“Fine, but with a fall like that, something’s probably messed up.” My friend stood and shook his head. “Aside from whatever’s already fucked with your head.”
“Hey!” I snapped in his direction.
Audryn pushed onto her elbows before rolling onto her knees and attempted to take several breaths while hunched on her hands. She was hurt; it was written all over her face, but there was little anyone could do unless she wanted help. Still gasping, she finally conceded.
“Do what you need to,” she rasped, “but never touch me again without asking first.”
If she could only say the same to her prince. Given her stubborn nature, others might’ve struggled to see why she let Ryder put his hands on her. But I understood it. A woman losing herself to someone with authority wasn’t unusual; I’d witnessed it firsthand.
“Sure, but just so you know, you’re the first to push these hands away.” My friend wiggled his fingers and blew away a brown strand of hair from his eyes. “Some say they’re magic all on their own.”
I groaned.
Micah’s tone turned serious. “I’m going to place my hand against your abdomen when you’re ready, and see what’s going on. Tell me when.”
Audryn nodded while still on all fours.
Her eyes met mine, and I looked away; feeling like I had somehow overstepped during a vulnerable moment. I retreated to the porch and sat on the top step.
I couldn’t be sure how much time had passed as I tried to think of anything other than my friend and Audryn on the ground a couple dozen feet away. Dealing with the seeps was my main priority, but there was so much more at stake. I’d need to prioritize the crude first and then work to solve the other issues with the time I had left. A month probably wouldn’t be enough, but I had to try.
Their laughter drew me from my thoughts as the two of them approached the porch, both wearing the same ridiculous smile as the other. He’d probably told a dumb joke, and she’d likely eaten it up. For reasons I couldn’t even begin to understand, Micah’s sense of humor always landed well with women.
“She’s as good as new, or at least I think so since I wasn’t properly introduced to begin with.” Micah glared in my direction. “Should I be worried you have other women locked away in there?” He flicked his chin toward the townhouse. “Maybe I should stay longer in case there are others escaping?”
I rolled my eyes and then looked at Audryn, her brown hair dancing in the breeze. “You’re not a prisoner here.”
She bit a lip and looked away.
“Anywhere you’d like to go, you’re free to. Either on your own or I can accompany you.” I exhaled. “Just stay out of Amalee’s room—that’s the only exception.”
“Her girlfriend might challenge you to a fight if she finds you in there,” Micah added, “or do something weird with her magic—that shit’s scary.”
“I’d like to see Sky try.” I narrowed my eyes at him as if he was the one who’d threatened my guest. “She’ll quickly find herself hanged in the town square the minute she takes one step toward Audryn.”
“Whoa, whoa, calm down.” He raised his hands. “It was just a joke. Though you might want to let Sky know thatyou’rethe one interested in her instead of Amalee. Sooner the be?—”
“I’m betrothed to the Prince of Rivale,” Audryn interjected. “King Grave has no interest in me.”
“If you say so.” Micah kicked at the gravel. “Clearly, I’m the only one with working eyes around here.”
“Let’s talk tomorrow.” I feigned boredom.
“Yup.” He turned and smiled at Audryn. “Let me know if you need a tour. I’d be more than happy to escort you during your stay. And since your prince is two days away and Col has ‘zero interest’,” he said wrapping two finger quotes around the words, “it would be my pleasure, Princess.” He mocked a bow.
“Micah!” I raised my voice, and he shrugged before meandering to his townhouse next door.
“Col?” Audryn asked. “Why have people been calling you that?”
I ignored her question and stepped down to meet her. “Was there a reason you didn’t use the door? Did I somehow give you the impression you needed to sneak out?”
After dinner, I’d brought her back to the house and showed her straight to her room. I figured she would’ve been too tired to want to see the rest of the placeorthe area. I assigned Fisher the room across from hers to put her at ease, but that clearly hadn’t helped.
She eyed me carefully before turning away and looking up at the blanket of stars. “Everything is so much clearer here.”
“You should see it from the peak.” I eyed the inky void.
“Show me?” Her hazel eyes fell on me.
