No, we’re not upset that Kalos has no temple in Eagleton.
No, I don’t need new dresses or shoes from them. No, we don’t need coin.
Our hostess is so gracious and sweet and concerned for our well-being that I don’t realize just how much I’m eating until another priestess clears away the now-empty trays. I lick my fingers clean and finish the last of the wine, my stomach hurting from being pleasantly full. “That was marvelous. Thank you so much.”
“But of course. We are honored to serve someone chosen by the gods.” She gestures that another person should enter, and this time it’s a young priestess with a rose-petal-strewn fingerbowl and towels.
I wash my hands in the bowl, yawning at how sleepy I am now.
“May I ask another question, if it pleases you both?” Priestess Alithia asks. “I do hate to pry but I cannot help but be curious. What are your plans?”
“Plans?” I ask, stifling another yawn.
She nods, gaze curious. “Once you’ve completed your great book. What will you do next? Do you intend to wait out the Anticipation? Or will you confront my lord Kalos’s missing aspects?”
I go blank. That’s something I’ve tried not to think about too much. If I tell her that we’re just relaxing and enjoying ourselves, is she going to pass that information on to someone else? Suddenly I feel like everything I’ve said today is a trap. I’ve let my guard down over good food and a smiling priestess. “Um…”
“Do you really think that I would tellhermy plans?” Kalos says, speaking up. His voice is absolutely withering. “Oryou?”
Priestess Alithia looks absolutely mortified. She shoots me an uncomfortable look and gets to her feet. “My apologies for the questions of a foolish mortal. I know it’s not my business?—”
Kalos interrupts. “No, it’s not.”
Oof. I felt that one in my bones. I know he’s saying this for her benefit, but I feel guilty all the same. How many times have I been the one subject to that cutting tone of his? I give her a smile of apology and mouth “Apathy” as if that explains everything.
“I’ll just see about getting that book for you,” she says, smoothing her skirts. She puts her shoulders back and lifts her chin with as much dignity as she can muster and exits the room.
I get to my feet, anxious, and start pacing. “Do you think this was a mistake?”
“In what way?”
His tone is tired, and I wonder if it’s more pretending or if he’s about to enter another fugue state. God, the timing is terrible, but it’s my own fault for venturing so far from Omos’s safe little sanctuary. I move to his side and caress his face. “Are you all right? Do you need a break? We can find a room at an inn if you don’t want to stay here or sneak into a stable.”
“I’ll manage. I’m just…weary.” He manages a small smile for me and presses a kiss to my palm. “As for if I think this was a mistake to come, no more than anything else. Staying in one place is just as dangerous as visiting new ones.” He reaches up and puts a hand at my waist, pulling me close and resting his head on my breasts.
Oh yeah, a fugue is coming. I push away the little tingle of panic in my brain and focus on him instead, because he’s miserable and fighting it for my sake. I run my fingers through his hair. I glance over at the door, hoping that the priestess returns soon.
She doesn’t, though.
The minutes tick past and there’s no sign of anyone returning. I let Kalos hold me for a while, and he slips into a fugue state, staring straight ahead, eyes focused on nothing. I straighten him in his chair, folding his hands in his lap and making sure he’s comfortable. He’s in there, but I know from experience, he’s sunk deep inside himself. We’re not going anywhere today. When Alithia returns, I’ll have to explain to her that we need to stay here overnight.
I head to the door of the small room. Maybe I can flag someone down as they pass by and let them know to find Alithia.
When I try the door, however, it’s locked.
Well…fuck.
Chapter
Thirty-Eight
Ipace the room. The large, airy window is no good, because if I climbed out, I’d have to jump at least fifty feet. The door lock isn’t like one I’m familiar with, and I don’t have anything small enough to try to pick it. Not that any of this matters, because I can’t—and won’t—leave Kalos’s side. I search for weapons, but when they cleared the tray, they took the utensils. All that’s here is a pitcher of water, a wooden cup, a god in a trance, and a very, very foolish-feeling human Anchor.
How did I not see this coming?
We’ve been too relaxed at Omos’s home. It’s made me forget that the end goal is to get rid of us. That everyone’s secretly waiting for me to die so Kalos can return to his plane and one more Aspect will be removed from the mortal realm.
I take the pitcher by the handle and pace as I clutch it tight. I’m going to club someone over the head with this if they try anything. As I pace, I pause every now and then to caress Kalos, to kiss his cheek or brush a finger along the curve of his ear. Iwant to remind him that I’m here with him, even if he’s not mentally here with me. He’s not alone.
