“I don’t want to end up as serpent food?—”
“And you won’t. Now,” I said, walking closer to her door. “Let me in. When we’re done, you’ll do well enough to make the king forget both the Cherubim who came before you, and the endless burdens he bears while fighting to keep all who dwell in the manor safe.”
Vivienne blinked up at me, unsure.
“You are really here to help me?”
“Indeed, I am.”
The Cherubim broke into a smile that lit up her entire youthful face. It was pleasant to see. I found myself liking the little angel. She pushed her door wide, gesturing for us to enter.
“Come on in, Phantimèssa. I really need help to master,All I Ask of You.”
Chapter 22
Nahomie
“Nahomie.”
Tassarion called my name for the umpteenth time. I kept quiet. Since he didn’t want to talk about where he’d been or what he was up to, I suddenly found I wasn’t in the mood to talk at all.
I scooted away from him on the loveseat, turning my knees in the other direction. My gaze remained on Vivienne below as she shyly began her first song of the twinight. Tassarion nudged my side of our bond with one of his souls. I shuddered at the touch, but I refused to cave in.
“Don’t push me out.”
“Tassarion, I’m watching Vivienne’s performance.”I tossed a few braids over my shoulder.“We need to get you a new favorite singer after all.”
Tassarion snorted, turning to look at me. His gaze burned a hole in the side of my face. I kept my eyes forward, refusing to look at him.
“Petty.”
“You call it petty. I call it dancing on the same sheet of music.”
“Phantimèssa,"Tassarion purred.
Relentless. Insufferable...
I wanted to kick him off the loveseat.
Tassarion leaned over and playfully tugged on my braids, while sneakily using a wing to curl around my waist and drag me close. By the time I realized what he’d done, I was trapped. His wing moved to my arm and didn’t let go.
“Since you can come and go for as long as you please, I want to do the same. Can I leave Everthorn Manor for a dawn to frolic in the closest village? I’d like to see what Mortevain is like for myself.”
Tassarion didn’t hesitate.
“No.”
My back stiffened. I finally turned to him.
“You’re joking.”
“For the love of the Infinite, Nahomie. You won’t be safe outside of this manor. You’ve no idea what I’m protecting you from.”
“I’m not safe onyourisland?”
“No, you’re not. Not until my business with Marcèllian is handled.”
While I appreciated his candor, that wasn’t good enough for me. I frowned, tugging at my skirt. I dusted it off, though it was polished to perfection thanks to Saundeiah. The Nanmiess had me back in the stunning crimson gown that hugged my body like the stars clung to twinight.
