Chapter twelve #2
I might need to speed up my city exploration if he was trying to imply other ways I could gain my freedom from him. He was a rake. And I wouldn’t beg him for anything. I’m sure there had to be a records hall, a library, somewhere where I could start my search for my parents.
My eyes ticked back and forth, focusing on nothing as I tried to organise my thoughts. And then it struck me.
“There has to be more.” It was a question, but as I said it, I knew it had to be true.
It had to be for, my sake. I steadied my gaze at him.
“More faebane in the Four Corners? Maybe I can research something in the libraries with Audrie.” My body had already awoken at the chance to research in such a city, to pour over the books and pages of countless volumes and texts I could never have dreamt of.
Audrie nodded behind me emphatically.
But Kaed was pinching his nose bridge again. “Anyone else you’d like to tell about the faebane? Seems you’re just keen to tell anyone and everyone, even someone you just met, about it.” He looked to Audrie. “Everyone, that is, except for me.”
“What else am I going to do while you’re keeping me here? I can hardly pretend to be your intended. No one is going to believe that for a second.”
Gavrin chuffed a laugh behind me. At least someone was on the same page as me.
“People don’t have to be happy to be betrothed. You’ve enough passion in your hands to convince people we feel something for each other. Even if that is loathing.”
I raised my hand to strike him again. But he snared my wrist before I could.
His eyes snagged on my scar for the briefest of seconds.
I regretted not lacing the sleeves, but I’d had no time when Gavrin pulled us from the bedroom.
Blue eyes locked on me, trying to drown me. No part of me wanted to back down, but his stare was intense. It was like gazing up at the night sky and trying to count every star in a single blink. It was simply too much to take in all at once.
His hand still gripped my wrist, and the skin heated where he touched me. Darkness seeped into the edges of my vision, and I didn’t know if it was Kaed’s magic or my own imagination. The boundaries around me were fading as I found my focus only searching his eyes.
My breath tumbled out of my mouth as the air thrummed with heat around me.
Behind us, a whole world away, Gavrin cleared his throat. “Maybe let them research. What harm is there in that?”
He’d broken whatever power had been testing my limits, because the room brightened again, and the night sky stars faded. Kaed dropped my wrist.
Gavrin shrugged. “You’re going to be busy. Councillor Carron has already asked for an audience, and Celeste is meeting you—eh, about now. I can’t keep an eye on her every waking hour, Kaed.”
He knew Gavrin was right, knew I was right.
“I can watch her in the library.” Gods bless the sweetness that was Audrie. She took my hand in hers like she was taking charge. But I knew it for what it was. Solidarity. She would be with me. No matter what Kaed decreed.
“Fine. But stay close to the Alabaster Palace unless Gavrin is with you both.” He sighed right before he continued, “And Gavrin will have the wall and watch guard notified of your mandatory confinement within the city limits.” That might make my plans for leaving far harder.
“You’re not to leave here without Audrie.
And Miss Stairlor, you will not let her out of your sight, or you’ll be returning to Hayden before the sun rises. ”
“I thought you said this wasn’t a palace?” I snarked.
“It’s not.”
I held up my hands, gesturing to the grand study room panelled with rich wood. The manicured gardens beyond, and finally to the marbled halls we’d come from.
“Not by my standards,” Kaed said by way of dismissal. “It’s just a name. Don’t dwell on it.”
“Names have meaning to some people, you know.”
“Well aware, peach.” The slight pout of his lips as he looked at me was problematically disarming.
Kaed held the door open for us. Gavrin had run down the stairs when a bell tinkled. I could only assume it was this Celeste person who had been mentioned.
“And you’re just going to let us go about our business?” It seemed a little too good to be true.
But he nodded. Maybe it was true. Audrie was already willing to take it at face value and leave.
I paused. “Tell Councillor Carron I was asking after him, dear.”
With that, Kaed pushed us out the door and slammed it behind us.
A nervous laugh escaped Audrie, and she linked my arm as we headed for the front door.
“Actually, on second thought. We need to get those washed.” She wrinkled her nose as she dropped her arm from me and took a step back.
“Ha! I thought you said the scent masked it!” I was a little mortified. If her human nose could pick it up, I cringed at what Kaed and Gavrin had noticed.
“Come with me.”
Despite the creases still furrowing her nose, she took my arm again and smiled up at me. I offered a weak smile of my own as she led the way.
Audrie’s future and fate now rested with me.
Kaed had made that clear. That was as much for her benefit as mine.
If she didn’t play her part, according to his rules, she would pay for it.
He wouldn’t hurt her. Not physically. I didn’t think so anyway.
But taking her studies, her liberty from her …
I had a feeling that would be more painful than anything else he could do.
He knew already, from when she had shielded me from his wrath, that she cared for me.
And I for her. I couldn’t explain it. My younger sister, Leesha.
She was like her. But there was more to Audrie.
There was a kernel of fire in her. She had the potential to blaze out of control.
Something my sister didn’t have. And I think I felt kindred to Audrie in that way.
Two very different flames in the same fire. Ready to burn if needed.