An hour later, Fisher found me with my back against a bookcase and my nose in a book. I’d spent too much time browsing and would need to meet Ryder soon. We rushed from the library and toward my room, but Roark stepped away from the corridor wall, blocking me. Shifting on his feet, he glanced between Fisher and me.
“Was there something you needed?” I narrowed my gaze on the man.
Bending down, he pulled back the flowing drapes and picked up a navy leather-bound book. “This was uhm … this was left.” He looked between Fisher and me once more. “This is yours.” Roark dropped the book onto the stack I was carrying.
“Thank you?” I mumbled and walked down the hall to my room.
“What was that?” Fisher looked over my shoulder at the book on top.
“I don’t know, he’s an odd man. One can never tell just what’s going on in his mind.” I pushed open the door to my room.
“No, what book is?—”
I shut the door before he could finish. Had Jaspar sent me a message? No, a royal guard would never allow communication from an outsider, especially one that was surely on a resistance watchlist. I inspected the room, making sure there wasn’t anyone hiding inside. Then I locked both the main door and the one leading to the bathing room.
The leather cover was wordless, offering no indication of its contents. I flipped the book open, letting the cover flex gently.My eyes landed on the first page:Time and Distance: Atlantis. What in the Divine? A small note slipped out as I turned the page. The paper swayed side to side as it dropped to the floor.
The handwriting was messy; it clearly hadn’t come from a scribe of the Suttons.
For your father. May another sort of adventure bring him joy.
-C
Had King Grave hidden his name to keep his identity safe? With shaking fingers, I flipped through the pages quickly, unable to let my eyes truly land. An unfamiliar map was sketched at the back. It wasn’t a depiction of Crofea or the Oras, it was something different altogether.
A knock boomed against the door, followed by Fisher's stern voice. “We are officially late. Let’s go.”
26
AUDRYN
We rushed to the foyer and found Ryder speaking with Allura. Leanna stood at his side while Maris hung back from the three. Dressed in jewel-toned gowns, the women looked like they had coordinated. Two tall, outwardly curved horns, crafted from Leanna’s black hair, sat atop her head. I chewed on my lip, trying not to laugh, and urged my mind to think of something else. Anything else.
Maris’s foot tapped impatiently on the floor while she scowled at me. In her hand, she twirled a long brush, while a box of paints sat on the stone floor beside her feet.
Allura fidgeted with her nails and kept her red-ringed eyes trained on the floor; she’d been crying.
A slow, closed-mouth smile drew over Ryder’s face as our gazes locked. Lately, my stomach seemed to tumble in his presence more often than not. It was startling every time it happened.
“Do you two need a moment …” Leanna said, looking between us, “alone, perhaps?”
Ryder flicked his eyes to his sister. “No.” He turned back tome. “Allura is leaving today, so we’re saying goodbye and wishing her well.”
“Oh.” I looked back at the woman. She’d poured herself into the most brilliant day dress, not knowing she’d be going home. He should’ve sent Maris home instead.
“I’m sorry to see you go.” I bit the inside of my cheek.
“Are you though?” Maris chirped at me.
“We’re all sorry,” Leanna interjected, giving Maris a scowl before turning her attention back to Allura. “But as each of you know, there can only be one my brother weds, and we must continue on.” Her tone was soft, but stern.
Allura nodded, the disappointment on her face remained at the forefront despite her manners.
I looked to Ryder, who’d kept his sights on me. He extended a hand out and I stepped forward, taking it; I couldn’t get enough physical contact from him. Though the affection made those around us uncomfortable, I no longer cared.
“I’ll be painting.” Maris feigned a yawn before walking away.
Not waiting for Allura to leave, Ryder pulled me through the front door to an awaiting carriage. When he’d appeared at the market, I hadn’t seen how he’d gotten there, nor given much thought to it. Whatever I could’ve imagined wouldn’t have prepared me for what stood before us.
