“Hello, Kael.Ithasbeen too long.”Darion clasped Kael’s forearm, and they shared a quick embrace.Something about the way they looked at each other didn’t sit right with me.
Kael turned to me.“I’m Kael Marrick.You must be Cassian Nightbrook, our latest recruit.”
I nodded, trying hard to keep my face neutral.“That’s right.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Kael said with a smile that felt a little too polished.Then he turned to my sister.“And you are Elena, I take it.I was just informed about your home.I’m sorry to hear that, but you are safe with us.”
“Thank you,” Elena said with the slightest bit of hesitancy in her voice.I couldn’t tell whether she felt something was off about Kael, too, or if she was just reading my feelings.
Kael turned to me.“Cassian, the Council is gathering and will see you as soon as possible.I sincerely hope they see what Darion sees in you.”
I had to admit, he did seem sincere.“I’ll do my best.”
“In the meantime, we’ll have someone show you to the rooms we keep ready for visitors and refugees.I’m afraid they’re not exactly luxury accommodations.”
“Well, we grew up in a barn, so we aren’t too picky.”I meant it as a joke, but there was a bit more of an edge to my voice than I intended.
Kael looked at me, unsmiling.“Indeed.”
Caldren, the bearded man from the entrance, strode up to the group.“Kael and Darion, the high steward has requested a meeting.I can show our guests to their chambers.”
Darion put his hands on Elena’s and my shoulders.“You two will be in excellent hands with Caldren.”
I tried to hide my disappointment.I had so much more to ask Darion, plus after all we’d been through, I simply wanted his company.
Darion seemed to sense my unease and placed his hands gently on my cheeks.“I’ll be back soon.I promise.”And then he kissed me, making my insides flutter like butterflies.For a moment, my worries melted away.I hadn’t realized that was exactly what I needed until he did it.It was proof that he cared for me, that our time together meant something, and that he wasn’t ashamed to show it, even in front of others.
I couldn’t help but notice when Kael raised an eyebrow.
When Darion and I parted, he smiled warmly at me, and I smiled back.
“We’ll be fine,” I said, and I hoped my voice was convincing.
Darion turned to Elena.“You’re safe now.You needn’t worry.”Then he hugged her, and based on the look on Elena’s face, it was exactly what she needed as well.Seeing her response, I wondered whether I had shown her enough affection over the years.I had always been so worried about protecting her and being the parent.Either way, it only made me more grateful for Darion and how wonderful he was to Elena.
Darion strode off, leaving us with Caldren, who guided us to our rooms.Despite being described as not very luxurious, they were far superior to our humble barn.Elena and I each got our own room, and both had beds bigger and softer than anything either of us had ever slept on, with cotton sheets and mattresses that most certainly weren’t filled with rough straw.Each room had its own washbasin and fireplace.
Once we were settled, Caldren told us how to find the kitchens if we were hungry, then left us to ourselves, promising to stop by later to check on us.
I had been worried that Elena might not feel comfortable by herself, but she was more than eager for her own room.Nonetheless, after only a short while, as I lay on my bed deep in thought, there was a soft rap at the door.
“Come in,” I said.
Elena creaked the door open and slipped into my room, her shoulders slumped.“I can’t stop thinking about it.”
I sat up in bed and patted the spot next to me.“Come here.”
Elena sat next to me and leaned her head against my shoulder.I pulled her close.
“Our home is gone.It’s all I’ve known for most of my life.Why would someone do that?”she asked in a sad, almost trancelike manner.
“There are evil people in this world.”
Elena sighed.
I hadn’t had time to process it myself.We’d been running purely on instinct.But the idea that our barn was gone struck a very tender spot.We’d been here before, and now it was happening all over again.All the memories we’d made there, all the things we’d done, were now just charred remains.
We sat like that in silence, supporting each other, for a long while.
