‘I know the best way to sort out this new wife of yours, boy,’ Glesni said, a wicked grin on her face.
‘Really?’
‘Hmm. All you’ve got to do is get her in bed and?—’
‘I’ll brew a batch now, Matthias. Thanks for getting this. My ginger stores are non-existent at the moment. And what aboutyourheadaches?’
He grimaced. ‘Comes with the job, I’m afraid, but please, if you could make some for me too, I’d be eternally grateful.’
I took him in, trying to ignore the swirls. As he closed his eyes, his long lashes brushed the dark shadows beneath them. I tilted my head, blinking away the spots, my heart sinking at the man breaking under the pressures of his office. I was still his friend. His wife. Perhaps we should talk?
Matthias locked his gaze with mine. I looked away, praying he failed to notice how my cheeks burned.
‘Asher sent a note. Told me how the duke glued himself to your side. I felt guilty and thought I’d come rescue you.’
I smoothed down my dress, scowling at the still damp patch where I’d spilt the mead. ‘I don’t need rescuing, thank you, but I’d appreciate someone else to distract me before my fist accidentally collides with his face. I think he plans to seduce me himself in order to demonstrate the cracks in our marriage.’
‘Cracks,’ Glesni muttered under her breath, chuckling away to herself.
I needed to get Matthias out of this room before the damned woman said something.
Matthias grimaced. I stepped back, my chair scraping on the tiles.
‘Perhaps we should go and get ready,’ I said. ‘There’s to be another dinner tonight and I don’t think I can afford to drink another three bottles of wine.’
He barked out a laugh, then offered his arm. I stared at it for a moment; my fingers twitched, ready to reach out, hold him. I shook my head, pretending I didn’t see the disappointmentdance in his eyes. Pablo took his usual place by my side. Thanking Keya, Matthias grabbed his coat and laid it over the arm he’d offered as we left.
‘Don’t forget my advice,’ Glesni called, the sound of her laughter following me down the hall.
‘What advice would that be?’ Matthias asked.
I swallowed, refusing to look his way. ‘Get plenty of sleep.’
Another bark of muted laughter came from Glesni’s rooms. Damned woman.
CHAPTER 18
Vyrus unleashed a storm unlike any Eusis had ever seen. His meteor lay in ruins, scattered across the surface of Evella’s beloved planet. ‘You will mutilate my world at your peril,’ she cried. With a wave of her hand, she called forth all she loved about her precious planet; the joy, the love, even the grief, embedding it within the poisonous shards Vyrus had sent. ‘Your curse will save them. Those whom I deem worthy, shall be blessed by the splinters. They shall rise above all others, gifted, extraordinary, potent and mighty. They shall keep my planet burning till the final star stutters and infinity dies.’
— THE HISTORIES AND PROPHECIES OF THE STAR-CROSSED GODS: CHRONICLES OF VYRUS
Even the spicy scent of ginger wasn’t enough to soothe the tense grip I maintained on the mug as I sat alone in my chambers. I’d drawn my curtains against the bright autumn afternoon, but the current headache making my eyes water wasn’t the result of too much wine. Earlier that morning, for a few fleeting heartbeats,I’d believed the mouse listened and obeyed my command. But then, my blood had splattered on the table, shocking the mouse who scurried away. Pablo hadn’t even chased after it. He’d whined, nuzzled my cheek as I wiped dark crimson streaks from my nose. My hand shaking, I looked up to see Glesni’s tight-lipped scowl.
That had been two hours ago, and the headache had worsened with every passing second. A raging storm of nausea churned. What if this was it? What if I’d left the training too late and the blight had burrowed deeper into the tissue of my mind? I stared at my nails, wondering if I’d bitten them short enough to prevent me gouging the flesh from others when the time came.
Throwing back the cup and draining the last of the ginger tea, I summoned Pablo. If time was indeed running out, then there was little point hiding away to wallow in self-pity. Not when there had been another sighting of a ship off the coast of Asmar. It wasn’t only me who was running out of time. With extra Vyrium we’d have stronger weapons, a better chance of keeping Carush at bay.
And we’d have the upper hand over Drufaera for once.
Groaning, I opened the door and headed towards the library. The corridor swirled. I reached out, crying as I collided with a short plinth, my thigh burning with the impact. A vase of white lilies rolled. I hissed as they slipped past my fingers.
‘Got them.’ Ifan stood before me, stilling the vase.
I winced as his scowl wavered. Gods, I struggled to focus.
‘You need to look where you’re going.’
I rubbed my already bruising leg.
