“What?” I asked quickly, turning fully on shaking legs. “But why?”
“I’m needed in Salaire,” he answered. “You should know so you don’t wonder. I’ll be back in a few nights. I’ll come find you when I return.”
My lips parted. But after one last look, Kaldur was already turning away.
“Kaldur,” I said quickly.
He paused down the alley.
“Be safe, all right?” I told him.
His silver eyes peered at me carefully. “It’s not your place to worry about me, remember?”
The dismissive words made me draw in a sharp breath.
Then he was gone. And I felt confused and alone in that empty courtyard. The last of my tea, I saw, had spilled all over the ground.
A waste,I thought, feeling tears spring to my eyes. But they had nothing to do with the tea at all.
CHAPTER 18
ERINA
To help pass the time, I wrote two letters in the three days that Kaldur was gone.
One to Luc, again though I told him nothing of my new arrangement with theKyzaireof Vyaan. The other letter was to Syndras, asking her if I could visit soon. She was particular about her schedule, and while I knew she would welcome me any time in her House, I didn’t want to impose unnecessarily. I had a lot of time these days, and I couldn’t spend it all within the gardens.
On the third night, I was eagerly awaiting Kaldur’s return, overhearing Maudoric tell one of the keepers that she’d received word he was on his way back home. I was freshly bathed, made sure to take mybaanye, and put on my nicest dress, one of light material that was open at the neck. I worried though, especially when rain began to pelt against the windows, thick drops that never seemed to cease.
And then I waited in my quarters. I took to reading to pass the time and to calm my nerves, having borrowed a few books from the library. I’d tried to use the Halo orb to project the landscapes from the book Kaldur had showed me, but I couldn’tfigure out how. I mentally reminded myself to ask him when we had a spare moment.
Mostly, I was nervous about our reunion. About what mood he might be in. Our parting had felt so cold and strange. But I’d reasoned that whatever had called him away to Salaire must’ve been on his mind. I had no idea of the stresses and obligations that rested on aKyzaire’s shoulders. I couldn’t even begin to fathom it, so I endeavored to put that last interaction out of my mind. To start new again, like a fresh dawn.
Peering outside my window at the bright moon, my breath hitched when I saw a familiar figure illuminated in the rainy night sky. It was late, and he’d returned. I felt relief when I saw him land on his balcony and enter his rooms.
Only, an hour or so ticked by and Kaldur never came.
Taking a deep breath, I ventured out of room. Perhaps he thought I wasn’t awake. Perhaps he didn’t want to disturb me, but he must’ve seen that I’d kept my light on.
Even though I’d never been so bold, I went slowly to his door and swallowed hard before I knocked. I thought he would be able to hear my thumping heart even though the thick wood of his door.
It didn’t take long before he answered.
His expression was unreadable when he wordlessly stepped back to allow me to enter. His room was familiar—he’d brought me here after the first feeding, after all. But the male in front of me felt like a stranger.
He closed the door, and when I turned, I saw him resting his forehead briefly on the wood, as if composing himself.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Stop asking me that,” he growled.
Bad mood, then,I thought, biting my lip.
Finally, he turned. He was freshly bathed and dressed in loose pants and a dark blue tunic that molded to his chest. His feet were bare, his wings stretched. Even comfortable, he lookedperfectly refined and presentable should a noble drop by at such a late hour.
Brushing past me, he went to a glittering bottle of amber liquid resting on a lacquered black sideboard, unstoppering the cap before pouring it into a crystal tumbler. From working in wealthy Houses before, I knew it was a potent liquor, imported from some planet I didn’t bother to remember, and it often flowed at parties, coupled with the silver smoke oflore.
As if he read my mind, he informed me, without turning, “I was about to smoke, so you shouldn’t be here.”
