Page 54 of The Shattered Rite
The guards didn’t speak, but one gave her a respectful nod.
Another stool was brought forth seemingly from nowhere, and Eliryn was seated with a plate of food in front of her before she could blink.
Nim hovered beside her, eyes bright.
“You really bonded with arealdragon?”
Eliryn nodded, mouth too full to answer.
“What’s it like?”
She swallowed. Then smiled.
“Like having a second heartbeat.”
She let that settle.
“Only… it argues with me.”
Marta huffed. “Never heard of such nonsense.”
Eliryn laughed softly. “He’s listening now, actually.”
She glanced down at the pendant resting warm against her skin.
“He says he can’t wait to try your bread.”
Nim beamed.
And the kitchen… softened.
Quiet. Calm.
For a little while, the kitchen felt like a sanctuary of her own.
But curiosity stirred.
She looked to Marta. “Are you happy here? Do you feel safe?”
Marta physically paused at her words.
Reven raised an eyebrow. Nim turned fully, as if anticipating the response.
“It’s work,” Marta said. “More than many have. We’ve food. Beds. But safety?”
She looked over her shoulder at the space the guards had vacated moments ago.
“That depends on which eyes are watching. And how much they fear what you might say.”
“The castle itself,” Eliryn said. “Does it feel… dangerous?”
Reven’s voice was low. “There’s always an air of unease here. But lately it’s thicker. Sharper. The king watches everything. He has spies no one ever sees.”
“Do you think the trials are making it worse?”
Nim hesitated. “I think…people go missing. Nameless bodies carried to the morgue. Everyone’s on edge.”
“The trials change people,” Marta said quietly. “There are rumors—”
