Page 138 of Artemysia
Riev is gone.
“A storm rages in the thundercloud gray of his eyes.” - Delphine
Do I search the manor? If I leave, the guards will know Riev escaped, and he doesn’t need to be in more trouble than he already is.
I need air, so I draw back the curtains to the open window. A fingernail moon hangs in the night sky next to a half-moon. Both Major and Minor Moon have risen. The familiarity of their respective copper and lavender illumination offers a bit of comfort in this strange kingdom. The shutters are open, and while the climb is steep, I could probably make it if I had to.
If Riev’s legs were still numb from the drugs in his scotch, he could have slipped. Bracing myself in case I see his crumpled body on the lawn, I take a quick peek over the ledge of the window.
Nothing. Whew.
Riev must have escaped.
I slip a small knife from my trunk since I lost Ivy’sdagger. I feel safer with a blade under my pillow when sleeping alone in an unfamiliar place.
There’s no reason to undress before crawling into bed—Riev isn’t around to tell me I’ll dirty up the bed in my “outdoor” clothes. It’s been a long, incredibly exhausting night, and I can’t stay awake any longer. Wherever he went, I know he would never ditch me. I just need to close my eyes and absorb what I’ve learned this evening. It changes everything Riev and I have ever known.
Will it change everything between us?
Maybe I should’ve told him before how I felt about him.
In case there isn’t another chance to do so.
What will he do now? Will he accept his status as nephew to King Foss and heir to Artemysia? My strategic brain can’t help but admit this would be the best possible choice for him. Though, the best strategic choice for me may have been to take Toryl’s offer.
I spin the knob of the gas lamp until it’s completely dark.
As I lay there debating whether I should stay the next day or take what I know and get back to Throg and Ivy, the crunching of wooden ivy branches outside the window has me bounding off the bed. I slip my knife from under my pillow and press my back against the wall beside the shutters.
The curtains shift, and a dark figure clambers over the edge and lands softly on his feet.
The moonlight illuminates a silhouette with a knot of dark hair.
Tension breaking, I lower my knife. “What were you doing out there?”
My voice startles Riev and he whirls around, striking my hand. My blade clangs across the room, spinning under the bed.
“Delphine?” A storm rages in the thundercloud gray of his eyes.
“What’s the matter? Are you hurt?” I’m relieved to see him. He seems to be in one piece, albeit furious.
“What’s the matter? After you chose the prince?” he murmurs dangerously, stalking away from the window, backing away from me.
“No, I didn’t—”
“Did you enjoy the sex? Then the romantic dancing after?” He keeps his voice low and controlled, as if it pains him to say it and he’s bracing against the hurt.
“Oh, that’s right. We’re not on a mission or anything. You know we’re here to play a role,my lord?” I bite back, making no attempt to mask my sarcasm. “I understood when you flirted with Toryl’s cousins at the start of the night. To gatherinformation.”
“Did you fuck him?” He bristles, and his fists ball up by his sides. He’s going to punch the wall.
“Of course not!” My voice rises, incensed that he would think such a thing.
“Why did you send me away?” he growls, his tone accusing.
“To save us both fromprison. Stop being an ass. Why are you climbing the walls?”
“I went to burn down the fucking palace to rescue you.”
