“I know what you mean,” Mila said. And I swore I tried to read the journal instead of listening.
The damn gates would not let me in but legend spoke of them and the ones who tell tales of legends whispered of it too so this must be it.
What gates was Lucidius on about?
Mila continued, “Being with a close-knit group reminds me of the early days in the army, but I miss getting to see new places. A mix of both would be nice.”
“I did miss my brother.” Neither acknowledged that the different lifestyles they discussed would force them to be separated. I didn’t think either wanted to accept that until the time came.
“Have you told him that?” Mila asked.
Lyria was silent for a moment.
“Lyr…” Mila prodded.
“No,” Lyria groaned, and a dullthunkled me to believe she’d thrown a pillow at Mila. “No, I haven’t. I’ve avoided more important conversations with him as I avoided the decision to retain my title since the war ended.”
“You do realize—” I cut myself off, not looking up from the journal.
“We know you’ve been listening, Warrior Prince,” Mila said.
I whipped my head toward them. “How?”
“You haven’t turned a page in minutes,” Lyria answered.
I groaned, but went on, “You realize that in not making a decision, you’re keeping the title?”
Lyria nodded. “I’m not ready to let it go, yet.” There was a hopefulness in her voice that I hadn’t heard since before the Battle of Damenal.
“What are you reading over there?” Mila asked, leaning across the table to swipe Lucidius’s journal.
“I’m looking for mentions of the sphinxes,” I said. “Lucidius had been in Firebird’s Field where we found the Bodymelder emblem. Had likely visited Brontain, too. I’m trying to map where he went in the desert and compare it to this book we stole from Ritalia.”
Mila and Lyria looked about to comment when a voice interrupted from the doorway, “There you are.”
I craned my neck to find Cypherion and Tolek waiting, the latter leaning casually against the wood and surveying the room.
Sitting up, I asked, “What are you guys doing?”
“Weare getting ready for tonight’s agenda,” Tolek said.
“Which is?”
His answering smile was almost too devious for my liking. “Pleasure house.”
My brows shot up. “That’s truly what everyone’s doing tonight?”
“Certainly is,” Tolek said, falling onto the couch beside me.
I looked to Cypherion who hadn’t moved from the doorway. “You’re going?”
He shook his head, jaw tense, and Tolek looked cautiously at him. I didn’t know what that was about, but all Cypherion said was, “Erista told Vale where she can get some unique tincture in the market. She’s going to take us. The Engrossians are going to stay back here with the fae. Jezebel and Santorina are going with them, though.” He inclined his head toward Tolek.
“And do I even dare askwhat’sat the pleasure house?” I asked.
Tolek smirked, “Well, Mali…”
“Fucking Angels,” I muttered.
