I swallow at his abrupt answer. It’s the same one he’s been giving me since I started to prod him. And even though I’ve had plenty of experience dealing withSin when he’s less than chatty, I thought we were past that.
Doubt starts to well up in me, and I’m still trying to shove it back down when he finally turns to me.
His gaze softens, even as it’s lined with concern. “Family members of the prisoners have arrived to help. You need food and rest. Come on.”
Gently, he takes my hand and pulls me to my feet. His gaze momentarily snags on my missing finger, and rage flickers across his expression, just for a second before softening again.
There’s an older woman behind us, and her warm amber eyes meet mine. Her gray hair is pulled back in a low bun, and she’s holding a pile of clean cloths. From her slitted pupils, I’m pretty sure she’s from the Beast Realm.
“He’s right, Your Grace. I’ve come to offer my services to the wounded. Now, take a rest before you become one of them,” she orders in a no-nonsense tone, waving me away.
The title she uses to address me causes my stomach to twist – that’s how people were addressing Need.
“Please, just call me Vivian, and thank you,” I note, taking a reluctant step back.
“Very well, Vivian.” She slides into my spot and gets right to work.
I swallow. It feels wrong to leave when there are still people waiting to be treated.
“This is how war works, kitten. We rotate; otherwise, we’ll all be exhausted, and that leaves us vulnerable,” Sin coaxes, lacing our fingers as he leads me out of the room.
I follow, casting a final, forlorn look over my shoulder, until the doors close.
A small sitting room across the dining hall is bustling with motion. Servants hustle, bringing out trays of warm food. Long tables now line the walls, and people are already serving themselves.
Shocked, I step inside. The servants immediately freeze and fall into deep bows.
More unease floods me. “Woah, uhm, please stop that. You don’t need to bow, ever again. In fact, if you find the spot where they’re apparating people, you can all go home. You’re free.”
My words feel awkward, but I hope they convey my intent.
Slavery is abolished, effective immediately.
They rise, and a girl who looks to be in her late teens beams. “Oh, we know, Ma’am. Some of the other servants have already left, but most of us… we can’t go.”
“I’m sure we can find–” I start, thinking that the Shadow Realm towns might be a great resource, when she shakes her head.
“No, no. What I mean is that we don’t want to go. We want to help. We may not have powerful magic or know how to fight, but you all need to eat. We can take care of that,” she finishes with a hopeful smile.
The others nod in agreement, and the room gets blurry from my unshed tears. We can’t beat Need alone, and now, more people are standing together than I ever could have hoped.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
They get back to work, and I make a mental note to make sure they start to be paid for their efforts.
Sin looks down at me with a warm smile and kisses the top of my head before we drift over to the food.
“You’re good at this,” he notes softly. There’s a note of pride in his words.
“What?” I take a chocolate chip muffin. It’s still warm.
He takes one as well, and we head back into the corridor. “Leading,” he answers, giving my hand a small squeeze, and angling us toward the Southern Wing.
My cheeks heat, but my mouth is full of chocolate goodness, so I don’t bother to correct him.
I was not built for leadership. I was built for books, blanket forts, and social awkwardness.
They are NOT interchangeable.
