“You got that right,” Roane says, turning his attention to me. “An empty tomb.”
“And the reason you’re standing here is…?”
“I love empty tombs, don’t you? Much better than filled ones.”
“Haha,” I say drily. “And now the real reason?”
“It’s a nice tomb. I’m reserving it for myself when my time comes.” His mouth stretches into a sharp, mirthless grin. “Then I won’t have to dig one out. That thought gives me great pleasure.”
“And again, the truth might be nice.”
He shakes his head, gathering his long dark hair to his nape. I find myself staring at his long fingers twined in that fall of night-black, the way they twist the rope of hair into a bun and secure it with a… knife?
I blink.
Then I quickly look away before he catches me staring. It’s hard to avoid looking, dammit. He hurts my eyes like a bright light.
“So this is where you met Ardruna as a pup,” I say.
“She was never a pup. She popped into life fully armed and growling.”
Ardruna sighs. “She wants to know where I came from, Ro. Do you have any idea? Did I slip through a crack in the cavern walls and found this place?”
“It’s none of her business.” Roane gets off his knees and I think I catch a wince on his face. “I told her not to poke her nose where it doesn’t belong.”
“That’s harsh,” Ardruna says. “Besides, I would also like to know where I came from.”
“You never cared about it until she started asking questions.”
“And what’s your problem with questions?” I ask. “Unless you have something to hide.”
He laughs. It’s not a pleasant laugh. “Now moving on to accusations, I see. What would I have to hide?”
“I don’t know, Ersil, warrior librarian,” I mutter. “You’re so transparent and forthcoming with information when one asks, aren’t you?”
“While you came here to deliver a book and chose not to do so for undisclosed reasons,” he snaps.
With a huff, I turn away. “I’m going to find those herbs.”
“What fucking herbs?” he grouses.
“She came out of the library to gather edible herbs,” Ardruna says quietly.
“And you let her. She’s leading you by the nose.”
“Gods, Ro, you’re insufferable today. If you missed out on sleep, go home and rest.”
“You’re not my mother, lioness.”
“No, your mother would have boxed your ears and kicked your ass for behaving like a brat.”
He makes no reply. As for me, I set off and as I walk out of the cemetery, I find myself grinning.
“Aline,” Ardruna calls out, “wait up! Show me those herbs. I want to learn more about this world.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather stick by your sullen friend?”
“He can find his own way home.”
