“What was that about?” Layken asked, looking at her distraught expression.
“Do you care?” She’d drained all her energy.
“Not really, but you look like you’re about to lose your mind and I’d rather you didn’t.”
“Sorry that I actually care about people,” she shot back.
“Caring is a dangerous game.”
That got her attention. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Layken remained stoic, a picture-perfect guard. “Anyone you care about can be used against you. If you truly cared, you would stay away from them.”
Lora squinted at him. “Rhay is a friend, and it’s none of your business.”
“I am guarding your room, so that does make it my business whichguestsyou invite in.” His eyes bore into her.
Lora’s breathing quickened. He’d saidguests.Plural. Did he know about Eyden sneaking in?
“Just a bit of advice,” Layken added nonchalantly.
“I’m assuming you don’t have anyone then?” Lora asked, feeling uneasy.
“No one will get hurt because of me.”
“So you’ve never loved anyone?” He must have had a family, friends, a life before coming to the palace, before working for Karwyn. Were they all dead, or did he simply not care? How could a person stop caring altogether?
“It’s in the past. No one can be used against me.” He said it as if he was proud of it. Not that long ago, Lora had had the same thought. Push everyone away, don’t let them get hurt. It hadn’t been right. It hadn’t beenpossible.
“Sounds lonely to me,” she observed.
“I have my career.”
Lora almost laughed. “Right. The loyal guard. You can berealproud about that.”
“Don’t pretend to know anything about me, Adelway.” Layken’s eye twitched. “Youdon’t.”
He threw the door shut behind him as he left her with more than one question. The only thing Lora knew for sure was that he wasn’t an ally. Layken was too far gone. But there was still a chance for Rhay.
Chapter58
Rhay
After his conversation with Lora, Rhay could not get himself out of bed. A now empty shiny blood-red flask was in his hand. He had finished all the liquor he had stashed in his room. If he wanted to keep drowning himself in booze, he’d have to leave the carefully designed safe place that was his bedroom. But was it even Rhay’s room? It was only his because Karwyn had decided so. Could Rhay give it all up and walk away?
Lora was right. He knew he had to make a choice. But he had everything to lose on both ends. Lora had said that leaving wasn’t an option. But for Rhay, it was the only solution that didn’t result in fully betraying Karwyn. Going to see Lora, Rhay had hoped to apologise and clear his conscience, but she had refused to give him any peace of mind. He didn’t deserve it anyway.
If he betrayed Karwyn, even he wouldn’t be safe anymore. One way or another, he would have to leave his life here behind. But where would he go? Rhay had nothing to his name and no friends to rely on. He shut his eyes, cursing through his breath.
Rhay truly wished he’d never met Karwyn. Or Amira. Or Lora. Rhay was torn in all directions, unable to decide on anything but his next drink. It was one thing toseewhat was happening and another to trulyacton it.
Rolling to his side, Rhay painfully stood up from his bed. The whole room moved, but it didn’t stop him from walking to the door. He knew he could find some alcohol in the kitchen.
Stumbling out of his room, he had no care for the concerned looks of the servants passing by. Rhay wanted to scream at them.Do you know who you’re working for?
His ears caught a part of a conversation between two servants. “...the king hasn’t even visited his fiancée since her return.”
Rhay’s heart stilled in his chest, momentarily clearing his dazed mind. Amira was back. He needed to know if she was okay, if her secret was safe.
