“The only people I’ve ever hated were my father and Meriam. I’m indifferent to most everyone else and love few.”
Oddly enough, after the wash of anger, it’s pity that I feel. Pity that her father’s flame penetrated her rib cage and charred her heart.
My stomach spasms. Gods, I’m not sure I’ll be able to wait for Syb to get here. I am ravenous. So much so that I feel somewhat queasy. And hot. Very hot. I untie the ribbon around my neck to allow more cool air to touch my skin.
Worry slams into me because Nonna’s drink hadn’t made my veins feel ablaze. “What have you given me?”
“Lazarus made the infusion. You may be having an allergic reaction. It’ll pass.”
“Are you trying to poison me?”
“Don’t be daft, Fallon. You’re the reason my mate is home. You’re the reason the Crows have risen. You’re the key to breaking Lore’s curse. Here. Hand me your cup.”
Still not entirely reassured, I give it to her. “It’s empty.”
She sticks her fingers inside to scoop up the renegade droplets, then sticks them in her mouth and sucks. “See?”
“That you haven’t dropped dead, yes. Then again you had a sip and I had an entire cup.”
“Poison is poison. A droplet and one’s dead. Once you eat, you’ll feel better.” She pushes a basket of bread my way. When I don’t pinch a roll out, she sighs and reaches for my hand as though sensing exactly where it lies. “Fallon, I know I’m not the aunt of your dreams.”
She can say that again.
“But I respect and love both Lore and Cathal like brothers. I wouldneverharm you because it would harm them.”
Even though my stomach squirms and my body temperature still rises, I relent and select a dark, miniature loaf, which I wolf down. As promised, I start to feel better.
“Will you return your, um,giftafter all this is done?”
Bronwen’s mouth eases into a ghost of a smile. “Yes. I will shed both the cloak upon my eyes and skin to be reborn anew in the Cauldron. With wings this time.”
My heart hiccups. “The Cauldron can really do that?”
“The Cauldron gave life to every being on this Earth, Fallon.”
A rush of floral fragrance hits my nose as Sybille, black spirals tamed into sleek waves that brush her shoulders, sinks onto the bench beside me. “Hello, Bronwen.”
“Sybille.” She nods, as she presses herself to standing. “I’ll see you later, Fallon.”
To think that someday, she truly willseeme.
Syb trails Bronwen with her eyes. The woman moves with such grace that I wonder how I ever mistook her for a human.
“So, what have I missed?”
So many things, Syb. So many things.
I tell her what Bronwen said about the Cauldron.
Syb’s irises glitter. “So I could ask it to make my ears pointy?”
“Maybe.” I try to ask Lorcan through the bond, but he must be busy because he doesn’t answer me.
At some point, Phoebus arrives. Although he sits at our table, his gaze almost never wavers off the barkeep.
“How’s that going?”
My friend snags his lip. “I’m trying to get him to come to the Baths, but the man prefers showering in his room.”
