“You are right, Lythandra. I value your point of view. Can you compile a list of Gods who have expressed their displeasure with living over here?” Theo said. He paused for a moment, then added, “And think about how we might help them—ways to give them purpose again, or at least make their lives more meaningful. Whatever happens with the war, we can’t let them drift into despair.”
Lythandra nodded, and we switched the topic. The Heralds had attacked my hometown, and Ignara had been there, showing off her powers in full force. It was likely that someone had noticed the battle between her and Theo, and it must have been quite a shock for the people. In their opinion, the Gods were dead and gone, only a mythical thing of the past. But if word got out that the Gods were still alive, it might start another civil war.
We strategized for another hour before we said our goodbyes. As we got up to leave, Auretheos called out to me. “A quick word, Maelis?”
After everyone had left the room, an uncomfortable silence settled between us.
“I wanted to make sure you’re all right again and thankyou for what you did yesterday. You were truly brave.”
I swallowed as tears threatened to fall. I didn’t feel brave or helpful, I had only felt fear and shame for not being able to do more.
“There is no need to thank me, you took the brunt of that firewall for me, I think we are even.” I tried to smile, but Theo didn’t return it.
“I want to take you to see your mother soon, if you feel up to it. My way of saying thank you for being my ‘little friend.’” He imitated Ignara’s haughty voice and I had to laugh at that. “Good, you’re laughing again. I like that,” he said and visibly relaxed. “I will be away on some meetings for the next two weeks, but let’s meet at Solis in a fortnight.”
I nodded. “I’d like that. I guess I will see you in two weeks then…”
He smiled. “Good night, wordsmith.”
I already knew that I was going to miss him when he was gone.
* * *
The following two weeks were a blur of activity. Training with Lydia took up most of my days and I was intently aware of the ultimatum the Abbot had set for me. Theo had told me that he would never allow anyone to harness my powers, but I knew the Abbot was watching me with hawk eyes.
Solis was finally here. I got woken up by someone knocking on my door and I crawled out of bed to find a sentinel holding a breakfast tray. I thanked him and carefully carried it over to my bed. There was a card next to my coffee mug and I instantly recognized it as Auretheos’ stationaryand handwriting.
“Good morning, wordsmith. Step one in saying thank you for being my ‘little friend’
is treating you to a God-made breakfast.
I have to run down to the temple, but I will be back in time.
See you at the stables. Theo”
I smiled brightly and looked at what was on my plate. There were delicious looking pancakes, crispy bacon and three slices of freshly baked bread with butter. The coffee smelled heavenly and there even was a tiny glass of juice. As I lifted the napkin, another note fell out, written on plain white paper.
“He did his best, but his cooking skills are abysmal.
I took the freedom to replace the pancakes and the bacon.
Please don’t tell him about this. Enbergin”
I snort laughed in a very unladylike manner.The Fates bless Enbergin.
I finished the whole plate and went to take a shower. It was only half past eight when I was ready to go, having donned on some brown trousers and a white blouse. It was supposed to be a nice day, but the temperatures had dropped significantly in the last couple of weeks, so I made sure to also pack a warm coat. When I came downstairs, a sentinel was waiting for me in the lobby, a basket in hand. “We packed you some lunch, my lady,” he said politely and handed me the basket.
“Thank you so much, I’ll take it to the stables,” I responded and made my way outside.
Auretheos was already there, dressed in a sentinel’s purple uniform.
I raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
“I don’t travel around much, as you know, and I don’t want to draw too much attention to myself. Hence the uniform,” he said, gesturing down his body.
I wanted to reply that he looked absolutely delicious in it and would certainly draw the attention of people, but instead I simply nodded. He clearly had no idea what he did to me. They say forbidden fruits taste sweeter, but my attraction to him went deeper than that. There was something about him that simply seemed to draw me closer each time we met—as if some invisible force was pushing us together, enticing me to pull him out of his comfort zone.
Still, I’d do my best to hide my feelings. It wasn’t only that he was off limits; it was the fear that if he ever realized how deeply he affected me, he might turn away. Better to keep my distance, pretend my heart didn’t race whenever he looked at me. Desire was dangerous—especially when it risked breaking the fragile balance between us.
