“That’s not right,” Evie whispered, regretting it as everyone turned their attention to her. She did her best to ignore them, focusing on Natalya. “Varro sent them.”
Everyone was silent. Aleksander moved closer to her. “Are you sure?”
Evie’s breathing turned rapid, but Natalya’s hand squeezing hers calmed her enough that she could speak.
“They said Varro wanted me back and that the Court of Chains would be busy with the ferals they herded to your borders. And then they—”
A wave of nausea hit, thinking about what Natalya had interrupted. She only just managed to keep herself under control, but she couldn’t stop her breathing from getting shallow again.
Natalya put her arms around her, holding her tight, and the act made it possible to slow her breathing before it turned panting. Seeing it, Aleksander frowned.
“How are you doing that?”
“I’m wondering that myself,” Natalya said. “It’s not important right now.”
“Itisimportant. I don’t think it was just a common slave you rescued, Natalya. Not even her being a Seraphic can explain such a concentrated effort to get her back. Herding ferals like that is risky and costly. She’s important to Varro.” He looked at Evie again. “Why are you important?”
“I don’t know. I swear,” Evie said. “He liked when I danced. That’s all.”
Aleksander narrowed his eyes. He didn’t look away from her.
“Natalya, you said you first saw her because she was the entertainment for your meeting with Varro, yes?”
Natalya’s eyes widened slightly. “Did Varro often do that to you, Evie? Made you dance while he had meetings?”
That wasn’t all he’d done. He’d done so much worse to her in front of guests.
“He made me do a lot of things.”
Natalya’s eyes filled with strands of scarlet. She turned back to Aleksander.
“She knows something. There’s something she saw or heard that he doesn’t want others to know.”
“Then he’ll keep coming for her,” Aleksander said, and panic surged through Evie again. She knew how scrupulous and patient Varro could be. If he wanted her, he would get her. Maybe not in the near future, but Varro had eternity to work with. And he wouldn’t stop.
Aleksander looked around the apartment.
“She can’t stay here. Not when it can be so easily breached. We’ll keep her at Court. She can stay in one of the nightrooms.”
“No,” Natalya said. Aleksander raised an eyebrow.
“Forgive me for placing her security over her comfort. She’s bringing an angry King to our borders. She’s a liability.”
“We’re not putting her in a cell, Aleksander.” Natalya caressed Evie’s cheek. “Evie will stay with me.”
Natalya ran a finger over her lips. It had become a soothing movement. Something that calmed her and made her thoughts slow down before they sprinted away into unease. And there was plenty to be uneasy about.
She was in her apartment, freshly clean and dressed. The injury from Stefano’s fangs had already closed. Down the hall, she could hear the shower running. Evie was still washing off, as she had been for several minutes. It would take more than water to remove the feel of Stefano and Austin’s hands. Time was the only real cure. Time and comfort.
Natalya wasn’t sure how much of either she could provide.
She had responsibilities that would keep her away, and she shouldn’t be the one comforting Evie. She needed protection, and Natalya’s high-rise apartment was near bombproof, but Evie should be with family and friends. Only she had none of the first and few of the second.
Even knowing Natalya wasn’t what Evie needed, the prospect of not being near her summoned a dull ache in her chest. More of that unfamiliarly intense concern.
The shower turned off, and a few moments later, Evie came into view. She was wearing what Natalya had set out for her. Pajama pants and an old, long-sleeved t-shirt. The clothes had been on Evie’s bed in her apartment. Natalya made sure to bring it when they left.
“How are you feeling?” Natalya asked.
