“We should head back to my house to tell the others about Cyrus,” he says, unlocking the door before kissing my neck. “Back to reality, I guess.”
“Back to reality,” I respond.
Chapter 42
When we return to the house, the others are sitting in the living room discussing recent events. To my surprise, Oak is sitting among the group. Heavy purple circles sit under his eyes, and his typically bright hair appears dull.
Fen sits next to Warrick as always, while Larkin is closest to the blazing fire, sitting beside Rose who is holding a cup of tea. As we descend the carpeted staircase, Oak lifts his gaze, and a smile appears on his face that doesn’t reach his eyes. I can’t help but notice how Warrick always keeps an eye on Fen, as if she’s seconds away from disappearing from his grasp.
“There you two are,” Fen says as she stands. “I thought I was going to have to come pull you two out of Ophidian’s.”
“Have you both been speaking to Cyrus this entire time?” Larkin asks.
“Doubtful,” Warrick mumbles. “He’s never stayed anywhere for that long.”
Silas shoots me a smirk.
I respond before he can embarrass me. “Something like that.”
“Well, come join us.” Fen waves us over as she tucks back into Warrick.
We stride across the vast living space, and I marvel at my surroundings—I don’t think this house will ever cease to amaze me. Each time I descend the stairs, I find myself awestruck by the beauty of this home and its stunning views. My eyes linger on the large windows, looking out at the sun, which hangs low in the sky, casting shades of pink and red across the horizon like a mix of melted flowers. I watch it dip lower with each passing second, the crimson hues quickly overtaking the pink—brighter than I’ve ever seen a sunset—reminding me of dripping blood inking the sky. I tear my gaze away and shake off the unsettling feeling.
Warrick and Rose begin a new conversation, likely talking about their travels, while Larkin and Fenmore spat about who will drink more ale at Ophidian’s when this is all over.
I move immediately to Oak and sit before him. “How is she?”
“She’s asleep right now,” Oak replies, with a heavy sigh. “That’s about all she does currently, but the healers assure me it’s how the body will heal itself faster. She should wake up more in the coming days.”
“Those healers know what they are doing,” I assure him. “Trust them.”
“How was your day?” he asks.
“Gods, we don’t have the time to cover everything that happened in our day.”
“Everything went okay, though?” he pushes, looking for more information.
I don’t want to burden him further with the uncertainties of what the next few days will bring, but I can’t bring myself to lie to him, either. He deserves to be included like everyone else,and keeping him informed will only make us more prepared and united when the time comes.
I shake my head. “I don’t really know, to be honest. I know you heard we spoke with Cyrus. The conversation went well, in that he listened, but I’m not sure I did a good enough job convincing him. As far as Silas announcing he is now the King of Andorwood…” I pause. “It could have gone better.”
I feel the stares from the others after hearing Cyrus’s name, and I can’t help but look directly at Warrick. His brows tighten, and he fidgets with a piece of fuzz on his thigh.
“It will be a gamble if he helps us take down the ship, and it will be an even bigger gamble if we can rely on him in the future,” I say.
“He won’t help,” Warrick grumbles. “He looks out for one person and one person only. He’ll leave us on that pier to fight alone.”
“Maybe he won’t,” Larkin adds.
Warrick furrows his brows. “He will, and when we win, I plan to make sure everyone knows that the rebels are cowards.”
Fen jerks her head in his direction. “Warrick, no, you won’t.”
“I won’t?” he asks, annoyance flashing in his eyes. “Why wouldn’t I?”
The rest of us remain quiet, watching.
Warrick continues, “He is a piece of shit. I should expose him for what he is.”
