Garroway reaches out and takes my hand. With a light squeeze, forcing my eyes over to his handsome face, he says, “In the meantime, lass, don’t you also have a life to live now that you’re home? People to see, things to learn?”
I match his smile, feeling ashamed my mind has been fixated on my mother and my conflicting emotions ever since my escape. I’ve hardly had any time to spend with the vampires I crave.
There’s more, besides.Kleora is dead. Lukain will be angry. My former master told me to ask Skartovius about where he got his silver saber, hinting it would unravel me somehow. I still need to ask those hard questions.
Rirth and the Grimsons hate me after I inadvertently got Culiar killed, which is awful. Maybe I can meet with them andtry to rectify our issues. I’m wary of apologizing to them since Culiar knew what he was getting into when I chose him to fight.
I blink, shaking my head and realizing just how true Garroway’s words are. There’s a life I’ve been gone from for three months, just as I was beginning to come into my own as an ally of Lord Ashfen of Manor Marquin, and a member of his court. No, aqueen, in his eyes. The first everhumanmember of his court.
As long as we can keep Jinneth safe here, my questions for her can wait a little longer.
“You’re too right, Garro.” I step forward and place a small kiss on his smooth cheek. “I’ve been gone far too long. I’d like to see just how much things have changed in my absence.”
“Your absence has been sorely noticed,” Skar says. “And trying.”
I smile sadly at him. “I’m sorry.”
He glances out a window, into the approaching dawn. “We need rest as well. We have things to do now that you’re safe. I would like to get those tasks done before the sun lifts above the skyrises.”
I nod diligently, realizing I might not get my wish to laze away the afternoon with my vampires after all.
“Master is right, sadly,” Garroway adds with a frown. “We all need rest. Can you sleep here, little honey badger? We will assure your safety.”
“That’s fine.” I let out a heavy sigh. The impending loss of my men is a heavy weight to bear, and I can’t hide it from my voice. “This evening, then?”
“Of course.” Skar gives me a small nod.
“What is it you need to do?”
Vallan says, “North Mines for me. I’ve been distracted in my duties planning your rescue. Cordea’s been running the ship and I’d like to get my hands on the helm.”
Garroway says, “I have a meeting planned with our silversmith friend in Nuhav. It’s hard to find Master Vanison on the best of days, so I don’t want to squander the opportunity.”
Skar snorts. “Master? You only have one Master, cub, and it’s not Vanison Shirin.” He shakes his head and sees me watching him. “I will return to Manor Marquin to shore up any disagreements within my court. With you returned, my people need to know what to expect and how to act when they see you next.”
I bite my lip, giving a forlorn nod as he finishes. “The wheels of time keep rolling.”
A soft caress ghosts across my chin as Skartovius tilts my head to face him. “We can stay, love.” His eyes drill into mine.
I swallow past a dry throat, wanting nothing more than to accept his words.Buthere,among my mother and the Chained Sisters? I’d never be able to do what scandalous things I have in mind while Jinneth, Keffa, and the others are just a wall away.“No,” I say, running my hand across his forearm. “We will reconvene. The day is upon us, we need rest, and you have missions. I can’t be selfish.”
“You can always be selfish with us, little temptress.”
I walk down the empty hall with my men behind me. The older women are starting to cook and the bustle of an early morning picks up inside the dwelling. Our restless night has come to an end, but here, the day is just beginning. I have no doubt I’ll find sleep the instant my head meets a cot. I can barely stand upright and my mind pulses from a gnawing hangover.
At the front door, I grab Skar’s hand, which works to spin all three of them toward me. There’s worry on my face as another question rises. “We were ambushed by Alacine Mortis of the Intelligence Ward,” I begin, “in a location owned by Liolen Sesk of the Commerce Ward. I was given over to a prisonin Aramastun Wyvox’s Judgment Ward, which was guarded by Barnabac Craxon’s soldiers from the Military Ward.”
Skar smiles. “You’ve not forgotten your studies. Good girl.”
My body melts at the praise, yet my worry grows. “Do you not fear the Five Ministries may retaliate after all this? Might they burn you out, steal your property, do something to Manor Marquin . . .” I raise my chin, breathing deeply. “Might they try to destroy you all?”
Skar stares down his nose at me, his eyes dancing as he searches the tangible fear written on my face. Then he breaks into another smug smirk, which is both infuriating and so delectable on his perfectly sculpted pale face. He sweeps strands of auburn hair back, off his shoulders.
“No, love,” he says. “For Lukain to admit what happened tonight is to invite political suicide. He’s already died and been reborn once as Overseer Verant. He won’t want to die again. It’s not the Olhavian way to admit to being bested.”
I clench my teeth, regarding him, trying to feel out if he’s speaking the whole truth or just placating me so I won’t worry while they’re gone. It’ll be impossible not to.
“Then what will happen?” I know how naive and foolish of a question it is in a world of mysteries and unpredictable monsters. The landscape is ever-changing up in the mountains of Olhav, because vampires are too conniving to keep static.
