Page 74 of The Devil In Blue
I looked toward my shoulder, but not quite at her where she stood behind me. She was the only one so bold as to enter my space without knocking. And she’d been doing it since Briar disappeared. Since I had fallen apart. She was the only one to have seen me at my best and my worst and she remained by my side.
Maybe because I hadmadeher when I was at my worst.
I slowly turned toward her, finding her eyes momentarily fixed on my body.
“I assume the gripson was no trouble,” she said.
“They never are,” I said. “It was a small one. I have no doubt you could have handled it yourself or let the hounds loose.” I sighed. “Would have allowed me more time with Briar.”
“I didn’t want to take any chances and I thought you would want to focus more on your kingly duties.”
“My duties,” I scoffed. “You know my duties better than I do, do you?”
“Not at all. But for over a decade, you’ve been distracted—”
“Did you bring Briar back to her chambers? Is she well?” I asked, walking to a small table with a wine pitcher and glass sitting on a tray.
I poured myself a cup and sipped from it as Elanor contemplated her words.
“She’s in her room, yes.”
“Good. It’s been a long few days. Maybe she could use the rest.”
“So could you.”
“Indeed.”
Elanor continued to stand at my window, watching me as I sipped my wine. I glanced at her, waiting to know what more she needed to say.
“Speak your mind,” I said.
“It’s just… I wonder if you will continue to need my company now that she is here.”
“Your company. You mean when I sleep.”
The corner of her mouth quirked ever so slightly like she wanted to smile, but was forcing herself not to.
“No,” I said plainly. “I will not.” Her spirit seemed crushed by that response. “I appreciate the way you’ve consoled me these years, Elanor. You know that.” I took a few steps toward her, placing my hand against her cheek. “But my focus will be Briar, now. Now that we know the truth, I need her to be alright.”
“What about what she wants?” she said, a hint of tension in her voice.
“We don’t know what she wants yet.” I dropped my hand, gulping down the last of my wine and setting the cup aside.
“And if she chooses not to stay?” Her eyes flicked to a plain wooden door past my bed. The door didn’t fit. It was old and dull and unneeded now. Perhaps I had never needed it.
“I won’t imprison her if that’s what you’re asking,” I sighed.
Walking to a chair near my desk where I’d draped my clothes from the previous day, I fished out a fold of paper that was stuffed into one of my pockets. The sleeves of my coat were still crusty with Lucien’s blood. I would need to clean it to get the stench out or I’d have to throw the damn thing away. I would have no trace of him in my home.
Tossing the folded paper on my desk, I explained, “This is the deed to Lucien’s home in Cragborough. His signature was as boring as he was. It was easy to duplicate.”
“And?”
“And the estate is Briar’s… if she decides she does not want to stay with me.”
Elanor took a deep breath, carefully reaching out to take the deed. When she unfolded it, a small smear of blood had browned on the corner, but no one would care. Humans cared for nothing but the exchange of wealth.
“She would have security, then. If she were to return,” Elanor said.
