Raewyn was clearly surprised. Her body bucked in my arms.
“What are you doing? I can walk to the bed on my own.”
Laying her atop the covers, I smiled down into her angry, blushing face.
“Now you won’t have to.”
I started walking to the door. “Have a nice rest. And happy reading.”
Before I left the room, Raewyn stopped me.
“Pharis?”
I turned back. “Yes?”
“Are you sure my family is all right? I can’t stop thinking about them. I… miss them.”
Her forlorn expression made me want to take her to them this very minute.
“They are safe and well,” I said gently.
“How can you be sure? Have you seen them?”
“In a way,” I said. “I have a talented Auspexiate here at Stormcrest. You don’t need to worry, little Wyn. I’m watching over them.”
“I can’t help it. I just wish I could see them myself.”
Her voice sounded wretched. “It’s been so long. The girls must be getting so much bigger. We could never afford to have portraits painted. I don’t want to forget their faces. And before long, they may forget?—”
Raewyn’s voice cracked, and tears flooded her eyes, making them shimmer.
My own eyes stung, my throat tightening till it ached.
I wasn’t really sure where it came from, but I heard my own voice say, “You’ll see them again, I promise. You won’t be stuck here forever.”
That was news tome, as I hadn’t really decidedwhatto do with her yet. My plan had begun and ended with saving her life and getting her away from my father and brother.
Raewyn blinked rapidly and swiped a hand across one cheek, her tone brightening along with her eyes.
“You’ll let me leave? When?”
Her eagerness was like a dagger in my gut. She really did consider herself a prisoner.
I guessed what I’d been hoping was that in time she wouldn’tfeelstuck here? That maybe she’d develop a fondness for my home andwantto stay.
Keep dreaming, idiot.
And what was the point of that hope anyway? It was far-fetched to believe she’d grow to like me again the way she had during our long journey.
I certainly didn’t want her to love me.
But I wasn’t quite ready to let her go yet either.
I hardened my tone a bit. “You can leave when the time is right. You’ve still got a lot of healing to do. And you need training if your glamour gift is going to be of any use to me.”
“So I can help you with your secret nefarious plan, I know,” she said. “And if I agree to this training?”
“Ifyou actually try your best to hone your skills—and don’t attempt to escape—I’ll watch over your family and see to all their needs.”
