I stood, pulled in a deep breath, and smoothed my hair back. I’d had it plaited to the side in a fishtail braid.
As I went past the full-length mirror, I checked my reflection to make sure nothing in my expression gave me away.
It didn’t.
Satisfied, I slung my satchel over my shoulder, took one last look at the room that had been my prison, and opened the door.
Time to play the part of the resigned captive one last time.
I walked out onto the landing, and even though my heart was pounding in my throat, I kept going. Just like I’d promised myself I would.
I made it downstairs and headed to the dining room, where I found Sirril setting the table and Garrick already seated, absorbed in some sort of periodical, similar to the kind the papermen printed in Stormfell.
With another deep inhale, I slipped on my mask.
The moment I stepped into the dining room, Sirril noticed me, and a bright smile lit up his face.
“Good morning, my Lady. How lovely it is to see you,” he said, setting down a tray piled high with pastries that smelled impossibly good.
He met me halfway and reached for my hands, squeezing them with genuine warmth. I smiled down at him, but guilt gnawed at my insides.
Since I’d arrived, he’d taken it upon himself to look after me. I wasn’t sure how much he knew, but I suspected it was more than he let on. In my journal, I’d called himthe pacifier. He was playing that part again.
“Good morning, Sirril. It’s nice to see you,” I said, squeezing his hands too.
Pulling gently, he guided me toward the table. “Look,” he said proudly. “I made all your favorites.”
When I looked up, I met Garrick’s hopeful grin. He clearly had a hand in this, too.
“Come sit next to me.” Garrick nodded to the chair on his left.
“Sure,” I answered, adjusting the satchel slung at my side before lowering myself into the seat.
Both of them were watching me now.
“Would you like anything else, my Lady?” Sirril asked, clasping his hands.
“No, Sirril. This looks perfect.”
The table was overflowing with eggs, sausages, bacon, and all sorts of goodies. Enough food to feed ten.
“Wonderful!” He clapped. “I’ll make you that chocolate brew you enjoyed yesterday.”
“Thank you.”
He bustled away, leaving me alone with Garrick, who’d already set aside the paper he’d been reading and was studying me carefully.
“How are you holding up?” he asked, choosing his words with care.
I nodded, already prepared. “I’m… here. And I’ve decided that focusing on my training is definitely best.”
Relief flickered across his face. “I’m glad to hear that. Wolfe means well. The situation isn’t ideal but we’ll figure things out.”
“Yeah, sure. Where is Wolfe?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.
“He, Bastian, and Alaric left early.Business.”
Something inside my chest loosened.
