Page 76 of Once the Skies Fade

“Fucking rumors,” I muttered, and grief’s grip on my throat shifted, falling into my chest where it ignited into rage. I gritted my teeth, as if actual flames might burst out of me if I opened my mouth.

“No offense, Calla,” he said, smirking. “But you look like you want to burn a whole kingdom down.”

“Not the whole kingdom,” I seethed. “Just those forcing me into this mess. They all think I killed him. I can see it on their pathetic faces.”

Asher shrugged and leaned forward onto his legs one more time. “Well, did you?”

I opened my mouth to deny it, but no sound came out.

My tongue grew heavy, my mouth going dry.

My breath stalled. My chest splintered under the weight of the words I couldn’t utter.

Tears stung my eyes. I dropped my face to hide them, staring down at my empty hands.

I was about to summon my shadows—which had at least remained leashed despite the emotional surge—but Asher was now kneeling in front of me, his hands closing around mine.

“If anyone understands this guilt, Calla, it’s me.”

I shook my head. We may have shared this grief of losing someone, but his circumstance was different. Hehadbeen responsible for his loss, and he beat himself up over it—guarded himself because of it—despite it being an honest accident. But I couldn’t explain any of this to him.

I never should have made that deal with Minerva. What good was knowing who had killed Brennan, when I couldn’t do anything about it? Sure, I’d paid the mage to curse them, but how could I trust that she had done it adequately?

“Calla,” Asher said, squeezing my hand once more. “Whatever you need, you can always call on me. Want me to burn the Assembly to a crisp?”

This time when I shook my head, I at least managed a slight chuckle.

“Tempting,” I said.

“I mean it.”

“I know you do, but you’ve got your next job.”

“True. And it may be a long one from the sound of it, but if this all goes to shit—more than it already has—send the word.”

“I wish I didn’t have to do this,” I whispered.

Asher scratched his chin again and stared into the fire. “Understandable. But it’s not completely hopeless. Matthias could be a good choice. If he can survive without my help, that is.”

“And assuming he’s not here to kill me,” I said, smiling weakly.

“Just a small detail,” he said. “Let’s hope that’s not the case.”

Chapter 37

Matthias

Being poisoned wasn’t all that bad—like a bad hangover without the initial enjoyment.

At first it was like being rocked to sleep, rhythmic swaying as I sank deeper and deeper into peaceful darkness.

And then it ceased.

How long ago, I didn’t know. Unlike my room in the castle, my subconscious had no giant clock available. But the rocking had stopped long enough for me to find a new comfort in the stillness.

Here in the warm darkness, there were no enchanted plants trying to strangle me, no asshole fae trying to kill me, no dragon shifters trying to eat me.

But it wasn’t completely peaceful, as my thoughts spiraled into a chaotic mess.

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