“I am grateful you tried.” Knots tighten in my chest as I attempt to make sense of the Seer’s cryptic words. I do not have time to be patient. Too many things hang in the balance.
He runs his fingertips down the length of my arm. “When we get to the palace, you should rest.”
I close my eyes and Mother’s image appears—bright and beautiful. It’s too painful to imagine her keeping such a large secret from me. Surely, if she wasn’t the woman who brought me into this world, she would have told me.
As we ride through the city, Leah pulls her horse next to mine. “Thank you for healing Hero.” Her focus shifts to the Carnelian riding in front of us and lingers for a beat before drifting away.
“It was my pleasure.” Hero has done a lot for us. Healing him was the least I could do. I just wish the spell hadn’t taken so much from me.
Soon, I’ll have no choice but to renew myself. I feel it in every fiber of my being. That need. That urgency to slip into the pool and allow it to wash away my darkness.
ChapterTwenty-Seven
We leave the cottage behind and head toward the center of the city. Like earlier, people call out and wave as we ride by them. We don’t stop until we reach another wall surrounding a palace. Its thick walls are punctuated by more arrow slits and imposing battlements.
The gate creaks and groans as it’s raised, and we ride into the inner courtyard.
Hector turns to his men. “We will feast, then sleep here tonight.”
Relief surges through me as I think of sleeping in an actual room instead of a tent. I even envision a huge tub full of warm, herb-infused water.
As we step into the palace, I look around. The interior is just as majestic as the exterior. Intricate tapestries adorn the walls, and torches line the marbled hallways, casting sputtering shadows on the marble floor.
The smell of roasted meat and freshly baked bread wafts through the hallways, making my stomach growl again. Any louder and everyone will think I’m starving.
Kheldar approaches with a short, petite woman. She has long, curly black hair, bronzed skin, and brown eyes. A silver coronet marks her as nobility. Or at least, I think it marks her as such.
A fur-lined cloak shrouds her shoulders, striking the right balance between wealth and concealment. Maybe she wants to hide in it.
Or maybe I’m just weary from traveling, and I’m overthinking everything.
“Welcome. We have prepared bedchambers for all of you,” Kheldar says. “I’m sure you would like to refresh yourselves before we feast.” He nods at the woman. “Wrenley will show Hector and Sol to their bedchamber, and I’ll help everyone else.”
Wrenley turns and angles toward the stairs. Hector and I follow. She leads us up a winding staircase, down a wide corridor, and to the third door on the left.
The spacious bedchamber boasts a massive bed and a roaring fireplace.A deep shade of blue covers the walls. Sheer curtains, of the same color, canopy the bed, and blue pillows are scattered around it.
Wrenley points to a door on the far side of the room. “The washroom is through there. I left clothes for both of you.”
The washroom?
Her kind eyes meet mine. “I hope you don’t mind if your cotehardie doesn’t fit you perfectly. I could only base your size off mine.”
Excitement thrums through me at the thought of wearing such an elegant gown.
“I’m sure it will be perfect,” I say.
“Thank you.” Hector takes my hand and guides me further into the bedchamber. “We’re grateful for everything.”
“I wanted to offer you something grander,” Wrenley says to Hector. “But Kheldar said you don’t like to be fussed over.”
Hector nods. “Kheldar is the one who prefers such things. Why do you think he’s the one who lives here?”
“Because he likes extravagant and grand things.” She tries to offer a smile, but it falls short.
“Are you unwell, Wrenley?” Hector asks, the concern thick in his voice.
She runs a shaky hand against her surcoat. “I’m well enough.” With another quick brush of her hand against the material, she steps toward the door. “We will see you both in the dining hall.”
