Chapter 35
“And you’re certain there was no trace of dark magic?” Councilor Dresden asked.
Corinne had answered the same question about five times now, and exhaustion was sinking into her bones. She craved a moment to heal some of her fatigue, but she couldn’t simply start glowing in front of everyone in the council chamber.
“I’m certain,” she said. “He was stronger than an average fighter, but he was no Nightrender.”
“Still, if he held his own against a Lightguard, that is great cause for concern,” Councilor Orvos said.
“He didn’t hold his own,” Aryel said, his tone as exasperated as Corinne felt. “Corinne killed him in about thirty seconds.”
He lied so easily about it, and shame washed over her. She would’ve killed him in that time if she hadn’t been caught unawares.
Still, she may not have gotten to Aryel in time if she hadn’t been next to him in the bed.
She held onto that knowledge to keep the guilt at bay while the council continued to question her about every little detail regarding the assassin.
Captain Ekhana had not returned to the council room yet after he’d left an hour prior to check on his guards’ investigation of the body.
“We’ve been at this for hours,” Aryel said, standing and cutting off another question from Councilor Dresden. “I’m taking Corinne to get something to eat.”
Corinne could have cried with relief. Her stomach had been growling for an hour. Aryel turned to her and nodded, and she stood from her chair. King Theo’s face was murderous as they headed for the exit.
“Aryel!” he barked, following them into the corridor. “You were not given leave, and neither was she.”
Aryel stepped around Corinne and stood only a few inches away from his father.
“You dragged her in here before dawn and have allowed everyone to hound her with questions since,” Aryel said.
“She’s still covered in blood after killing a man to protect me.
I know this may be difficult to grasp, but she is not your guard, she’s mine, and I won’t have her treated with such indignity. ”
Corinne’s heart jumped into her throat. She’s mine.
“Tread lightly, boy,” King Theo growled.
“What are you going to do, Father?” Aryel asked, his voice low and taunting. “Strike me in front of everyone in the corridor? Where the councilors can hear?”
The king looked ready to implode with rage, his face bright red. Aryel turned on his heel and headed down the hallway, one hand at Corinne’s back to steer her alongside him.
“That was foolish,” Corinne muttered as they started down the stairwell.
“Perhaps it was,” Aryel said. “But I don’t care.”
Corinne couldn’t voice her gratitude in that moment, not when two guards were trailing just behind them, but she hoped Aryel knew what that had meant to her.
Though she wanted nothing more than a few minutes alone with Aryel without guards tailing them, it was still a relief to venture to the kitchens in relative silence.
After thoroughly washing her hands, they sat at the end of a long servants’ table in a room off the main kitchen while Corinne ate a plate of bacon and scones, even more ravenous than she’d realized.
Aryel started to say something several times, but stopped himself before voicing it.
He folded his hands on the table, and she wondered if it was to keep himself from reaching for hers.
Not being able to touch him openly was going to be torture, especially if the Lightguards were on their way back.
How had one night made her so keen to be in his arms whenever possible?
The safety she’d felt had been shattered, but she still craved the comfort of his embrace.
Her mind drifted to the scar on her thigh again, the way he’d touched it and kissed it with such tenderness.
It was no longer possible for her to pretend Aryel hadn’t stolen a piece of her heart. She’d broken that rule entirely and betrayed her oath to Helaera.
And yet…she did not feel remorse. Caring for someone else didn’t weaken her or pull her away from the Goddess. If anything, caring for Aryel would make her even more devoted to the oath she’d sworn to Helaera, the assignment she’d been given here.
That’s the only reason he’s kind to you.
Nausea rolled through her.
He just wants to keep himself safe. He doesn’t really care about you.
It was ridiculous to have such a thought after he’d just stood up to his father, blatantly risking his safety for her.
But the voice was insistent—it felt so true.
She looked at him, accidentally catching his eye, and concern lit his features.
Abandoning caution, Aryel placed his hand over hers on the table.
“Breathe, Sunshine,” he said, his voice so low she barely heard him. “Let thoughts be thoughts.”
The queasiness eased immediately, and Corinne breathed again. After a moment, Aryel removed his hand smoothly, picking at a splinter in the table.
“How did you know?” Corinne asked softly.
“You started to get that look,” he said. “It’s like your light fades a little bit.”
Corinne’s chest ached with the need to pull him close. Goddess, she wanted to disappear from the world with him, to take a shower and then sleep the rest of the day with him beside her.
“Corinne Anastos?”
She and Aryel both looked at the doorway leading into the kitchens, where a servant stood with his hands clasped.
“Yes?” she said.
“I’ve been sent to inform you the Lightguards are here. They’re waiting at the entrance hall.”
Aryel didn’t hesitate to join her as she stood and made her way through the corridors and up the stairs.
The two guards Ekhana had assigned them followed, silent but watchful.
Corinne tried to force her breathing to even out as they approached the entrance hall, but her heart still picked up speed when they arrived and she spied Mother Creita, Priestess Chala, and four other Lightguards, including Vera.
Why did she have to show up every time and bear witness to Corinne’s strife?
“Corinne,” Mother Creita said, hastening to her. She placed a hand on Corinne’s face, her expression morphing into disgust. “They sent for us hours ago, have you not had a chance to rest and bathe?”
Corinne shook her head, and anger lit in Mother Creita’s eyes. Behind her and Aryel, more footsteps approached, and the king and queen appeared.
“What is the meaning of this?” Mother Creita hissed at them, and Corinne blinked at her. “Why has she not been given time to rest?”
“We have been investigating the attack,” King Theo said gruffly.
“And you believe interrogating Corinne for hours will result in answers?” Mother Creita demanded.
Corinne looked between her and King Theo, unsure which of them was more apt to blow up from anger.
“The Crown and Council will question whomever we deem necessary,” King Theo said. “Perhaps you all can offer an explanation for how this assassin was able to breach our walls in the first place. He got directly into the prince’s rooms.”
Mother Creita took a deep breath, tension lingering in the silence.
“My apologies,” she said. “We have come here to aid in your investigation, and if you’ll allow us, we will leave five Lightguards in place while Corinne returns to the monastery.
We are recalling one Lightguard from every village, and she needs to share the details of this attacker, and the two previous ones, so we know what to watch out for outside of Vytanos. ”
Corinne wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly. While Corinne returns to the monastery.
“That seems like a reasonable plan,” Queen Erina cut in before her husband could reply, inclining her head to Mother Creita. “We are still waiting to meet with Captain Ekhana about details regarding this latest assassin.”
While the king and queen continued speaking with Mother Creita, Corinne turned to Aryel. She broke his gaze quickly when she noticed Vera’s eyes on her. Breathe, Corinne.
Were they going to reinstate her burn when she arrived? Perhaps not, if they intended to have her speak before dozens of others to relay what she’d seen here.
“Aryel, come,” Queen Erina said as Mother Creita walked past Corinne again, returning to the other Lightguards. “We will meet with them shortly.”
Aryel hesitated a moment before following his mother and father toward the entrance hall’s exit. He lightly brushed Corinne’s fingers with his as he passed, the contact so subtle she wondered if she’d imagined it. Corinne gathered herself after he’d disappeared, turning to the Lightguards.
“…We’ll go, and Chala can help Corinne.”
The others began to follow the royal family as Corinne approached Mother Creita and Priestess Chala.
“Mother Creita,” Corinne said, inclining her head.
“You’ve done well, Corinne,” the High Priestess said.
“Thank you,” Corinne said, though it meant little. “How long will I be at the monastery?”
“No longer than a week, I’m certain,” Mother Creita said, placing a hand on Corinne’s face again. “We’ll have a new assignment for you very soon.”
Corinne blinked at her. “A new assignment?”
“Yes, of course,” she said. “You have shown your devotion here, and we will need others like you outside Vytanos now that we’ll have five Lightguards in the castle.”
Corinne tried to speak, to say something, but she couldn’t trust her voice.
“You don’t look pleased, child,” Mother Creita said, her brow furrowing. “I expected you would be honored.”
“I am, Mother Creita,” Corinne said quickly. “I just…I wasn’t expecting to leave so soon. I…have become fond of this place.”
I’ve become fond of Ari and my friends.
“As many do where they are assigned,” Mother Creita said sagely.
“There are far more places for you to grow a fondness for, Corinne.” She looked around for a moment, then stepped even closer, lowering her voice.
“There are things we have not yet told you regarding all this, and I see now that was a mistake. But we will, upon your return to the monastery. Do not speak of it to anyone here.”
Corinne’s heart somehow sank even lower. “Mother Creita, I don’t understand.”
“I know, but you will soon. Now, go with Chala. You can clean up, and she will help you with your things.”
“I’m to leave now?” Corinne barely kept her voice from breaking.
“Yes, child, and make haste. I must go now and meet with the royal family and their Captain of the Guard. Chala?”
Priestess Chala stepped forward with a soft smile, gesturing for Corinne to lead the way.