I’d return soon.
Lightning struck in the distance, and thunder rumbled overhead.
“This way.” Ryn guided me with a hand between my shoulder blades. We passed an enchantress selling love charms and another selling everlasting seedlings. Magic spread through the veins of this land—so common that I almost forgot that my realm was completely devoid of it.
Only when Ryn shot me a sly look did I realize I’d pursed my lips involuntarily.
“What?” I defensively retorted.
“You’re thinking yourself in circles.”
I rolled my eyes. “Areyouthe mind reader around here?”
He huffed a laugh and continued, “El told me you plan to leave us this week.”
I glanced over my shoulder at where Krait trailed a few yards behind us, feeling self-conscious about this line of conversation so near to him. It felt important for me to be the one to tell him I’d go.
“Well—I can’t stay forever,” I said. “But I appreciate your help these months. I am not an easy student.”
Ryn smiled. “You will turn these realms upside down for the better, Princess. Wherever you choose to do it from. Though there will be many here who miss you.”
I offered him a sad smile. “How do you stay so positive all the time when so much has been taken from you?”
He shrugged. “You can choose to be pissed off at the world or you can choose to embrace it in all of its injustices.”
He guided me toward a tent with open flaps flailing in the wind. Wicker rugs had been laid down inside, and wood-framedseats with lush cushions offered a quaint sitting space. Elsedora was already lounging there with a bottle of wine in hand.
She held the bottle out to Ryn without a verbal greeting. He took a swig before offering it to me. I looked around for a chalice.
Ryn shrugged. “It’s the first rain. Live a little, Sybilla.”
At that, I put the bottle to my lips and pulled from it. The decadent richness of the burgundy fruit warmed my tongue. I’d been limiting my consumption since having fallen ill, but the tonics and rest now had me feeling well enough. For now.
The scent of warm spice and smoke enveloped me. Krait stepped up behind me, reaching around my waist to swipe the bottle with playful ease. It slipped from my fingers as his front brushed my back, and I suddenly hated my own condition to put him off. He stepped away from me, and I missed his warmth.
It needed to be a clean cut.
We needed to remain allies.
He got to keep his realm out of Death’s grip and his people from losing their land. I got the same. I would not be his guilty pleasure to resent as his heart yearned for what he’d lost.
I took the seat beside Elsedora. This would put a safe distance between us. It had been hard enough to share a bed with the man while keeping my hands to myself with the way he looked like a Source-damned statue sculpted from women’s fantasies. It didn’t help that his tunic sleeves were rolled up onto his forearms.My weakness.
Elsedora reached over and grabbed my hand, squeezing it tightly. “I’m so glad you can experience a first rainfall before leaving.”
Krait had sat across from us and taken another swig of wine. He passed the bottle to Ryn as his brows knitted together. “Leaving?”
My posture straightened.
Elsedora and her big fucking mouth.
“Yes. I’m returning to Luz at the end of the week. Now that we’ve reached an agreement, I’d like to be seen by Wyeth through the process. I’ll write to you when you’re needed.”
The words sounded callous, and I wished I could retract them.
Krait clenched one fist around the wood armrest of his seat, his jaw pulsing. Ryn passed the wine to El with a sideways glance.
Krait waved his hand as though trying to dismiss his own anger. “Ah, yes. Keeping things professional. How could I forget your intent to use me as a stud?”
