I stare after the Muchrah as she disappears into a tent. Soon, I’ll ask her about helping me with Tersah’s flowers.
When we arrive at Hector’s tent, Tersah smiles at me before stepping away, leaving me alone in front of Hector’s makeshift home. I inhale before pushing aside the tent flap and walking inside. Hector glances up from his desk and nods at the chair facing him.
I move to it and quickly slide into the seat, and before he can speak, I say the words. “I know those crows belong to you.”
A smile pulls at his mouth as he leans back in his chair and folds his arms, covering the hissing serpent on his surcoat.
“Do you use them to spy on me?” In truth, I don’t care how he uses them. I just want to hear his voice.
“No. They are there to watch over you.”
“I can defend myself.” Especially, when I have bloodstone. I shake free the thought, knowing I have no wish to use Bloodstone magic until I learn how to use those flowers.
“I know, but you cannot fault me for being worried about you, Sol.”
He’s right. I cannot fault him for that.
“You owe me something,” I say boldly.
“I’m aware.”
I make a sweeping motion toward him. “If you do not bed me today, I will perch on your lap until you do.”
Another smile breaks across that beautiful mouth of his. “I look forward to you sitting on me, Sol.”
“I may be naked.”
Merriment twinkles in his eyes. “I have no doubt that before this day is over, you’ll be naked on my lap.”
Warmth rises from the pit of my belly as I imagine sitting naked on him.
“Did you drink Mildred’s tonic?” he asks after a moment.
I nod.
“Good.” He flips through the parchment in front of him, his attention caught on them as he continues. “I hope it helps you.”
“Did you kill him?” I ask, the urgency in my voice as razor-sharp as a knife’s edge.
“Who?”
“Jerrod.”
“No. He ran away like a coward,” Hector says, his anger burning like a fire stoked by a strong wind.
Disappointment stabs through me, intense and sudden. I release a breath, heavy with the frustration of a brewing storm, one that’s gathering within me. It strengthens every day Everly is with that monster, Jerrod.
“Did you see Everly?” I twist my fingers together, needing things to be different, needing her to be standing in front of me.
“I didn’t.”
Sadness reaches in, gripping my heart with an ironclad fist as I hunch forward, thinking about what she must be going through.
He shuffles the parchments and speaks again. “Thank you for helping with the wounded.”
“I’m happy to help.” Hopefully, he hears the sincerity in my words.
My thoughts shift to last night. “Tell me about the relic. Did you find out anything?”
