“Abusing her authority isnother right!No onehas the right to publicly humiliate their subordinates! That’s how people like Rheon come to be. Because everyone allows it!”
His hands move with such hostility that I blink and step back. A glance from someone a small distance away tells me that he’s speaking quite loudly. Tiernan must notice the tears welling in my eyes, because he immediately holds his hands up in apology. “I don’t mean to shout,” he motions quickly. “I’m just?—”
“Stressed? Frustrated?”I swallow, fending off the tears.
“Yes, it doesn’t mean I have to take it out on you. I’m sorry.” He sighs and rubs the back of his neck, his gaze growing distant.
“Tiernan, talk to me. Please. Ever since we found out about Rheon?—”
His forehead crinkles. “This isn’t about me. This is about you.”
“Is it?” I keep my tone calm and cross my arms over my chest, tilting my head at him. His eyes soften and the anger seems to melt away. But that bothered look—like he’s trying to hold back—remains on his face. My heart aches for whatever demons he’s fighting. Resigned, I sigh and say, “Alright, I’m supposed to have tea with Alys, so I’m heading home to wash up.”
“Do you want me to walk you home or?—”
“No, it’s alright. Stay here and get your training in.”
He nods and gives my hand a squeeze before we go our separate ways.
After freshening up, I head out to pay Alys a visit. I can’t stop thinking about the way Tiernan confronted Ava after she challenged me. I understand he only wants to protect me, but I can’t help but think that it only made me look even weaker.
Alys awaits me in her sitting room, and a smile stretches across her face as she adjusts the colorful silken scarf around the front of her hair. “Good to see you, sweetling,” she says. “No Tiernan today?”
I shake my head, regretting the movement as it makes me dizzier. Sinking down into the armchair across from her, I respond, “I just needed a moment to myself.”
Surprise colors her face. “Sounds like we need some tea,” she says. “I’ll be right back.”
Moments later, she settles in the chair across from me again, her steady gaze on me. I gnaw on my lower lip, suddenly questioning my decision to have a casual afternoon cuppa rather than resume training.
“Anxious?” Alys asks me.
“Hmm?”
She leans forward and places her mug on the tea table before pointing toward me. I follow the direction of her finger, to where my knee bounces up and down. Immediately, I stop, signing my apology.
Alys leans in, concern creasing her forehead. “Do you need to talk?” she motions.
I shake my head. “No—I just …” The words flutter right within my reach, teasing me. “I should be training. I should be running. I should be?—”
She very gently holds up a hand and signs, “You are allowed to breathe for a moment.”
Yet when I try to take a deep breath, it feels like a boulder is crushing my chest.
“I can feel the pounding in your head, sweetling; I’m not even sure how you can keep your eyes open with that pain.”
“I’m accustomed to—” My brows dart up as realization sets in. Maybe I misread her words. “Did you say you canfeelmy headache? Has your healing returned?”
A smile adorns her plump face as she nods, and happy tears glisten in her eyes. It’s been a mystery why her recovery has been so slow given her Healer blood. But since the poison had also drained her of her healing capabilities, she’s theorized that it was no regular poison, but one targeting magical blood specifically. A poison that was magically made.
I beam at her. “That’s incredible, Alys.”
“Thank you, sweetling. With that said, I’ve prepared a stronger tincture for you. Since you’re exerting more energy, you’ll need a more concentrated dosage. I have a week’s worth for you already and I’m working on more.”
“Alys, I don’t want you to overexert yourself. I’ve been fine with the tinctures from the apothecary.”
“It isn’t a problem. It’s been nice to feel useful again.” She smiles. “Now tell me what’s bothering you.”
I gnaw on my lip again, and my fingers find their way under my wrist cuff, running along the seam. I try to think of what’snotbothering me. “I hate that I still can’t control the dreamwalking very well. I’m terrible with sparring and dagger throwing—Idon’t even dare to pick up a sword. I want to prove to your daughter that I can defend myself Outside, but I’m not so sure myself.”
