Chapter 59
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
MORGANA
I ’d grown used to the way the shadows played tricks on my tired mind. It was as if they’d become sentient since Aster and I escaped Avendatis.
As I wandered through the cobblestone paths of the fort, the chill in the air wrapped around me, chilling me at the bone. I’d stolen one of Thena’s spare jackets, and though it fit snugly, it was entirely too thin to shield me from the wind.
I was dressed entirely in Umbran Guard attire, actually. It was the sort of uniform the Mortuary Arbiters didn’t get. We could wear whatever we wanted, just so long as it didn’t interfere with the long, white coats. This uniform was entirely black—with these pants that had billowing fabric at the thighs that led to a tailored, formfitting hem at the lower leg, a tight yet airy blouse with the Umbran Guard’s crest on the shoulder, and the jacket. All I was missing were the boots and a good haircut. I’d look just like them.
Had Galen worn this type of attire too?
I followed the path that led me closer to the edge of the fort where Thena and Isaac sought solace by the crackling fire. Thena sat with her back straight, her gaze fixed on the void of Vespera beyond the tall fortress walls. Her brow was furrowed in deep consideration, and Isaac stared at the fire until my silhouette came into frame. He was the first to acknowledge me with a smile.
“Look who’s kicking again,” he said and stood. I almost collapsed when he hugged me, but luckily his hold on me was so tight that he’d make sure I didn’t fall on my back. After an all-too-long hug, I gave him a pat on the back. He scrambled and rubbed my shoulder. “Sorry, Morg. I just really thought I lost you.”
My eyes widened, my lip forming this pathetic pout. It was a trembling testament of how much his concern resonated within me.
“Oh, gods, what is she doing?” Isaac muttered and took a half step back. “Thena, I think Morgana is broken.”
“It appears so,” she said after twisting her body.
“Oh, shut it, the two of you,” I rasped and rammed my body into Isaac, hugging him again. “Get up, Thena. Now!”
Thena laughed and stood, joining the hug and rubbing my back. When I pulled away, I had to wipe my eyes so they didn’t see how vulnerable I truly felt. How defeated I was. There was something about seeing them that made me feel safe— normal. The mere reminder was enough to break me. Thena returned to her spot on the crate, then Isaac. I took the spot on the ground between them, holding a hand up against the wall of heat.
“Where are we?”
“Outside of Verdantium, near the countryside and western beaches,” Thena said. “There have been disturbances that required a heavier guard presence.”
My ears perked, and I turned my head toward her. “What sort of disturbances?”
Thena shrugged and chuckled softly. “Hell if I know. We thought people were breaching the barrier into Vespera, like the pirates or people too stupid to know what awaited them, but I haven’t seen anybody go near it.”
Isaac shifted in his seat and shook his head. “The town is practically abandoned, Thena.”
“Just because the inn closes before nightfall does not mean it is abandoned.”
“Lies!” Isaac said with a laugh. “There is no better time to drink than when the moon is high.”
I smiled softly at their bickering, twisting my focus to Vespera. It was like this storm that stretched from the heavens to the hells, a wall of darkness so deep, so dangerous it commanded my attention. There were sparks of electricity—like bolts of lightning—and from here, I could hear the distant sounds of its cursed shores. Within years, this fortress would be consumed as it inched closer.
The entire kingdom nation would cease. It might not be in my lifetime, but it could be.
Vespera didn’t follow rules.
The strangest beauty of it was those glittering stars that danced across the outermost wall. An eternal night sky, but instead of serenity and peace, it was death and destruction.
As I beheld the swirling darkness, my mind wandered back to Aster. The weight of his curse and the burden of his family’s legacy weighed heavily on my heart. How could one person carry such a responsibility?
I would never make excuses for the cruelty I’d witnessed, but I also could never blame him. I’d done similar things in the name of survival. After a few moments, I felt a warm hand on my head and turned to find Aster standing behind me. Thena and Isaac jolted onto their feet—Thena in a curtsy, and Isaac kneeling with his head bowed.
I remained sitting, my jaw going slack.
“Please, do not do that,” Aster mumbled and joined me on the ground. Thena and Isaac paused but eventually returned to their crates. I saw ten thousand different questions racing across their faces, but they remained silent.
“Since we’re going for casual greetings,” Isaac muttered and clenched his hands together. “Who the hell do you think you are?”
Aster stiffened, eyes widening as he turned his attention onto my friend. It was funny, I’d grown so used to Isaac’s goofy jokes and quiet submission that I almost laughed at his outcry. Thena was already scrambling to tackle him and muffle his words, but Isaac was faster.
“It’s safe to assume you’ve had Morgana all this time, yes?” he said and frowned. “Did she not mention us? Did she… did you not think to send word?”
Aster’s face softened, and he returned his stare to the dancing fire. “I am terribly sorry for the worry this has caused you. But the stakes were too high. I couldn’t risk Morgana’s well-being if a letter like that got out.”
The one thing I’d yet to tell Aster resonated within me. It gnawed at my chest, and I curled my hands against my stomach and lowered my focus to the ground. I didn’t know if Anabel had managed to get that letter out.
By the gods, I hope she threw it away in a foolish attempt at protecting me from such a dangerous request. In a smarter attempt at protecting herself.
Isaac scoffed. “A freaking pigeon with a sketch around its neck of her and you frolicking through meadows would have sufficed.”
Thena cackled and covered her mouth. Aster’s lips cracked into a smile, and he turned his head to me. “I will have to keep that in mind the next time I decide to ruin her life.”
The breath hitched in my throat, and he reached over to rest his hand over mine.
In a silent plea, he mouthed, I’m sorry.
I nodded and faced the fire again. “Enough of the bickering, please. I’m fine. Let us live with that fortune and move forward.”
They nodded, and then we fell into the quiet of the night, mindlessly chatting before Aster stood and offered a hand.
“You need rest.”
I glanced at his hand and accepted it without pause. For some reason, he smiled—a true, genuine smile—and he bid the others a goodnight.
He didn’t bring me to the infirmary. Instead, he guided me to a heavily guarded, enclosed structure within the fort. The Sinclair crest was etched into two crimson banners at either side of the entrance, and inside there was an expansive war room, a bed, and food.
He poured me tea and then he sat on one of the chairs. I looked in disbelief.
“What?” he said and rubbed his face. “You do not expect me to let you sleep on that cot, do you?”
I smirked. “And what if I want to?”
“Then I will hear none of your complaints when you wake with a sore back.”
I hummed. Then I eyed the bed and sighed, followed by a small sip of the tea. “You’re right. Your bed will just have to do.”