Page 94 of Cursed Evermore
Like King Varis’ knights. Tasked with protecting and dealing with people like me by executing them. “I see.”
“I will be guarding you.”
My mouth went dry. “Don’t you mean watching me?”
He smirked and raised his brows. “I suppose so. Between you and me, I’m the more lighthearted and less scary of the three of us. That’s perhaps the reason Lord Nightblade chose me.”
“I can’t imagine him thinking like that. He likes to scare me.”
“I assure you, you’d be more terrified with Bastian or Alaric, the other two members of the Bloodsworn. You met Alaric yesterday. He’s Wolfe’s brother.”
Brother.I was right theywererelated. “And Bastian? When do I get to meet him?” The question was a clever attempt to gather information.
“When he convinces himself you’re not a threat, and perhaps when you consider accepting Arielle’s apologies.”
The prickling sensation of guilt pulled on my insides at the mention of Arielle. I’d been hard on her, but I stood by my feelings. Everything was wrong here, including what she did. Regardless ofwhyshe did it.
“I’m not a threat,” I decided to say, ignoring the comment about Arielle.
“No, you don’t feel like one.” Although he smiled, scrutiny was still alive in his gaze. “I rather hate to break up this littlelesson on who’s who and what’s what, but our lord has requested your presence in his private study.”
My stomach clenched. What in the hells did Wolfe want with me now? After our earlier encounter, I’d hoped to avoid him for the rest of the day—wishful thinking. “Why does he want my presence?”
“I suppose to discuss the next steps. We’ll be in Galaythia soon.”
My spine tingled with sharp spikes. I hungered for that information. At the same time, I feared knowing it and almost wished I could seek the refuge of blissful ignorance.
This was where I needed to be brave.
Whether I was ready or not, it was time to face whatever came next. At least Wolfe offered the opportunity to know.
I straightened, pushing my shoulders back and nodded to Garrick. “Okay, take me to him.”
“Follow me.” He waved me forward and I followed, each step taking me deeper into the ship's shadowed corridors.
My heart counted down the beats until I faced Wolfe again.Boom, boom, boom, boom.It pounded in my ears, matching the rhythm of my footsteps.
This time when I spoke to Wolfe, I needed to stay focused.
Meeting with him now could be the first steps to finding my way back home.
Chapter 18
Elariya
“Between Mercy and Ruin.”
Garrick stopped before an ornate door with dark whorls carved into the aged wood.
I’d assumed the room Wolfe and I met in yesterday was his private study, but we ended up here at the other end of the ship, closer to the chambers.
My stomach squeezed the moment he opened the door. I’d expected to find Wolfe waiting inside for me with that menacing grin dancing on his lips. But he wasn’t there.
I scanned the room, searching for him just to be sure. My gaze touched the large mahogany desk in the center with the winged leather chair behind it and the walls with leather-bound tomes laid out on floating shelves. No. He wasn’t here.
Garrick led me inside and I took careful steps behind him, the floorboards creaking in tandem with my slow breaths.
“He’ll be along shortly. Just wait in here.” Garrick gave me a clipped nod.
