The two worked well together.
As I neared thedoorI’dbeen told was theirs, Ialmosthesitated—but instead of giving into my anxiety, I knocked without letting myself think twice. If my information was right, somebody from theValwain—besides Quinn—should’vebeenwith Ezra right now.
Having used the familiar series of knocksI’dpicked up from theValwainto signify thepersonknocking was also of theValwain, Rayvenappeared relaxedwhen he answered the door, leaning against its frame. He was never the most expressive of us, but even I could tell the calm on his face was forced.
It looked like Rayven was following what Quinn had told all of us.
Which was to tell Ezranothing.
We all knew she meant well for her husband; Chess had said Ezra needed minimal stress. But if I knew Ezra at all, he waslikely losinghis mind being holed up in their chambers while he healed. And whenI’dsaid exactly that, well… Quinnhadn’texactly gone easy on me.
I guess Ididn’tlearn, though, if my presence at Ezra’s door meant anything.
Rayven’s eyebrows lifted at the sight of me.
“What can I do for you, my queen?”heasked, his voice low—likely so Ezrawouldn’thear from farther inside.
“I volunteered to sit with him for the next couple of hours until Quinn got back, butI think Ihave tocut it a tad short. Can you return just before dusk?” I requested, trying to keep my voice light.
“Aviva, I’m not sure this is—”
“I’m just checking on my friend,” I reassured Rayven.
Hecrossed his arms over his broad chest, not moving from the doorway.
“IfI get in trouble, I won’t tell anybody you let me in,” I sighed.
“Whenyou get in trouble with Quinn, I’ll be by your side,” he said, reaching out and gently resting a hand on my shoulder.
Shocked at his words, I looked up to meet his eyes, searching for the trick orliethere.
But I found only genuine concern in his gaze.
“I don’t think her stance on this is right, either, but she’s my peer. I don’t want to overstep any boundaries. But supporting my queen, especially when she’s doing something I believe is right? That’s something I can—andwill—always do.”
With that, he stepped past me, allowing me to take his spot just inside of the doorframe.
In an act of respect and gratitude, I placed my fist over my heart as I faced him.
He mimicked the motion, then bowed slightly.
“Before dusk,” he promised, then dissipated into wisps of shadow, disappearing from my sight before I could utter a response.
Loosening a breath, I shut the door behind me and made my way down the short corridor that led into the chamber’s main space. They had decorated it in warm colors—shades of gold, red, and orange covered the space and made it feel inviting—though I supposed the small flame in the fireplace could have something to do with that, too. Their bed was tucked into the far corner, thin drapes hanging from the top of the four posts and blocking most of it from view. Toward the front of the main room was a comfortable lounge area, and in the opposite corner sat what I imagined was Ezra’s desk, as the surface was completely covered in paper, books, and what looked like maps.
“Aviva?” I could hear the pleasant surprise in his voice as he called out, havingjust walked out of the washroom, the door sliding closed behind him.
He looked better thanI’dbeen expecting. There were no gaping wounds on his skin from what I could see, but I knew most of the woundshe’dbeendealthad been in places hecould cover up. He had on some loose cotton pants and a button-up shirt colored in cream and deep orange stripes, and his hair was wet as thoughhe’djust taken a bath. The white streakrunning throughhis strandswas bright again—not dirty and bloody, like it had been whenwe’dfound him.
Heappearedput together. But I knew wounds didn’t have to be physical for them to still hurt.
“Hey there,” I responded,a softsmile on my lips. I slid my hands into my pockets tostop from picking atthe skin around my nails, but before I knew it, Ezra was crossing the lounge towards me.
Swept up in his arms, I gasped at the sudden contact as he squeezed. Iwasn’tsurehe’dbe feeling up to a hug, let alone whateverthatwas.
I wrapped my arms around him in return, though Iwasn’texactly sure what was happening.I’dbeen expecting him to abhor any kind of physical contact, notinitiateit.
When he pulled back, resting his hands on my shoulders, and saw my puzzled face, the beginnings of a small smile haunted his mouth.
