“Seems like it.”
He rubs a hand over his forehead. “Vera?” he calls.
She turns around with fire still in her eyes.
“Could you come here please?”
She hesitantly makes her way over to us and shifts back and forth on her feet. “Is there something I can get for you?”
“So, it turns out Syra and I had a bit of a misunderstanding on our way here. See, we ran into some mylings.”
“Oh, that’s not good,” Vera murmurs, her confusion as to the relevance blatant.
“I took care of them. It wasn’t a big deal, really,” Sitri says, all arrogant nonchalance. “But—“ He clears his throat. “Syra was carrying a piece of theurgynate on her person, which made her see them in their true forms. So to her, they appeared to be children, so you can see how that would be quite--ah--confusing.”
Vera’s lips part.
“We have since worked it out but Syra says she may have said something to you that made you alsoconfused,” he says carefully.
Vera’s eyes dart back and forth between us as her face reddens. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t really think you would do something like that, Sitri. It’s just I haven’t seen you since—and with the way your father was—I mean, now you work for--“ She claps a hand over her mouth. “And, with her being a—“ She smacks her hand over her mouth again.
“A nought,” I finish.
She grimaces.
“It’s okay, really. It’s good to know Syra has another ally in this place where she has so few. I am grateful for that.”
It’s not until Sitri turns to meet my gaze that I realize I’m gaping at him. He cocks his head, and I quickly shut my mouth. His behavior is all so jarring.
Vera’s shoulders loosen slightly, and she nods vigorously. “She’s always welcome here in the kitchens. The both of you are,” she corrects.
“I could certainly use any aid in looking out for her I can get. She is increasingly difficult to keep alive.” He turns, lip curling. “Though that’s mostly her own doing. She is very crafty, Vera. She crafted a rope out of her blanket to climb down the balcony. And, then, she ran off to the Blood Wood of all places and almost got herself eaten.”
“Does she really need to know all that?” I hiss.
“Oh, yes. I think she should know exactly how capable you are despite your rather innocent-looking face. And, in case you get any bright ideas about having Vera bust you out of here,” he says all too knowingly. There’s a streak of panic slashing across Vera’s face. Likely wondering if Sitri is aware that she’s already attempted to aid me in escaping but I would never throw her to the wolves like that.
“You should know, Vera, I’m only trying to keep her safe. It is dangerous for her here with her being a nought which is why my door has remained locked.”
I sulk into my plate, wondering why in the hell I decided to confide this in him again. Vera could’ve been useful for me. She definitely won’t be now. “How many times is it I’ve saved you now?”
“Can’t remember,” I grumble.
“I believe it’s been four times at the least.”
“How will I ever repay you?” I ask sardonically. Vera snickers, and I flash her a grin. I already liked her before but I definitely like her now.
Sitri rolls his shoulders and cracks his neck. “You don’t owe me a thing, princess. It was my honor to save you from imminent death.”
“Not sure if it’s worth all your gloating.”
“Fine. I’ll make you a deal. You can repay me by trying this.” He gestures to some sort of pastry on his plate. “And I will never gloat about it ever again.”
I blink. “Really? That’s it?”
“Just a bite,” he says, tearing off a piece.
I narrow my eyes. “What’s the catch?”
