Never lie.
This does not tell you what to do if you have lied and feel awful about it. It does not tell you how best to make amends for doing wrong.
I fold the list and tuck it away once more. “And then what do I do?”
Gryff snatches his chisel back from the ground, leveling the blade at me. “I will tell you what you will not do. You will not make excuses. You will take ownership of the wrong you have done and then ask if there is something you can do to make up for it. It will be up to your female to decide if she has a heart for forgiveness.”
Hopefully, Nia will have such a heart.
I do not want to live in a world without her smiles or her laughter.
“Thank you, Gryffin.” I start to turn away, but there is more to say, so I twist back around. He watches me through narrowed eyes, the chisel clenched in his tight fist. “I am sorry that you lost your mate. You are a good male who offers sage advice. I hope that you find someone to share your wagon with once more.”
At this, he scowls. I do not mind. A scowl from Gryffin is the closest thing he has to a smile now.
I leave for the canyon and find Dusk stamping in the dust. Instead of returning to my home in the gardens, I ride straight to Nia Quill’s cottage.
Her mother is the one who answers, which is most inconvenient because she promptly collapses to the ground with a piercing wail. If not for my arms, she would have knocked her head on the tile floor.
“Do not die.” There is not time for this nonsense. “I need to speak with Nia Quill.”
One eye splits into a narrow slit. “About what?”
This is the first time Nia’s mother has chosen to speak to me. Normally, she is dead until after I leave. I do not wish for this female to hate me more than she already does, but I cannot give her an answer to that question. Nia deserves to be the first to hear of my terrible actions from my own lips.
“A matter of great importance,” I say.
Now, both eyes have opened, and they are full of fire. “You stay away from my daughter, do you hear me?” The Seelie pokes her sharp nail at my chest like she wishes to carve out my heart. “My girl is far too good for the likes of you.”
“I know this.” I have known of Nia’s goodness since the first time I heard her voice.
The female’s expression flattens.
“But I still need to speak with her,” I say.
As if she has just realized I am still holding her, Nia’s mother shoves against my chest. When I loosen my grip, she scurries away like a scared rabbit, only there are no bushes under which to hide in this place. “Well, she isn’t home.”
This is most inconvenient. I have been gone for quite some time. Where else might she be?
Probably with her Nolan.
A jealous fire climbs my spine at the thought. “Then I will wait.” The truth must be told this day.
“Not in here, you won’t.”
“Outside,” I clarify.
Her face drains of color like she is about to feign death once more. “The neighbors might see you.”
“This is a problem?”
“Of course it’s a bloody problem. I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea.” She waves her hands at me as if that is supposed to explain what about the idea is wrong.
“That the king’s closest friend calls upon your daughter?”
Her eyes widen, and she leaps to her feet with the agility of a young fae, then starts patting her white hair and adjusting her apron and giving me a look that makes me want to turn and run. “Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you.” I do not deserve to be comfortable after what I have done. “I will wait in the garden.” And remain there until nightfall and beyond if I must.
