“Vesperah has guards stationed right outside this shrine. By now she’s already sent word to the palace of what’s occurred. Until the district feels secure, we’re waiting it out here. Unless, of course, you feel unwell.”
Apart from my trembling limbs, it felt like my brain had been thoroughly jostled inside my skull. What right did I have to be ridden by shock, when many others were likely not as lucky as me?
My blood boiled. “Vervain. Green fire. That means…” I tried to say the word “apostate” to her, but that familiar tightness closed around my throat. The magic of the brand on my foot was impossibly strong, assuming our theory was correct. Even more impossible was how I had no trouble talking about the apostai to Raithe, without him bearing a brand. A mystery for another day.
“The apostai, yes,” Felaf finished for me.
I didn’t understand. “Why would they target a bathhouse?”
“It wasn’t just the bathhouse. The citadel’s holding cells were nearby as well.”
“That hardly follows their theme of sacred places.”
“Maybe they were targeting us. Targetingyou,and wanted to use the explosion as a cover-up.”
“But how could they have known where we’d be?”
Felaf shrugged. “Maybe they were targeting the dungeons to free other apostate prisoners?”
“But that doesn’t make sense, either. I thought Maryn’s orders don’t allow for any tolerance. All suspected are brought to the palace and interrogated, then executed. That means there shouldn’t be any in the citadel, right?”
Felaf tapped her foot. “I mean, yes, thereshouldn’tbe, but… there’s… Stars, fuck me.”
“What is it?”
“There’s something I need to tell you.” Her face was suddenly wracked with guilt. “Well, somethingsthat I should have told you weeks ago.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I—shit.” Her eyes shuttered closed. “Perfect timing.”
And then I saw him. Raithe, sauntering up the hill. He washere. Elation swelled in my chest at the mere sight of him. I stepped forward, then halted.
He shut us out, I reminded my wounded heart. My feet rooted firmly in place. He was here out of duty—out of necessity. He didn’t care about our silly conversations. He didn’t care aboutme, about Rahzlyn; all that mattered was Novah’s safety. I was his princess, and he was my guardian.
But when our eyes locked, my stomach fluttered. One moment he was at the bottom of the hill, and a breath later, he stood before me. His speed, hispresence, sent a wave of dizziness over me. He was nearly healed from his fight with Barto, yet the faint traces of bruising on his face lingered. My heart clenched.
Something unidentifiable brewed in his eyes. Tension corded his neck. Oh, he waspissed.
I braced for impact.
“You’re hurt,” he observed in a deceptively cool tone.
“I’m fine, it’s only?—”
“You’re literally bleeding.” His glowing eyes lifted to my forehead with displeasure.
I touched the wet, tender spot.Blood. “It’s just my head.”
“Just?” he hissed. “What the fuck, Felaf?”
“I’ve already inspected her vitals. She’ll be fine,” Felaf assured him.
He glared at her. “Nothing about this isfine.” His hands trembled at his sides.
I’d never seen him like this before. Instead of cowering, I dared a step closer. “This wasmyidea. If you want to rip someone to shreds, I’m your woman.” I crossed my arms tightly over my chest. “I knew the risks coming here. Felaf protected me.Shekept me safe. And if you hadn’t been such an ass up until today, maybe you could have too.”
Raithe lifted his brows, momentarily stunned.
