“Well done! You’re a natural!”
Morgan grinned. She loved magic. It felt as if this was the thing she was meant to do all her life. Her true calling, and she knew she was damn good at it.
Chapter 21
Avery
Avery woke to light streaming into the room she shared with Savine. She didn’t see him anywhere, but wasn’t surprised either. He had to be busy, and returned to work after it was obvious Avery was going to be okay. She had no idea how long she’d slept either, but she felt refreshed and strong.
The wood floors were warm under her bare feet as she made her way to the door. Rue stood guard next to another guard and Avery invited her in.
“I’m relieved to see you up and moving around, Avery,” Rue said as she sat down beside Avery. There were two linen chairsin the sitting room that led to Savine and Avery’s bedroom, and further back, their bathroom.
“Thank you. I didn’t mean to sleep so much, but I think my body needed rest. I’m feeling a lot better now.”
“Do you need anything to eat? I could have something brought up.”
Avery shook her head. “No, I just wanted to see you. How have you been since we got to Orofine?”
Her smile was sad. “I’m adjusting. It’s a lot to take in. My folk never lived in the capital city. We were nomadic, so I’ve never experienced just how busy Orofine and the King’s Residence are. I think I’m falling into my new role as best as I can, and I’m honored that Savine appointed me to lead your guards.”
“I was wondering if he would. I’m glad he did too. There’s nobody else I trust like you, Rue.”
Rue’s face lit up. “That means a lot to me, Avery. We went through so much together, and I trust you too.”
The mention of their past made Avery think of her sister, Susan, and all the pain she’d experienced at the Towers. Being forced to kill Weston in a cave, having to live with that guilt everyday was a burden she knew would never ease. “Yeah, we have. Do you know if Weston had a family? Are they here?”
Rue shook her head, taking her time to answer. “From what I recall, he didn’t have a soulmate. Not surprising, I think he’s only around Kyla’s age. But, he did have a family. I think a mated mother and father, and an adolescent brother. His father fought for the rebels, but I haven’t seen him at the King’s Residence. I know some warriors stayed behind in Bayberry. Perhaps they chose to not return to Orofine.”
Avery’s chest tightened. “I want to apologize to them. I never wanted to hurt anybody, and I can still feel Weston’s blood on my hands. Sometimes I wonder if the sensation will ever wash away.”
Rue moved to Avery’s side and wrapped her arms around her, tugging Avery into a tight embrace that made Avery bury her face in her friend’s shoulder. She didn’t hold back the tears as she cried for Weston, letting herself mourn the man whose life she’d been forced to take.
Rue’s voice shook as she said, “I don’t think I can ever forgive Rylo for doing that to you and Weston. It was monstrous and it still haunts me.”
Avery pulled back from Rue’s embrace. Her eyes glistened with tears, springy curls framing her tear stained cheeks. “I’ll never forget his sacrifice. You’re here with me now because of that. I never got a chance to ask how Susan handled it.”
“We helped each other through the nightmares.” Rue sighed, and it seemed she was reliving her own experience. “She’s so strong. I know Selene will keep an eye on her, but it hurts knowing she’s not with me.”
Avery felt taken aback for a moment. She couldn’t imagine Selene ever doing anything to keep Susan safe. “Do you know a different Selene at the Towers, or are we talking about the same Sage?”
Rue shrugged. “You have reason to hate her. What she did to us was wrong, and how she tormented Savine is unforgivable, but there’s more to her than she lets others see. She got to know us, and I even think she protected us from the chaos at Jasper’s death. I kind of miss her company.”
Avery tried to hide the grimace that she was forming. “I’m glad you saw another side of her.”
Rue gave her a friendly push on the shoulder. “You’re terrible at hiding your true thoughts, Avery. Even if you can lie. It’s okay though. I understand why you don’t like her.”
Savine walked into the room at that moment. He carried some wrapped packages in his hand. “I knew Rue would join you as soon as you woke, so I brought enough of these honeyed cakesfor both of you. A baker from Orofine brought them specifically for you, Little Flower. Word of your attack has reached the city, and you’re receiving sympathy and well wishes, now that all of Latiah understands you’re my soulmate.”
Savine
“How did you know my love language was food? You perfect, perfect man,” Avery said with a wide smile.
She was teasing him, but still his wretched heart buckled against his ribs. Nobody had ever said those words to him, and they still came as a shock to him that Avery loved him—truly loved him for who he was.
Avery and Rue both took a sweet cake from the package and bit into them, honey smearing across both women’s lips. A knock brought their attention to the door, and Savine went to answer it.
“I don’t mean to disturb you, My King,” Darby said.
