Page 17 of Of Wolves and Wives

It’s all I can do to nod as she retreats from the room, taking all but one of the maids with her. I stare after her for a long moment, trying to make sense of what just happened. Whoever that was … it wasn’tmyLyra.

It takes me another minute to realize Rykker is standing in the doorway, hovering in the space as he watches me.

Glancing from him to the maid still with me, I call her over.

“Would you be so kind as to send for more plums,” I ask.

Her eyes flicker to Rykker as uncertainty crosses her face.

“I’m not supposed to leave you alone with him,” she says.

“I promise nothing will happen.”

“But—”

“Would you rather me tell Helena that her child was left to starve in my womb?” I ask, hating the way I see fear fill her eyes at my words.

“Of course not, miss. Right away.”

Dropping her eyes, she hurries from the room as Rykker steps back to let her passed.

As soon as she’s out of earshot, Rykker slips inside. Keeping the door cracked, he moves to stand by my side. Like Pierce, his very presence seems to relax me, and I nestle further down into the bed.

Exhaustion tugs at me, but I resist it. This could be my one chance to exchange words with Rykker. To know what he’s thinking.

“That was strange, wasn’t it?”

“She’s supposed to follow your orders.”

“I meant Lyra.”

“Ah,” Rykker says, his eyebrows lifting. “Yes, she seemed veryattentivetoward you.”

“She was, but it didn’t feel right. She was never like that before … and the last time we spoke. Well, let’s just say we didn’t part ways on good terms.”

“Oh?”

I frown, worrying the sheet between my fingers before meeting Rykker’s gaze again.

“She told me that she never wanted to see me again. That she couldn’t believe she ever thought we were friends.”

“Did she, now,” Rykker mutters, his own brow furrowing.

“Perhaps I’m imagining things, but everything about her just feels off.”

“Trust your instincts, but don’t let her get to you. I’ll see what I can find out about her.”

“Thank you,” I say, his offer easing my mind.

He nods once in acknowledgement before tilting his head slightly to the side.

“When did you see her last?”

I hesitate before answering.

“The night … the night the Grey Prince took me.”

Rykker lets out a low growl at this, his jaw working beneath his mask, and once again I can’t help but wish I knew what was hidden beneath it.

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