As I braid the ends, I find myself reminiscing on the dinner, the way Kassiel looked. His facade was convincing, too convincing if I’m honest. The hurtful words he threw around crash inside my mind like a furious echo.
“Is she foolish?”
“When we haven’t even tested her abilities?”
“I’m still questioning how sharp her wits may be.”
The last one stings more severely.
In an effort to silence the onslaught of unease, I whisper, “He did what he had to in the moment. He didn’t mean those things and you know this.”
My mind continues to lie, sewing seeds of doubt.
I bring my palms to my eyes and rub them until little black dots form in my vision.
Trying to end my torrent of self sabotaging thoughts I bite my lip until a small bead of copper tinged blood wells along the inside of my mouth.
I sigh, shakily and then crack my knuckles
Looking around the room before strapping my dagger back on, my eyes set on the small windowframe. Any trace of the Blood Moons is gone.
“Gods we need to hurry,” I mumble to myself.
I quickly locate my boots that are hidden under the bed and take stock of the rest of the belongings that are laid neatly along the side table.
After lacing the shoes, I make my way to where the blank notepaper lays. Grasping the nearby quill I scribble a note along the parchment.
It reads,
Leeson,
Distraction seems to have worked with King Euron… Send word to Jessamine and Rune that we need to be leaving. I’ll wait for Kassiel to meet me.
— A
I fold the note into a tiny triangle, tucking the last corner into itself to keep the page contained and walk to the window.
The latch falls open with a swipe of my hand and I push the panels until a gap, big enough for a bird, is formed.
Cupping my hands around my mouth, a low whistle for Oak reverberates from my lips.
I wait a few moments before repeating the sound.
The balmy breeze floats across my face, drying the sweat that’s formed in my hairline.
A sudden soft caw has me bringing my face back inside to allow enough room for Oak to enter.
Her white feathers match the moons' light. She turns her head to me as I swiftly tie the note to the leather band around her leg. I run my fingers through her silky feathers and scratch the top of her head affectionately. She lets me preen her feathers for a few moments before I whistle again at her, signaling her to leave and find the rest of The Hidden.
Now, there’s nothing to do but wait. I walk to the bed and sit down on it, letting the soft cushion of the mattress settle with my weight on the corner.
I close my eyes, ready to be back somewhere that doesn’t feel like I am in a serpent's nest waiting to be struck.
I’m not sure how long I sit there, but eventually I lay down onto a pillow trying to get more comfortable as I wait for Kassiel’s knock on the door that will signal our departure.
I begin to doze off with the exhaustion from the trip to Ezmelir, and the facade of Lady Orlah, wearing on me.
It’s not long before I fall asleep, waiting for Kassiel’s signal as apprehension begins to coil in my heart.
