Page 34 of A Kingdom of Destruction

Strange.

Aven slowly pushed back the covers. Their interaction felt almost normal after two days, and the comparison spread alarm through her system.

Nora chose another dress from the armoire for the day, this one a light shade of green like the first garden growth. “To bring out the shades of emerald in your eyes,” she said when Aven asked her about the pick.

She’d never cared about those things before.

The sleeves were once again tight against her skin, but the skirt had pleats in the front that allowed her more movement than the constricting garb she’d seen her sisters wear on too many occasions.

And no corset.Thank gods.

“Why are you so nice to me, Nora?” Aven probably shouldn’t have asked the question, and it birthed on her lips regardless. “It seems to me like your kind hates mine, but you’ve been kind. Probably kinder than I warrant.”

She’d done her best to be civil, but not by much.

Nora’s hands stilled where they pulled the ribbons of the back of the dress tighter across her shoulders. She finally resumed her movements. “It doesn’t matter to me whether you are fae or mortal. It’s not for me to pass judgment on you.”

“I have killed more of your kind than I remember to count,” Aven said bitterly. She waited for the revelation to change Nora’s demeanor.

“You were out there fighting?”

Aven cleared her throat. “Yes. I led our men myself. Whatever I put them through, I did myself.”

She composed herself, knowing she’d said it in challenge, and wondering how Nora might react. If she would reveal her true colors.

“I am not part of the war efforts nor will I ever be. My place is here in the palace with the rest of my family,” Nora began. “ButI understand the desire to protect what is yours. And if anyone should come after my mother or sister, then I’d walk through fire and hell to make sure they were protected. If it were within my power to do so.” She dropped her voice to a near whisper Aven barely heard. “We are all just doing what we have to do to survive. Aren’t we?”

She patted Aven on the shoulder and shifted around to scrutinize the final picture.

Aven lifted her face, jerking when Nora reached out to pat her cheek tenderly.

“You’re free to go where you like in the palace. Crown Prince Cillian made sure no harm will come to you in his absence. Would you like a protector appointed to you, regardless? Would it help you feel more comfortable?”

Just like that, the subject had been changed, never to be reopened again.

“I’d feel happier to have a pack of wild boars watching over me. Or perhaps wolves, ready to maul their prey.” Aven muttered under her breath. “Those I know how to handle.”

Nora stifled a sniggering laugh.

“But it might be nice to have you walk with me. Cillian showed me a few things in the palace, but I don’t know my way around.”

Yet.

She was more likely to get lost in the first five minutes than stumble onto any sort of secrets. She didn’t want to die. No matter the dark thoughts that trickled through her on occasion, when the full reality of her circumstances hit home, Aven knew she wanted to live.

If only to one day slice her own blade across King Donal’s throat and watch the life gutter from his gaze.

The desire had blossomed along with the kernel of rage inside of her, the two of them twining together until they were all but indistinguishable.

Nora stopped again.

“I mean, unless you have other duties to attend to. I’m sure you’re rather busy,” Aven said in a rush. “You don’t have to stay around to babysit me.”

“I’m your lady’s maid. Which means I am yours to order in whatever manner you please. But I’d be glad to escort you around. If that’s what you wish.”

She couldn’t imagine being left to her own devices, or being allowed to wander the palace. Things did feel a little less huge, a little less heavy, with Nora at her side. The fae female moved on feather-light feet down the hallway and led the way down to the breakfast parlor where a spread waited for Aven.

She took her fill of the pastries and fruit, although she couldn’t ignore the way Nora stood at her side without eating. It felt awkward. But anytime Aven tried to get her lady’s maid to sit and join her, she was met with excuses or outright silence.

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