“I have a feel for?—”
“Stories. Yes, you have said so.”
“You don’t believe me,” I breathe.
“I don’t believe you understand the gravity of the situation. You’re letting a dangerous book manipulate you. It should have already been bound and locked away.”
“Not yet.” I force myself to move. “Let’s go inside before Roane shuts us out of the building.”
“He’d never do that.”
“That pedestal you put him on is kind of high, don’t you think?”
“You don’t know him,” Ardruna says.
“No, I only know he throws tantrums like a child, likes to order people about and glares instead of communicating.”
“If that’s how you feel,” Ardruna says stiffly, walking ahead. “It appears you don’t like us very much.”
Uh-oh.Now I’ve gone and insulted her. “Wait…”
“We’ve only rescued you, fed you, dressed you and kept you alive in this crazy world since you made the mistake of entering, but sure. Attack the man who rules this place, the one who took us under his wing, the one who risked his life several times already to save yours. If badmouthing him makes you feel better for your own shortcomings, then by all means, go ahead. Don’t let me stop you.”
Oh Gods…“Ardruna, wait!”
Talton flies out with a long whistle before we enter the temple. “There you are.”
“What happened?” I adjust the egg against my side. “Where is Roane?”
“He told me to fuck off.”
“In those exact words?”
“Sadly, yeah.”
“I told you he’s not being himself,” Ardruna mutters.
“Is that what it looks like to you?” I shake my head at her. “Since I arrived, he’s been ornery, but you two insist that normally he’s… what? A bright ray of light? The life of every festivity?”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Ardruna says.
“Well, good, or I’d think you’re crazy.”
“He’s usually quiet, but also polite and protective. He smiles and laughs a lot more, believe it or not.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” I grumble. “So now you’re saying I’m the cause of his bad mood?”
“That’s not what I said.”
Talton lands on Ardruna’s back. “Hasn’t he been nice to you, Aline?”
“He was… nice last night,” I grudgingly admit. “And this morning. Then he pushed me away and has been in a mood since.” I frown. “Do you think he’s sick? Maybe it’s a mental condition.”
“You’re joking.” Ardruna’s tail swishes back and forth in annoyance. “You think we wouldn’t have noticed if he was losing his marbles?”
“I don’t know.” I chew on my lower lip. “I mean, he said something about illusions.”
“Yeah,” she agrees, “he has mentioned them. Sometimes he becomes caught up in his past.”
