Page 131 of Riftborne
I began to dress, wondering how long I had until this Esprithe damned ball began.
As I approached the door, hushed murmurs echoed from the other side. Pressing my ear against the rugged wood, I waited tohear them pass. The last thing I needed was to be caught sneaking out of the General’s quarters.
I closed my eyes, focusing on the voices from outside. Both were female, and one sounded familiar… I just couldn’t put my finger on it.
“Poor girl. Hasn’t she realized that he just craves a conquest?” I heard one of them whisper. Blood Clot. Anger stormed through my gut and I felt my fingers curl into clenched fists.
In my periphery, a dark shadow flew across the corner of the room and my head shot to the left, freezing the breath in my chest.
But nothing was there.
I let my face fall into my hands. Was I going crazy? Were my emotions driving me to this place of paranoia—one that could prove to be the deadliest of distractions? Or was it the unanswered questions… The ones that played in the back of my mind more often than I cared to admit?
I ran my hand through my unkempt hair and steadied myself.
Laryk had been clear with me about his feelings toward monogamy. I wasn’t an idiot to think we would ever be… something more, but he had called me important. And different. And said those beautiful words that were seared permanently into my brain.
I spun, pressing my back into the wooden door. My emotions had nearly destroyed me over the last few days. There was no point in letting myself wander into impossible fantasies. Even if this was fleeting, even if it was more to me than it was to him... Perhaps I could accept that.
Taking a deep breath, I replayed the words over and over again in my mind, trying to convince myself of their truth.
But my insides ached at the idea. I couldn't even lie to myself anymore.
I was falling, tumbling, spiraling for this man, and that feeling was terrifying. Hope was terrifying.
I never used to let myself do it.
My head leaned back against the door as I steadied myself. I’d be the one by his side at the ball tonight, however poor the timing may be. A part of that made me feel better, but I wasn’t sure if it should have.
My fingers edged the door open, and I crept down the hall, quietly rushing towards the initiate’s quarters.
A change of clothes was undoubtedly necessary.
As I neared my room, my pace slowed.The door was ajar.Esprithe sake. Had I really not closed it properly last night? A wave of annoyance rushed through me as I replayed the drunken steps I’d taken to the courtyard.
My decision-making skills had clearly been at their best since leaving Luminaria.
I shook my head, bounding forward and slamming the door open the rest of the way before jumping back, lowering myself into a defensive position. Someone was in my room.
“Are you going to attack me?” I heard the bubbly voice crack before bursting out in full laughter. My heart swelled, and I ran to find a head of perfectly primed curls sitting on the bed opposite mine.
“Osta?” I breathed, pulling her into a hug. I hadn’t seen my best friend in weeks.
“Are you surprised?” She sang as I released her. Her hair bounced in spring-laden ringlets as she hopped around the room. “I was hoping to surprise you last night, but you were nowhere to be found,” she said, cocking her head and narrowing those aquamarine eyes.
“Care to divulge what bed you found yourself in?”
I felt my face flush and looked down, escaping her excited gaze. “Wait. How are you even here?” I asked, eyes shooting back up. I plopped down on the bed, crossing my arms, “Did you come here with the Soleil family?” I asked, a desperate attempt to distract her.
“Yes, well… Lord Soleil was summoned to Emeraal after the attack. Lady Soleil and I will be staying here while the Lord leaves with the troupes to Stormshire tomorrow,” she said, pursing her lips. My heart felt heavy. The thought of Osta anywhere near the West made me want to vomit.
“Wait. Do you know what’s going on?” I looked at the door, making sure it was closed.
“Well, they told me we were facing a threat we didn’t know much about, but that I would be perfectly safe. So, I assumed it couldn’t be that big of a deal.” She shrugged.
“They told you it was safe? Osta, it’s dangerous for you to be here. I know it’s not Stormshire, but it’s close enough.”
“Fia, you think everything is dangerous.” Osta’s exasperation was palpable, “The Lord assured me himself. No harm will come my way.”
