Fire.
The word lingers between us, heavier than the silence that follows as we head back to the castle.
Chapter 8
Rowan
“Do you think she can do it?” Kael asks me, crossing his arms over his chest. The common room door groans shut behind us, sealing away the chatter of voices and the warmth. Out here, the corridor feels narrower and colder. Orb light trembles along the stone walls. With my hands firmly behind my back, I fix my gaze into the distance, on the small trail leading to the glasshouse. His question should have a straightforward answer.
No, the kingdom is dying.
There is no way to fix it.
We know this.
Scholars have tried for years. The people have lost all hope.
“You’re hesitating,” Kael says, a smirk forming.
“I’m thinking.”
I spot Thomas approaching across the courtyard, Elodie walking beside him. She’s smiling at something he said, and something tightens in my chest at the sight of it.
“I rarely see you at the commons in the evenings.” Kael remarks.
“It works better for everyone this way,” I say.
“You could have stuck to your routine, left her with us for the evening commons,” he says, side-eyeing me.
“I could have, yes.”
“But you didn’t,” he says. Elodie spots us watching and gives us both a small smile. Kael taps my shoulder with a wink before stepping forward to greet Elodie.
He’s right, I could have carried on as normal. Had other people look after her, avoid her as much as possible. I told myself I didn’t want others being in charge of her because I am responsible for the safety of this castle. That I couldn’t take any risks. But that wasn’t it. It was the look on her face when she spotted the glasshouse. The people of this castle, this kingdom. They see that place as a failure, a reminder of an old life.
But Elodie lit up.
“Sir,” Thomas announces, saluting me and stepping aside for Elodie. She steps under the archway, moving into my space. The smell of damp earth and crushed leaves fills my senses. She has to tilt her head to look up at me, reminding me how small her frame is. I think about asking the Runesmiths to bind some armour for her, but I dismiss it as quickly as it came.
“Your junior knight here has been very helpful,” she says to me, giving a small wink at Thomas, who seems to blush instantly under her gaze.
“Just following orders, sir,” he blurts. Kael takes this opportunity to tease him about his obvious attraction to Elodie.
“Thomas, your duty was to watch the glasshouse. Not interfere with anything Miss Hawthorne needs to do,” I say, my voice more agitated than I mean it to be. Elodie shakes her head, placing a hand over her chest.
“Oh, no, it’s okay. Really, I would rather have the company,” she says, mouthing an apology to Thomas. I don’t respond.
The silence is deafening.
Kael’s voice rips through the quiet corridor.
“Ok well, this is great communication here, guys. Seriously.” He throws both his hands up in jest. “But I will have to stop you there. We are all headed to The Cup.” He places a hand behind Thomas’s shoulder, urging him along, and glances at me and Elodie. “Plant girl, care to join us?” he asks.
“She hasn’t eaten yet. She won’t be joining,” I say. Elodie folds her arms over herself and sends Kael a small wave before turning to me.
“I’ll head to the room,” she says, turning to leave. But something in me loses its resolve. “Wait,” I whisper. She stops dead in her tracks, turning to face me with a look of fear. “You will eat in the food hall tonight with me. It saves me bringing the food up to you.”
“Right, of course,” she says under her breath.
