Sky hesitated. “She’ll be okay.” Even someone without ears could hear how forced the lie was. “She’s stronger than everyone gives her credit for, you should’ve seen her today.”
“You were with her?” My statement was an accusation as I found an alternative target to secure my blame on.
“Partly, I told her to get home, and she started to, but for some reason she returned.” She tapped a finger on the doorframe. “But she kicked an Avernus witch's ass … or at least bashed her head in.”
“You are going to tell me every last detail,” I snarled.
With my backagainst the headboard, I sat on the bed with my legs extended out in front of me. The fire had died down temporarily, and though my body relished the relief, Audyn's perked nipples alerted that I’d let the temperature drop too low.With cramped hands, I hauled more logs into the fire and removed everything but my sleep shorts.
The morning sun rose, providing more light than I liked. I let the drapes down from the corded ropes holding them back. There wasn’t much I could do about the skylights, but I would block the light with a blanket all day if needed.
I grabbed the small book of stories I’d found in her room when I went to gather her nightdress earlier. The moment Micah gave the go-ahead, I would have her clothed and covered. It didn’t feel right to keep her laid out without having her permission to do so. I read to her, just as my mother had for me on particularly challenging nights.
“Col,” Micah said, tapping lightly on the doorframe.
I pulled back the sheet I’d hung.
“I see she must be awake and feeling well,” he said sarcastically as he scanned my near-naked body.
“She’s not,” I said matter-of-factly, not in any mood to play.
“Dolcie’s here, like you requested, and she brought Edithiya with her,” he said. “That kid has too much energy this early in the morning.”
“I’ll be down.” I turned to let the sheet hang, but he caught it in his hand.
“There’s more … another seep has stalled, and someone was seen near it. It was on the northern ridge, so by the time the guard was notified, they were already flying away,” he continued. “A witch.”
“The Avernus coven returned?” I shook my head. They weren’t going to relent.
“No.” He looked away, his voice so soft I thought I misheard. “Graystorm witches.”
I flinched. “Why would Thalion’s coven be tampering with our seeps?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know, but it makes sense now, doesn’tit? Or at least part of it—they know the locations of our seeps. Your father must’ve told them.”
Threats from the Oras were something each of the kingdoms lived with, but witches from my own lineage causing harm was unexpected. We’d left them alone, yet they couldn’t do the same for us.
Throwing on clothes, I hesitated and looked over at Audryn. Her face seemed pained despite her deep slumber. I placed a kiss on her forehead and spared one last glance before stepping out.
“Col!” Edithiya ran at me with her arms extended as I scooped her up. “You kept us safe! Audryn said you would.”
“Oh, she did, huh?” My chest ached as I set the girl down. “What else did she tell you?”
“Your girlfriend brought Edith home when the attack happened,” Dolcie interrupted. “Tell her thank you.” Her sentiment wasn’t filled with gratitude, but contempt.
“I’ll let you thank her yourself.” I cocked my head and didn’t correct the label she’d given Audryn. “What happened yesterday? I’m still piecing everything together.”
She pursed her lips, shook her head, and shrugged.
Amalee cleared her throat.
“Well?” I threw out a hand at Dolcie. I might share mutual respect with every person in Kuroden, but it wouldn’t extend to those who intentionally withheld pertinent information.
“You should never have brought her here. It’s been almost a year since we were last attacked. Then she’s here, and the capital is in chaos.” The woman twirled a lock of yellow hair around her finger.
“Yesterday had nothing to do with Audryn. If anything, it sounds like she went out of her way to help Edithiya inyourabsence.”
“Oh, I’m not saying she didn’t.” She stepped forward and rana finger across the top of my chest. “But we all know the real hero here is you.”
