With a groan, I picked out a few more sweaters and trousers, opening my jewelry stand and grabbing the first Altair signet ring I had ever received. Sending all of it back to the cottage, I left the closet with a sad sigh.
From there, I made my way to the shelves along the eastern wall. If Tershetta liked old books, then I’d have an excellent surprise for her. Each time I grabbed one, I willed it to my cottage, picturing it landing safely on the worn wooden table in front of my sofa. After I had picked out eight books, a voice rang out in the distance.
Not just any voice,Mother’s.
Getting caught wasn’t an option. If anyone found me there I’d likely face death, or worse. Still, I couldn’t stop myself from walking towards my door, my boots silent on the plush silver rug. When I made it to the door, I opened it just a crack, listening.
“He says he wants another heir, but I can’t do it, Farrah. They all just keep dying. Azazel was nothing short of a miracle. Iblissaid if I can’t give him a healthy heir by next year then he’llkill me.”
Pressing my face into the black wooden door frame, I caught sight of Mother pacing the long corridor, her hand outstretched as she held up the image of Farrah Otarn, the tech flickering every time she lost focus.
“I’m sorry, Elise. Priya hasn’t seen Azazel since graduation. Trust me, I thought she might have been lying too, but even after Joff nearly drowned her, she still said she didn’t know where he was. “
A faint gasp whooshed into my mouth, and I watched in horror as Mother’s head quirked to the side, her shoulder swaying as if she was about to turn around. Desperate not to be spotted, I shadow walked back to my cottage, wishing I wouldn’t have been such an idiot so I could know how Pri was doing.
My boots sank into the snow upon the mountaintop in front of my door, smoke twisting in the air from the brick chimney. Inside, I could hear an odd clatter, as if someone was knocking things over repeatedly. Nervous now, I burst through the door, my eyes darting across the space frantically.
A scream barreled out of Tershetta’s mouth from where she stood in the kitchen, her arms flying up as if she was going to beat me with the pan she held. I yelled too, caught off guard as she pinched her eyes closed. Murder was sitting on top of the counter, her back arched and her black fur standing up. Heart hammering, I gripped my chest and lifted a hand, trying to speak through my own terror.
“Sorry…I thought…someone…was here…trying…to hurt…you…”
Little Void raised a brow as she lowered the pan back to the blacktop, her head falling forward and then bouncing up again. “You scared me! Where did you go? What are you hiding?”
“Why are you so…suspicious of me? Shit…hold on…I need to catch…my breath.” I bent low, placing my hands on my knees and sucking in air. It had been a long time since I’d been scared like that. When was the last? Had to have been Cal on my birthday a few years back. He always said it kept me young, but I was pretty sure if it wasn’t for the magic in my body I would’ve aged twice as fast as normal.
“Are you really going to stall like that? Just tell me where you were. Does this have to do with your plan you won’t tell me anything about?” She pointed a wooden spoon at me, her feet seeming to take her forward against her will as her upper body fought by arching back. She wore a pale blue form-fitted top, the long sleeves bunching at her wrists and around her hips just below where the thick and loose black pants gripped her waist. On her feet she wore wool socks, which she seemed to favor. I should have grabbed the pairs I had at the castle, if only to see her wearing my clothes again.
Exhaling heavily, I stood, swiping my hand through my hair. Did it look good? She wasn’t looking at it at all. Did she like my outfit? It was one of my nicest sweaters, made with black cashmere knitted tightly, a silver snake etched into the left breast. Below it I had placed a silver button-up, pairing it with black trousers and my best leather boots. I only wore my rings for jewelry, but at least it wassomething.Did she hate it?
Wait…what did she ask me?
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“You’re insufferable, Altair. Tell me what you’re hiding right now or I’m leaving! Don’t think I’m not aware that your plan involves me in some capacity!” She was shouting, but she always did that around me. Her cheeks were flushed, her big eyes wide and her mouth downturned. Finally, she looked up at my hair, her nose scrunching before her eyes quickly looked me up and down, rolling after.
“I snuck back home to get you some books.” Once again, her arm fell, her head cocking to the side as she raised the left side of her upper lip in time with her right brow.
“Come again?”
Instead of saying anything else, I simply pointed at the small table in front of the sofa, the stack of books sitting there undisturbed. Gaze locking on the books, she gasped, letting the spoon fall to the ground. It clattered loudly against the wooden floors, making Murder hiss and leap away. Tershetta spared me one last glance before walking towards the sofa. I watched in barely contained glee as she sat down and began reading the titles.
“These are…wow. I almost feel bad for yelling at you.”
“Almost?” I made my way to her slowly, catching the way she bit her lip, her teeth tugging at the skin.
“Well, I’m not stupid. Youarehiding something from me. You said it yourself, you have a plan. If I wasn’t a part of it, you wouldn’t let me stay here, loneliness aside. You’ve never beenthatdesperate.”
Sitting down at her side, our thighs nearly touching, I leaned back into the cushions. “I’ve never needed to be desperate to seek your company, Little Void.”
Back stiffening, she closed the book she had been inspecting. Slowly, as if afraid I was a sleeping bear she might startle awake, she turned to face me. Even with me leaning back, our bodies were so close. I could have leaned forward and breathed her air if I wanted. Maybe it would poison me like Father’s voice seemed to shout in my mind, but wouldn’t that be a welcome change? Could it be that her poison was actually my antidote?
“Why did you get these for me, Altair?”
Contemplating her question, I stared, trying not to blink. After a moment, I decided on the truth. “Your mother once told me in a letter that you liked old books. I had a few to spare, andyou seem stars-bent on figuring outsomething.The least I can do is offer some reading.”
We sat there, maintaining eye contact, for what felt like both forever and not nearly long enough. Then, after clearing her throat, Tershetta said, “Thank you.”
Just like that, she stole her attention back, giving it to the brown leather book in her lap titledThe Wonders of Magic: Exposing the Limitations of Man in the Face of the Stars’ Might.
