Page 109 of Between Soul and Vessel
I sighed.
After some arguing, Kaleb finally agreed to stay in his room, butonlyif Ryker left, which Ryker was fine with doing.
Ryker was a loyal, good friend, and the discord between him and Kaleb was uncomfortable for us all, although I understood it. Ryker had crossed a very big line with Fallon; still, I wanted to hear his side of the story. I also thought he should know about the effects of surrenderberries.
Lyra got up to accompany him back.
“It’s alright. I’ll walk him to his room,” I said, and she nodded. I looked to Ryker. “I was hoping we could have a word?”
“Alright,” he answered, voice like gravel.
We stepped out into the hallway, silence lingering between us. A few doors down, we entered Ryker and Lyra’s room. It was much like the one Von and I were staying in. I noted there was a bed made on the floor beside the actual one. Without a doubt, I knew Ryker was the one who had offered to sleep there so that Lyra could have the bed for herself.
I leaned against the wall beside a painting of rolling hills, my arms threading loosely over my chest. Oxygen rushed into my lungs as I stole a deep breath. “So . . . you and Fallon.”
Broad back facing me, Ryker plucked a jug of waterfrom a wood cabinet and poured some into a cup. “The whole thing is a mess, Sage. I like Kaleb; he’s a good guy. I never intended to hurt him or get between him and Fallon, but things . . . they just happened that night. I know it might sound unbelievable, but in some ways, I didn’t even feel like I was in control of myself. I don’t know what happened, and by the time I did, it was too late to take it back.”
“I know the feeling,” I spoke softly, watching as Aurelius’s ghost entered the room, gold ichor seeping from his wrist. He held it out in offering.
He’s not real,I reminded myself, looking back at Ryker.
The apparition disappeared.
I cleared my throat. “And no, it doesn’t sound unbelievable at all. Ryker, there’s something you should know. The berries you and Fallon ate that night might be partially to blame for what happened.”
Ryker turned to face me. He leaned against the counter, cup in hand. “What do you mean?” he asked curiously.
“Artemesia told us that there are berries called surrenderberries. They grow at the base of mountains, and they tend to loosen one’s inhibitions. If you and Fallon consumed them . . . it would have made it increasingly easy to give in to your wants.”
Ryker sat with that for a moment then said, “That would explain a lot of things. Still, it does not excuse our actions.”
“Although it does help explain them,” I countered.
“I suppose,” he answered. Lowering his cup, he peereddown at its contents.
Silence lingered.
I broke it. “So what do you plan to do about Fallon?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged a large, bulky shoulder. “She wants space right now as she tries to figure things out with Kaleb, so I’m doing my best to give her that, but gods,it’s hard.” He rolled his neck back, exposing his prominent Adam’s apple, and looked up at the ceiling, his eyes searching for answers among the exposed wooden beams.
“Give things time,” I suggested softly, kindly. “If you and Fallon are meant to be, then you will. And if she is meant to be with Kaleb, that means someone else is out there waiting for you. I know it might be hard to see right now, but things will work out as they are supposed to, Ryker. Have faith.”
“Thank you, Sage. I’ll try to remember that.” He gave me a small smile, his rich brown eyes lacking their usual vibrancy.
Ryker and I chatted for a bit after that until I remembered that Folkoln and Von were both alone and technically unchaperoned. If a maid or someone became aware of this, it wouldn’t bode well for the rest of us.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” I said to Ryker, before I left the room and returned to Harper’s.
I knocked lightly, then stepped inside. Kaleb was sprawled across the bed. A string of drool rivered down his cheek as he snored loudly—so loud it was a wonder the floor above hadn’t lifted off.
Artemesia was still awake but barely. She was telling astory to Harper and Lyra about the biggest fish she’d ever caught. Half of what she said was unintelligible. The three of them were seated on the floor.
I made my way over to them.
“Thanks for looking after her,” I said to Harper as I lifted Artemesia’s arm and hoisted her up on her feet. She wobbled at my side.
“No problem. How’s Ryker doing?” Harper asked.
