‘You seem to be under the delusion I need to be protected. From Danté. From the truth. That you can lie to me by omission.’ I jabbed a finger into his arm, and he winced. ‘You think you’re helping me or keeping me safe, when in fact you don’t get to make that decision. I get to make it.’
‘Sorrow, I?—’
‘I donotwant to hear this, Matthias.’ Pablo was at my side, and I grabbed him, leaving Matthias to the mess he’d made. ‘You’ve always been the same. You take on everyone’s battles as your own and act before they have the chance to do so themselves. I’ve never wanted to be saved. Never wanted to be beholden to another. If you’re not going to include me in what’s going on, then I seriously need to rethink whether or not I should stay here. Stay with you.’
His voice broke as he called my name. I stormed away, refusing to look back.
CHAPTER 20
It truly saddens me that within the space of a month, you’ve already reneged on our agreement. Not only have you insulted and violently attacked my emissary, but he confirms you’ve not yet made my stepdaughter – my Tribute – your wife. I’m afraid, Asmar, your actions have aroused my suspicions. This is an age of impending war. I require absolute trust in those who would call themselves my allies.
— LETTERS FROM KING ROMERO IV TO KING MATTHIAS
Glesni chuckled as I sucked the blood from the end of my finger, glaring at the tiny mouse.
‘You asked for that!’ she said to me, smiling as Keya kissed her cheek before grabbing her raincoat and slipping through the door, leaving us.
‘I can guarantee, I did not ask him to bite me.’
‘You’ve been in a foul temper for a week now,’ she said, passing Pablo a hunk of meat which he gulped down. ‘It’s onestep forward and ninety-three back with you, SorrowElmswood. You’re completely wound up. Coiled tightly. He’s picked up on it.’
I glowered at the mouse, who at least remained on the table, cleaning his ears and eyeing me warily.
‘You know, I can suggest something that’ll help relax a young bride?’
I was in no mood for the woman’s vulgar jokes today. I inclined my head, and the mouse focused on me, and with his nose twitching, approached the end of the table and offered me his paw, which I shook gently.
Glesni sighed and inclined her chin to the large window. ‘Storm’s brewing out there.’
I squinted through the panes to the leaden sky. It was certainly turning into a bruise.
‘Why the long face, child?’ The sudden softness to her tone caught me off guard.
‘He’s lied to me,’ I said, watching as the mouse ran up and down my arm.
‘What’s he done this time?’
I gave the mouse his free will back, and recalled the morning. Raised voices, slamming doors and Matthias’s desperate pleas that he only wanted to protect me. Keep me safe.
‘Romero sent a threatening letter.’ I brushed down my skirts and met Glesni’s gaze. For once, the glint of mischief was missing. ‘I knew it was coming. We all knew he’d use Matthias’s loss of control against him.’
I paused, glancing towards the quivering window, as the wind picked up pace.
‘So if you knew it was coming, why the angry face?’
‘That wasn’t the only news in the letter.’
‘Ah. Then it’s Motresh. We should send Keya to serve Queen Sarus. She’d know what to do,’ Glesni replied, shuffling over tothe window and testing the rattling handles before letting out an exasperated sigh.
‘I suggested sending a healer, but Romero’s using Matthias’s actions against us. He says any help from Asmar can’t be trusted.’ I snorted. ‘Time’s running out. I need to put in more hours in the library and find the Vyrium. If Queen Sarus and her whole family are at death’s door, then it can only be Romero behind it.’
‘Try proving that.’ The mentor rubbed her hand against the window.
‘Exactly. He’ll have his eyes on Asmar by now and, according to Matthias, he didn’t want to worry me.’
Glesni sighed, staring at the darkening sky. ‘There’s something you need to see,’ she said.
I bit back the retort and went over to the window. I squinted out over the grounds but my breath clouded the cold glass, making it even harder to see what was out there.
