Page 22 of Mistress of Hours

“Excuse me,” she said with an attempt at a smile. She turned quickly and fled into the vast arboretum that surrounded the gardens proper.

Chapter Sixteen

Orion watched asEvienne disappeared into the crowd milling around the garden. This snake of a woman—her former wife, apparently—had clearly shaken her. Orion struggled to contain his anger over how she had treated Evienne. He turned to look at Cecelia, who had a deep scowl on her face.

“What a horrible woman,” she hissed.

“I was not expecting such rudeness from someone of her standing; a surprise indeed,” Jac mused.

“Is she always that awful?” Solon asked Cecelia.

“Unfortunately, yes,” she answered with a sigh.

“Excuse me,” Orion said, bowing his head to the group before striding after Evienne. He knew he couldn’t just let her go; she had clearly been upset. He found himself wanting to comfort her, to ensure she was alright.

He followed the path she had taken into the vast wooded area outside the manicured, eerily perfect lawn that hosted the party. This part of the garden was natural and full of seemingly untamed life.

He found her on one of the forested paths, surrounded by hundred year old trees and mossy ground. Red and yellow leaves caught the fading rays of the sun, and the sound of songbirds floated on the air.

“Evienne, are you alright?” He asked as he approached. She was flushed and breathing faster than normal.

“Yes, thank you. I am sorry you had to see that.”

“Why would you apologize for the rudeness of another? You did nothing wrong.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep, steadying breath.

“That is not exactly how I imagined you learning about my past,” Evienne said with a nervous laugh. “I honestly didn’t expect it to come up at all, and I don’t know why it is bothering me so much that you know now. It’s not as if whatever is between us can last beyond this month.”

Evienne’s words sent a jolt of sadness through Orion, but he ignored the feeling for now. He already knew he wanted more with her, but now wasn’t the time to discuss it.

“She had no right to speak to you that way, but please do not be embarrassed on my account. You don’t owe me any answers, but I am here to listen if you need me.”

Evienne nodded and looked at him then, shame written across her features though she was clearly trying to stifle it—it broke his heart.

“Dominique and I separated three years ago. Our relationship was one of the darkest times of my life.”

“Thank you for sharing with me, Evienne. Would you like to walk?”

Orion offered her an arm. He wasn’t all that surprised that she had been married before; she was an incredible woman who had lived a full life. He was glad, selfishly, that it hadn’t been the right fit for her; that they had a chance now.

Evienne accepted his offered arm, and they started down the lovely forested path in the late afternoon light. As they walked in silence, the urge to tell Evienne everything about the true reason for his trip to Ichorna returned in full force. Her honesty had him wanting to confide in her even more. Every moment he spent with her made him feel more sure that she would prioritize what was right over her loyalty to Ichorna. He was sure her curiosity, at the very least, would have her eager to help him find answers.

Now that he was here, he realized that to truly find answers, hewould need someone who had been here in Ichorna to observe—knowingly or not—what may be happening. He and Solon had discussed the possibility of finding someone on the inside to help them in their search; perhaps Evienne was the right one for the job. His longing to be open with her, to trust her, further stoked his suspicions around who she may be to him, no matter how impossible it seemed. He would never know without his magic though, and he felt the ache of sadness at the thought.

He suddenly found he had made his decision. Caution and withdrawal had not gotten his people any closer to restoring their magic. He had an opportunity here to make things right, and he would trust his intuition.

“Evienne, there is something I’d like to share with you, if you are willing to hear it,” he began, pausing their stroll. “Do you believe we are quite alone here?”

Evienne cast her gaze around the forest, listening. In the next breath, she pressed the tip of the bladed ring she wore to her palm, and the cold, salty smell of her magic filled his senses.

“We are quite alone, but just in case, I’ve just shielded us. I am happy to hear whatever it is you have to discuss.” She assessed him openly, her curiosity apparent on her face.

“You must know that there is a reason Solon and I have come to Ichorna that runs deeper than attending the celebration,” he began. She blinked and nodded her understanding, tilting her head slightly to the side in an invitation to continue.

“I would like to share our purpose with you in confidence. I have not known you long, Evienne, but it is apparent to me that you possess a noble heart, and a kind spirit. You have a love for your people that is admirable, and I would like to believe your empathy extends to all the peoples of Domhan na Rùin.” He paused, waiting for her response.

“I am flattered by your assessment of my character; I shouldhope your trust in my integrity is not misplaced.” Her eyes softened as she spoke, and she stepped toward him slightly.

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