Their lips spread wide into an annoying grin. “Good morning, Candice. Are you gong somewhere?” Laithe asks smoothly.
I groan.
“Did you take a wrong turn?” They look over their shoulder.
“It’s six in the morning,” I grumble, crossing my arms like a stubborn child.
“You act as if I woke you.” Laithe’s reddish skin is brighter than usual, their horns shiny.
I shrug. “Why are you up? You should be sleeping like normal people.”
“You are currently my most important responsibility, and you are awake.”
“I was just going to check on my potions and be back before you even realized.”
Laithe snorts. “You agreed to these rules, remember?”
I wrinkle my nose. “Yes, but that was like a month ago.” Three weeks and three days to be exact. “I can’t stay in here forever. My potions are probably ruined by now.”
“As I’ve told you, we have a competent ally looking over them.”
“Thompson is not exactly a potions master.”
“Are potions really more important than your safety?”
“Potions very well maybemy safety! They may be what stands between me and the Cosmic Council.”
Laithe tilts their head. “You don’t believe in our ability to protect you?”
One of Jarron’s security measures was to assemble a few allies to watch over me. Thompson, Manuela, Laithe and Stassi. Mostly, it’s Laithe, though. I think because they have a magical link, so Jarron can get moment-by-moment updates on my protection.
“For now? Sure. But one day, I’m going to face them again, and I need a means of defense.”I need a means of attack,but I don’t say that part out loud.
“Well,for now, you need to stay back there.” Laithe points behind me, back to Elite Hall. They’re right. I know it. I’m supposed to stay here because it’s safe. But I’m also right that potions are important. I need to have access to my only form of magic and protection.
“What happens if I just… run past you?”
I recall the time I tried to enter through the Minor Hall wards to approach the makers of the Akrasia Games—the Cosmic Council. Jarron slammed me against the wall and growled, “Don’t you fucking dare.”
At the time, it was frustrating, but thinking about it now does strange things to my body. Laithe wouldn’t dare do that to me.
“I wouldn’t so much as touch you, but I’d alert Jarron.”
My stomach sinks. “Is he—”
“He is well. Stressed but in no danger. However, he fears his absence from the palace will put his family and people at increased risk. He will come here if needed, though.” Laithe lifts a brow, making the “threat” clear.
Jarron will return if I’m not following our agreement. And him coming back here is bad for the tension on his planet.
I sigh. I want Jarron to be here desperately, but I also don’t want him to increase his risk or make it easier for those assholes to take his throne just because I’m throwing a hissy fit about not being able to brew potions for a month.
My shoulders deflate. I take one last longing glance down the hall and then turn on my heel and march my butt right back into Elite Hall, accepting temporary defeat.
Laithe matches my pace with smooth steps and no comment.
The smile remains on Laithe’s lips, their steps light.
“You’re in a good mood,” I comment. Is it because they won our battle of wills? Or something else?
