Page 60 of Enchanted Shadows
I took a big step forward, so much so that we were almost touching. “So tell me what hurts. Why it hurts. Where it hurts. And we’ll fix it together, yeah?”
She looked into my eyes. For a small moment, I thought she’d do it. I thought she’d tell me everything. But then she turned and ran before I could say anything more, shutting me out yet again. “I’m sorry,” was all she said over her shoulder.
I let out a sigh. I’d been close. Part of me wanted to chase her down and carry her into my cabin, forcing her to tell me. But I wanted her to be able to tell me on her own terms. I grabbed my socks and boots and began walking toward the wall. I needed to talk to Miles and Team One. I’d play the long game and wait her out, but like hell would I let her quit and leave for Nerede.
CHAPTER 19
Imet with Team One to talk about their role in the final maze trial the next morning. By the time I made it over to the castle to meet with Jorah afterward, I was sore and tired. My shoulder blades ached, my neck as well. It was rest day. The women were all supposed to be resting and relaxing. And here I was, prepping and putting out minor fires. When we were on our month break in a few weeks I vowed I would sleep then. Maybe, if this didn't take too long, I could still get a decent night's sleep.
Jorah and Krew were finishing up in the throne room, so that was where I went. I hoped this meeting could be done in twenty minutes or less.
It was funny how a single room could hold so many past horrors and feel entirely different once the person responsible was gone. The throne room had been repainted, reoriented, and changed so much that it barely felt like the same room. Jorah had demanded the dais torn down, and the thrones be moved in front of the windows. I suspected it was so that she could look out the windows when she got bored in parliament sessions.
“Owen,” Keir called, lightly bouncing his daughter in his arms.
“Miss me already?” I asked as I finished walking over.
“Always.” Keir shot me a grin. “Without you around to compare, I seem less handsome.”
I flopped my head to the side dramatically. “The wingspan is compensating for something, isn’t it?”
Esta snorted a laugh and then broke into giggles.
Keir said something to her telepathically which had her laughing even harder.
“You look like hell,” Jorah said to me as she finished up with a parliament member.
I put my arms out dramatically. “Anyone else want to take a shot at me?”
“Leave the man alone,” Krew barked at them all. “He’s been pulling damn long hours for something we asked him to do.”
I gave him an appreciative nod. “I just need to know the plans for the celebration, then I’m out of your hair again.”
Jorah became very excited, talking animatedly with both hands about fittings and dresses and making them somewhat match like guard formal wear, but quite honestly, after Esta joined in, I zoned them out a little. I wanted it to be special, but I would not be the one to make it so. That was up to Jorah and her team at the castle. I was more worried about keeping everyone safe and alive than I cared what the dresses looked like.
Ten minutes into their side conversation, a whiskey arrived for me wrapped in some navy magic.
I looked to Krew impressed.
“I keep a stash hidden in a cupboard in the back. Just in case.”
I grinned. “Thank you.”
“Why don’t you get out of here? Go get some sleep. I can personally deliver you a written plan for the ball. Sounds like we are still working out some of the finer details anyway.”
“Think they’ll even notice when I walk out?”
“Yes,” Esta and Jorah both snapped at the same time.
I lifted the whiskey to my lips. “Dammit.”
“How badly were the women rattled from the other night?” Keir asked.
I considered his question. Zara had been more affected than Wren, and that surprised me a little. “Not as bad as I thought.” I wasn’t sure what details Esta and Jorah knew. “They’re creative, I’ll give them that. They let them light the fire, so we had reason to hold the culprits.”
“Smart,” Keir grinned.
“We need to make sure we keep them together after training,” I reminded Krew.
