The Hematite glances at Kheldar for a beat, his eyes unreadable. Then, he walks through the door, his gait even, controlled, unaffected by Hector’s temper.
“Kheldar,” Hector begins. “Take care of the bodies.”
My focus moves to where Solomon lies, his body still curled into the fetal position. He deserved to die for what he did to Lila.
I stand there, rooted to the spot, as Hector strides past me and out of the room. Kheldar steps forward and kneels beside Solomon’s body as I pivot and follow Hector from the room.
* * *
As I ride next to Hector, I try to process everything. I hunted Solomon, then I killed him as soon as I had the chance. The part of me that wants to be light and goodness wouldn’t have done such a thing. I touch my hand to my chest, feeling my thundering heartbeat. Anger still smolders inside me.
Moonlight shrouds Hector’s face as he looks at me. “The Bloodstone people will never accept you if you murder their own.”
“He deserved what he got.” Leather digs into my palms as I tighten my fingers around the reins. “He slaughtered Lila.”
Hector’s mouth thins. “So, you skipped every bit of authority we have here, and you became Solomon’s judge, jury, and executioner?”
I fire back. “You did the same thing when that man attacked me in our bedchamber.”
“That’s different, Sol.Heattackedyou. Nobody attacks you!” Thunder booms from Hector’s words—enough thunder to destroy anyone who dares to touch me.
I exhale and look away—unable to process that right now. Not when I’m this angry.
“What of the other man?” Hector asks. “What was his crime?”
My veins freeze as I remember the man cowering in the corner. The one who fell and disintegrated the moment I cursed Solomon.
I push the memory away, instead focusing on the street in front of me.
“Why were you with the Hematite?” Hector asks after a moment, the edge of jealousy clear in his tone.
So, Hector knows about Jasce?
I shrug. “He seemed like he knew where to find Solomon. So, I went with him.”
“Sol…” Hector begins, his voice calmer than before. “…you cannot go into the city at night with Jasce. You especially cannot go into the city and murder people.”
I lift my chin, refusing to abandon my anger. “I did what I must.”
“I would have had Solomon arrested and then executed.”
Hector’s words linger as I continue to ride beside him, my fists clenching and unclenching. I know he’s right, but I cannot let go of the fury.
As we near the palace, the trees grow thicker, their branches reaching out as if they are trying to snatch us from our horses. The wind howls a mournful song, and I shiver despite the heat of my anger.
Hector and I ride in silence, the only sound the pounding of our horses’ hooves. I know he’s disappointed in me, but I don’t regret what I did.
The palace looms over us, its stone walls casting menacing shadows onto the ground. Hector dismounts from his horse and holds out a hand to help me from mine. I ignore it and jump down, my temper still boiling inside me.
Hector gives our horses’ reins to a stable hand and guides me inside the palace.
I wait until we’re alone in our bedchamber to move away from him. I hurry into the washroom and strip out of my clothes, needing to cleanse myself.
Maybe I can wash away the darkness too.
I grab the pitcher of water and step into the tub. This time of the night, I don’t expect servants to provide hot water. So, I use what’s in the pitcher, pouring it over my body like it can wash away my sins.
First, I couldn’t heal the woman in the kitchen. Now this anger. This smoldering.
