"Well, keep reading!"
We're both enraptured with the rest of the tale. While it occurs to me that I should tell her to rest her mind, I'm glad to see her in front of me, and I'm selfish enough to prioritize my enjoyment over her safety. She's followed her part of the bargain, and stopped herself from roaming Whitecroft with the power of her mind. I faced a hag who could have been crunching on my bones by now. We're both due for some reward.
At the end of the overlong chapter, I know it's time to end this. Part ways. Return to my parents' quarters and get some rest. I'll need it for what is to come.
I remain silent and unmoving, unwilling to voice the word that must be said. Goodbye.
How I despise that word. Loathe it.
"Will I see you tomorrow?" she murmurs.
If the sun rises in the east. If the ocean's capricious, and the desert cruel.
"If I can." I leave the book next to her pillow and walk away. At the door, I hesitate. "Have you heard that your mother has made me part of the high court?"
"Has she, now?"Vlari's secretive grin exasperates me. I suppose we're not past this nonsense. Teasing each other. Keeping secrets. Hiding.
"I'm told it's a small court. Just the family. It seems odd that she'd think to add me. I've only met her once."
I don't ask whether Vlari told her mother to include me. It seems too obvious. The question is, why? Did she suspect I don't feel like I belong to any of the lower courts? How could she? Even Vlari doesn't know me this well.
"I can't claim to know what happens in my mother's mind, but when immortals fell on us, you were protecting the folk. If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say that probably branded you as someone trustworthy."
So few words, yet so many twists of the tongue. I roll my eyes. "You know, if you don't feel like answering me, you could simply say so. There's no need for tricks."
She beams. “And what would be the fun in that?"
The Price of Time
Drusk
Igo back the next day, and the day after that. I must be a masochist to submit myself to that brand of torture. She does nothing but plague me, make me crave her, and drive me closer to madness.
I need her. I need to be far away from her. I need to taste her. Part of me wants to kiss her unmoving lips, but I’ve never been much of a necrophile.
I could take it up, though.
I’ve buried myself in my work over the last decade. Everyone is used to seeing me enter base at dusk and remain there until darkness fades on the horizon. In the last week, I’ve barely stepped foot there, taking reports when I pass by some rangers on my way to Whitecroft Hall. It’s not like any of us have a mission. The lords and ladies are in constant meetings, arguing the best ways to use the information I came up with.
I’m restless, and the only thing soothing me is her. She’s the worst kind of poison, a drug I can’t help going back to though I know it’s killing me.
Vlari is hardly calmer. I’ve updated her on everything I know. She has her ideas about our next logical course of action.
War.
Right now.
Without preparation, without seeking the elemental stones, without worrying about the usurper, without a scheme.
“I’m just saying, worst-case scenario, we lose. All the folk are dead. The land has been razed. At least they won’t be stuck here, suffering a slow death.” She sniffles. “I should never have locked us away.”
I grin. “You’re bored.”
“Terribly.” She pouts. I never knew she was quite this bloodthirsty.
“I must be dreadful at entertaining you.”
She eyes the book in my hands meaningfully. “It’s not about me, though. We need todosomething. I should wake up.”
