I said quickly. “I can handle whatever’s happening out there. I see the horses coming after dark.” I gestured out the window, where the edge of the estate was in view. “I hear the whispers. New voices every few days, always at night. What’s going on? What’s sodangerous?”
He looked over his shoulder at me, his brow furrowing. “You can hear all of that?”
My lips parted, confused athisconfusion. Why wouldn’t I be able to hear them? They were incredibly obnoxious.
“Never mind,” he said before I could respond. “It doesn’t concern you. As much as you seem to hate this tower, it’s one of the only things keeping you safe.”
“Safe is boring.”
“Spoken like a true child.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t give me that. You’re barely ten years older than me.”
He hummed. “Presumptuous.”
“Observant.”
“Whatever you want to call it, you’re still not leaving.”
I let out a huff of frustration. “Just let me leave this Fates-forsakenroom. I’ve been good. I haven’t caused any trouble—consciously,” I amended. “If you claim this isn’t a prison, then let me see something besides these four walls.Please.”
He stared at me, one of his ringed fingers tapping against his thigh. I held my breath. I hated how dependent I was on this man. How my freedom lay in his claws.
I was so sick of others holding control over me. First Lady Reaux, now him.
“I’ll have Milo loosen the wards,” he finally said.
“You will?” My eyebrows rose in shock. I didn’t think I’d heard him correctly. “Wait—who’s Milo?” I blurted, suddenly remembering the name from Rebekah’s love note.
“The Alchemist’s apprentice. He can let the wards down enough for you to roam the manor. There will be rules,” he added when a hopeful smile slipped onto my features. “You’re only allowed in public spaces. And you still can’t leave the property.”
“For now.”
An exhale that sounded like a low snarl left him. “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”
I pasted on my most innocent smile. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m perfectly well-behaved. Trust me.”
Whatever antagonistic banter our hatred had morphed into disappeared at those words.
“After what you’ve done?” His features hardened once more, the brief warmth now sharp and icy against my skin. “I willnevertrust you, Shadow Wielder.”
4
Nox
The evening winter air was biting beneath my wings, but I was used to the cold. Each gust of wind curled around me like an old friend. I soared above the darkening clouds, stretching my wings and savoring the release of tension. My irritation with Devora seeped away as I flew west, along with the sound of her sultry voice, the image of full lips curved on pale cheeks, of bright red waves spilling over a shoulder.
I didn’t get to fly like this often. Scarven forced me to keep my dragon form a secret—unless it suited his needs, of course. He wanted me to stay covert. His Alchemist had charmed a ring that camouflaged my appearance when I shifted. It allowed me to blend into my surroundings, keeping me unseen as long as I was wearing it. I didn’t like to use it unless I was meeting with Scarven or on one of hismissions. I had a sneaking suspicion his Alchemist had infused some sort of tracker into the charm. The last thing I needed was him knowing my whereabouts at all times.
But, Fates, I missed flying.
It was the freest I ever felt. Out of reach from the rest of the world, with nothing but the night sky to watch over me. Up here, I could simplybreathe. Unburdened. Weightless. Alive.
