Page 92 of Scourged

Quentin grunted. “Weird fucking night, I swear. I hope the goddess at least lets me nap some today.”

Sebastian murmured agreement but wasn’t truly listening. The man’s words, while nonsense, still raced through his head.

It was all likely nothing, truly just the words of a drunk or a madman. But Sebastian couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that it felt a bit like a threat.

He would tell Mariah about it, he vowed to himself. Not tomorrow; she was still recovering, and after whatever she did tonight to fix theallumewould likely need even more rest. But eventually, when she was ready, he would tell her.

And until then, there was no need to tell anyone else.

Chapter 36

The sun rose over the Attlehon Mountains, and Mariah looked for the golden eagles. For the first time in a long time, she felt at peace.

The morning spring air was chilly, but she didn’t bother with a blanket. She inhaled the smell of the mountains and the sea, the rays of the sun soaking into her pale skin. Her mind lingered on the conversation she’d shared with Liliane, on what she confronted in thelunestairpillars, on the visit she’d had from Qhohena the night before.

That visit from the goddess … it felt so different from the visits with Zadione. Less urgent, warmer. Which, she supposed was no surprise—it was a human reaction to be slightly unnerved by the goddess of death.

But there was a part of her, deep down, that couldn’t deny the strange feeling that grew every day.

Something inside of her wasn’t quite human.

She shrugged away the thought. Of course, she wouldn’t feel like a typical human; not anymore. She was only one step away from ascending into power that would grant her near-immortality. Her body was changing, her spirit expanding toaccommodate a life far longer than the one she thought she was born into.

A slap of wings pushed wind across her face. Mariah whipped her head, scouring the skies with narrowed eyes.

She sighed heavily. Nothing.

She would never get to see those damn eagles.

A clamor behind her sent her shooting from her chair, palming the hilt of the dragon-winged dagger at her thigh.

She relaxed when a head of golden curls strode into her sitting room, bearing a heavily laden silver platter. Mariah felt a genuine smile spread unimpeded across her face as her hand relaxed around her dagger. She took a step toward the balcony door just in time to see Delaynie, Kiira, and Rylla follow Ciana in, all bearing identical silver trays.

“Get over here, Your Royal Majesty! We brought breakfast food!”

Ciana’s clear voice rang through the living room, and Mariah’s grin widened as she pushed through the balcony doors. The other four women turned to her, all answering her grin with smiles of their own.

“Mariah!” Delaynie gracefully set her platter on the island before gathering her skirts, rushing to meet Mariah, her practiced poised momentarily abandoned. They collided in an embrace, tears springing into Mariah’s eyes.

“Hi, Del,” Mariah whispered, squeezing her friend tight. She’d been back for three days, but she hadn’t yet seen the second lady of her court. Someone had to keep the kingdom running, and Delaynie had placed her duty above her feelings. And for that, Mariah was grateful.

Delaynie squeezed back tighter. “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.” With a bit of reluctance, Mariah pulled away, meeting Delaynie’s crystal blue gaze. “Thank you for keeping this kingdom running while I was … gone.”

Delaynie smiled, tears falling down her pale cheeks. “Of course. Always.”

Kiira, Rylla, and Ciana waited beside the island, uncovering the trays of food and arranging them around the white marble. Mariah’s mouth salivated at the eggs, bacon, ham, winter pomegranates, and several loaves of fresh-baked bread. There was even a tray loaded with waffles, the pastries accompanied by warmed maple syrup and whipped cream. Mariah looked at Ciana, who met her glance with a smile and a slight nod before turning back to the food.

For the first time since arriving home, Mariah didn’t look at that food as a means to an end. A requirement to get strong again.

She looked at it with a desire to simplyenjoyit.

A piece of Mariah’s broken soul clicked back into place.

“Grab the plates, will you, Cee?”

Mariah leanedher head on the pillow behind her, a soft groan spilling from her lips.

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