Page 126 of The Storm of the Empire

“Maybe.” Hazel chewed her lip. “We’ve only just begun.”

“I’m spent, and my head hurts.” I looked at Faolan. “What did you have in mind?”

“Want to get a drink?” Faolan offered his hand to help me stand.

“It’s barely noon!” Hazel said.

I grabbed his forearm, letting him pull me to my feet. “A drink sounds good, actually. Especially since we have to sit in on the council for Jaxus later.” I checked my appearance in the windowpane, ignoring the dark circles. “I’ve never done so much paperwork in my life—and I worked in shipping!”

“I don’t envy you that either, mate.” Faolan looked at Hazel expectantly.

“You two go. I need—” She sighed and didn’t finish her sentence. “I’ll see you at the council meeting.”

“Okay,” I said to her back.

“Trouble in paradise?” Faolan asked like he didn’t already know.

“Yes and no. I want to go deeper, but she’s terrified.”

“Have you tried it alone?”

I shook my head. “And have her and Kiera telling me off?”

“I guess I wouldn’t want them on my case either.” Faolan led the way to our favorite tavern, the Flaming Pegasus.

We got a couple of ales and found seats in the back. It was mostly empty due to the hour, so we could relax.

“What made you come find me?”

“I’d like to say it was merely to check on you, but Kol is not getting any better, so Jaxus wanted to see your progress.”

I sighed into my drink. “He won’t ask me himself, will he?”

“Not with Kiera and Hazel playing guard dog over you.”

“I thought Kiera wanted Nyx better.”

“She does, but she’s torn, and they won’t do harm to you to save someone else.” He put his foot up on the bench, watching something over my shoulder.

“So they sent you?” I asked, finding it kinda funny Jaxus didn’t want to anger his mate so he sent Faolan.

“I’m the favorite scapegoat. Haven’t we been introduced? And I don’t mind saying what needs to be said. In fact, I prefer it. I’d much rather get it out in the open than deal with the elephant in the room.” Faolan wasn’t like anyone I’d ever met. He swam against the current and he preferred it. If there was a system to butt, he was doing it.

I actually admired him for it. “What would you do?”

“You don’t want my advice,” he teased goodheartedly.

“Why not?”

“Because my advice generally gets one banished or excommunicated or the like.”

“One day, you’re going to have to tell me stories.” I banged my head onto the back of the booth. “Give me your advice even if I shouldn’t follow it.”

He closed one eye and hesitated. “If I get in trouble with your mate…”

I waved him off. “I will take all the blame for my own actions.”

“Why are you letting any of them dictate your magic?”

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