But he wasn’t about to say that out loud.
Rell’s eyes narrowed, “We’re done here.”
He looked at Violette and gestured toward the door. “You and Symond are scouting the manor. I need patrol schedules, guard rotations, and a map of the grounds. Take as long as you need, but I expect something useful by the time you’re back.”
There he went, pretending to play leader. “And what are you going to be doing?”
“Elora and I will start working on the shards.”
Symond huffed, his lips curling into a sneer as he reached for his belt, checking the daggers and vials already strapped in place. “Of course you are,” he muttered under his breath.
He turned sharply and stalked toward the door without sparing another glance at Elora. He didn’t wait for Violette, didn’t care if she was following or not.
Rell didn’t move from his spot, standing firmly between him and the brat. There was always someone protecting her.Always. It was pathetic.
She hadn’t said a word since he’d mentioned Gerard, just stood there like the scared little girl she’d always been. Symond scoffed, his irritation bubbling over as he yanked open the door.
“Still hiding behind someone else,” he said, loud enough for her to hear before he stepped into the hallway, slamming the door behind him.
Chapter 8
Elora
The sight of Symond sent her spiraling into a familiar darkness, one she had fought fang and claw to pull her way out of.
Her thoughts kept looping back to the same impossible question:How is he here?The last time she’d seen him, he was on the boat with the others headed for the Capital. Yet, here he was, standing in this cramped hideout, staring at her with all the bitter malice that he had always shown her. His hatred for her seeped from his very pores like sweat, it clung to him, was a part of him.
She had tried to push back against the fire in his eyes, though deep down, she knew she had no right. The only reason Thorn ever had a leash around his neck was because of her, and the deal Tehvan made to protect her.
And then he’d mentioned Gerard. The implication had cut her open, laying bare all the shame and helplessness she’d fought to bury. He hadn’t even said much, yet it was enough to unravel her.
She hugged her arms around her stomach, willing herself not to throw up and add another stain on the navy blue carpet. The room, the warmth, the inviting atmosphere, it was a façade. This place was dangerous. The idea of staying here, sharing this spacewith him… Somehow, the thought of taking her chance with Fane seemed less terrifying.
A weight on her shoulder pulled her abruptly from her thoughts. She flinched, her head snapping up to see Rell standing beside her, his hand gently resting on her. She hadn’t even seen him move.
“I’ve been saying your name. You okay?” He looked at her like she was a frightened animal a second away from bolting.
She shrugged her shoulder away from his touch and took a step back. “I…yeah.” She knew that didn’t sound convincing. She braced herself, waiting for the questions about her and Symond’s history.
But he didn’t ask them. Instead, he exhaled and gestured toward the door leading to the hallway Violette and Symond had come from. “Come on. Let’s head to the lab and start on those shards.”
Elora instinctively cupped her hands together and pressed her thumb into her palm. She wanted to say no, to retreat back up those stairs and into the crowded streets of Ravenpoint. But Tehvan was counting on her getting to Kilfaire. He risked everything for her. She couldn’t run into Fane’s waiting arms.
She nodded slowly, forcing her legs to move as she followed him toward the door. At least in the lab, she could focus on something concrete: measurements, formulas, alchemy. Something that didn’t require her to confront the mess of emotions swirling inside her.
“Here we are,” Rell said, pushing the door open with a theatrical flourish and stepping aside. “After you.”
Elora paused, her fingers tightening around the strap of her satchel as she stared into the room beyond. She wasn’t sure what she expected, but it wasn’t this.
The space was large, far larger than she’d imagined, with walls lined floor-to-ceiling with shelves brimming with jars, vials, and containers of every imaginable size and shape. The soft glow of enchanted lights bathed the room in a warm, golden hue, casting gentle shadows that danced across the shelves. Tools and alchemical equipment sat neatly arranged on the counters, their polished surfaces gleaming as if they’d been meticulously cared for.
In the center of the room stood a grand workbench, its surface pristine and inviting, surrounded by stools that bore the marks of heavy use. Above it, pots filled with vibrant plants dangled from the ceiling, their leaves basking in the warm light.
The hum of the enchanted lights was subtle but constant, blending with the faint rustle of the plants. And then there were the smells: a mix of earthy herbs, tangy acids, and the sweet, delicate aroma of flowers. The scents were intoxicating, washing over her with happy memories spent with Tehvan and Arria, filling her chest with a long-forgotten sense of calm.
“Well?” Rell asked from the doorway, leaning casually against the frame with his arms crossed. “Will this do?”
She glanced at him, her lips twitching into the faintest hint of a smile. “It’s... perfect.”
