“Is that a command, lovely?”
“It’s a threat that if you don’t keep quiet, I’ll find a more permanent way to silence you.”
I click my tongue. “I’ve lost track of how many times you’ve threatened my life.”
“I’d say this arrangement is off to an above-average start,” she says, a half-smile creeping over her lips. “No matter how I act in public, let there be no question in private that all I feel for you is loathing.”
I lean closer so she can see the seriousness in my eyes. “The feeling is entirely mutual.”
She steps away and turns toward the opposite pathway. “Good luck finding your way out, my feral forest wolf,” she calls over her shoulder. “I look forward to our formal introduction feast tomorrow evening.”
By the mercy of the Divine, she doesn’t run. She just strolls away casually. I’m too proud to follow her, but she effectively led me to the center of the maze without my noticing all the twists and turns we took to get here.
I shouldn’t be surprised that she walked away. It’s what Carrenwells do.
Ten years ago, her family led the Drained to our gates and left us alone to die.
6
HARLOW
Istumble into the sunroom, panic clenching in my chest and pain throbbing in my head.
Gaven takes one look at me and reaches for the blade at his waist. “What did he do?—”
“Nothing,” I rasp, a hand finally coming to my head. “It’s?—”
“An attack,” he finishes, crossing the room to loop an arm around my waist. He hauls me down the hallway with surprising speed for someone his age.
I squint. Everything is lit with a bright halo that warps and bends as I move. It’s always the first sign of trouble, and the nausea and dizziness follow close behind. I only have a few minutes to find somewhere private to ride out the pain once the glowing starts. Because after fifteen minutes or so, the pain will grow from a hum to a roar.
I don’t know what causes the episodes, but stress certainly makes them worse, and the past day has been trying.
Servants scatter as we breeze down the corridor toward my rooms. The world starts to tilt and I stumble. Gaven drags me along faster, ignoring my grunted protest.
“How long ago did it start?” he asks as he climbs the stairs.
“Ten, fifteen minutes. I couldn’t just run off when I was expected towalk with Henry.” We pass the landing windows and pain lances my brain as I try to hide from the sunlight. “Hurry—I’m going to be sick.”
I want time to pick apart my first interaction with Henry, but my mind will not allow anything but the impending pain. It builds like a storm on the horizon, lightning strikes firing behind my eyes every time we pass the windows. A cold sweat rises on my neck and my stomach turns over.
Finally, we round the corner into the hallway that leads to my room. Gaven drags me the last few feet and then shoves me through the ornate bedroom door.
“Bed or washroom?” he asks.
“Washroom,” I groan.
He quickly crosses the bedroom and deposits me gently on the washroom floor. I press my cheek to the cool tile and moan.
“I’ll order ice.”
“Don’t forget—” My stomach heaves, and I sit up so quickly I almost fall over, making it to the toilet in time to hurl up my breakfast. I wipe my mouth and look up at Gaven. “Don’t forget to order something to drink with it. If we order ice without a drink?—”
He sighs. “The staff will sense weakness. I know. Last time?—”
“Last time you were lazy.” I don’t mean for it to sound so harsh, but I can’t stand for him to see me looking so weak. “You’re dismissed. Return with the ice and then keep everyone out of my rooms.”
He grunts his assent and leaves me alone with my agony.
