Page 88 of The Umbra King

“Cat,” Kit hissed. “What is wrong with you?”

Cat and Kit started arguing, and Max gave Rory a single nod. “Glad to see you up and around.”

“Thanks, Max.” She removed herself from under Asher’s arm and patted the old man on the shoulder. “I don’t think I’ll be helping in the gardens any time soon.”

He chuckled and pulled on his suspenders he’d paired with a bow tie. “You can take over when I’m gone.”

The chatter in their group died down, and they all remembered why they were there. “Shit, Ash. We’re going to miss you,” Kit said solemnly.

Asher swallowed and nodded, and when he spoke, his voice cracked. “I’ve been waiting for this day for decades. I should be happy.”

“But you’re not,” Bellina pointed out. She ran a soothing hand down his arm. “You’ll be free, and you’ll get to see your family.”

“I’ve been here for a long time, Bell. I don’t know what I’m walking into.”

“I don’t know what it was like thirty years ago, or I’d tell you the differences,” Rory said. “But you can rest well, knowing the notorious Butcher is off the streets.”

His smile was tight, and when he looked at her, his eyes shone. “I hope word gets around how great you are.”

“It will,” a man’s voice said from behind them. “Sera and I will make sure of that.” Bruce stood a respectful distance away andtipped his head at Rory. “I only regret that I won’t remember meeting you.” He looked at Asher before turning to leave. “Take care out there.”

When he was out of earshot, Cat asked around a mouthful of food, “Why’d you invite the new guy?”

Asher scratched his jaw and looked in Bruce’s direction. “He seems like a good guy, and he’s come in to work on our plumbing at the shop.”

“Where did you live in Erdikoa?” Rory asked Asher.

“Right outside of The Capital with my parents,” he replied. “Hopefully, they’re still alive. I’ll go see them first. Once I find a job, I’ll get my own place.”

“What do you want to do?” Bellina asked.

“I haven’t given it much thought,” he admitted. “What’s the point when I won’t remember, anyway?”

The longer Rory was here, the more she understood the only true punishment to be found in Vincula was knowing you would lose a chunk of your memories. Some, like herself, would be here an entire lifetime and have no recollection.

It terrified her, and by the look on Asher’s face, it terrified him, too.

After a few hours of mingling,laughing, and drinking a little too much, Rory’s body felt the effects of being out too long. Everything ached, and she hoped Bellina found potions at the pharmacy to heal her smaller injuries.

“It’s time for you to leave, Miss Raven,” Caius’ voice said over her shoulder.

Those around her stopped talking and watched the king as he placed a hand on her lower back to guide her. She hadn’t seen him in days, and her irritation flared.

“I don’t want to leave yet,” she fibbed, determined not to let him control her more thannecessary.

Shadows curled around her arm opposite Caius and assisted him in leading her away. “Wait,” she protested. “I need to tell Asher bye.”

Caius’ eyes hardened as they ticked to Asher before he nodded once. Rory hugged Asher’s neck, and he wound his arms loosely around her middle. “I’ll miss you enough for both of us,” she whispered in his ear, and he nodded into her shoulder.

“I may not remember you,” he whispered back. “But when I see your face or hear your name, my soul will know you’re good.”

She pulled back and swiped a tear from her cheek.

Caius’ hand found her back once more and directed her to the exit. “Did you fuck him?”

Rory’s eyes narrowed. “How is that any of your business?”

“Everything involving you is my business,” he replied smoothly. “Answer the question.”

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