As the day progresses, Wrenley and I lose track of time. The sun sets, and the room grows dimmer. We light candles and continue our discussion. Servants even serve our dinner to us in the library. They provide us with hearty portions of roasted meats, a savory stew, and bread. The aroma fills the air and makes my stomach growl with hunger.
We set aside our work for a moment and indulge ourselves in the feast. After we finish, Wrenley brings Lila’s notes forward.
“I already spoke to Kheldar about Lila. He has agreed to not allow Lila’s husband into the palace.”
“That’s great.”
Wrenley nods. “If we really want to help her, we need Hector to annul her marriage to Solomon.”
“Oh.” I tear off a chunk of wheat bread. “Will Hector do that?”
“I don’t know.” Wrenley shifts and pours herself a goblet of wine. “You know him better than I do.”
The man I have gotten to know over the last few days would. “I’ll talk to him.” I stand and roll my neck. “I should go. Hector is probably wondering where I am.”
Wrenley takes another drink and nods.
“Will Kheldar be worried?”
Candlelight frames her features in a warm glow as she shrugs.
I curl my fingers around the top of my chair, thinking about her. “How long have you and Kheldar been married?”
“Two summers.”
“Did something happen?” I ask, even though I know I’m prying.
The same sadness from this morning shines in her eyes—that coal burning bright and crying out even when she cannot speak. “Good night, Sol.”
I nod several times and step back. I shouldn’t have pried.
A guard opens the door, and I move into the corridor. As I walk by a set of stone pillars, Lila falls into step next to me. Even though several days have passed, her skin is still swollen and bruised.
“My lady.” She lowers her head in respect. “I wanted to thank you for everything you have done for me.”
I turn to Lila with a smile, her gratitude warming my heart. “You don’t have to thank me. It is my duty to ensure your safety.”
She shoves her hand across her bruised cheeks. “Nobody has ever done anything this kind for me before.”
“Well, it’s my pleasure.” It doesn’t matter that she was born Bloodstone, and I was born Kyanite. We’re both women.
Joy shines in her eyes as she falls into a low curtsey. “I will do my utmost to earn such kindness, my lady.”
I nod, acknowledging her words, before continuing down the corridor. As I reach my bedchamber, I exhale a sigh of relief. It has been a long day, and the thought of sinking into my bed is too tempting to resist.
A smile lights my face as I climb on the mattress, lying next to Hector. The soft fabric of my pillow brushes against my fingertips as I splay my hands across it, feeling its coolness on my skin.
“Sol.” He reaches for me and pulls me against him.
“Did I wake you?”
“No, but even if you had, I wouldn’t have minded.” He brushes his fingers through my hair until he finds the braid at the back of my head. With a soft tug, he undoes the ribbon and unravels the strands. “Did you take care of everything you needed to with Wrenley?”
“I think so.” My thoughts shift to Lila. “There’s someone I need your help with, though. Her name is Lila, and she came to the palace for my protection. I want you to annul her marriage to her abusive husband.”
His expression quickly changes from peaceful to tense like gray clouds crawling across a blue sky. “Do you have proof of her abuse?”
“Yes.” A chill rattles my bones as the image of Lila’s bruised face flashes through my mind. “She’s covered in bruises.”
