Page 48 of Muse

When he went to his chambers to ready himself for the day, I slipped out the back door. In my little flat, I sat at my desk and pulled out the paper and ink.

Wrenley had so much going on in xer life with King Asmond, but xe would be upset if I didn’t let xer know that I had moved out of Adora’s house, even if it was only temporary.

A cold chill ran over me because I didn't know this was temporary. Obviously, I hadn't imagined that I would live with my mother forever. I had always planned to someday get married and have my own home and family.

But not so soon, and not like this.

Adora’s mother had died when she was young, and her father kicked her out when she fell pregnant with me. My own father had disappeared right after she told him, and it had been the two of us against the world for my entire life.

Even though I had enjoyed my increasing freedom from her over the past six months, that didn't mean I wanted her out of my life completely. She was my mother, and I loved her.

If I went back to her today, on my hands and knees to apologize, she would likely allow me back into the house again. But an apology would never be enough.

To get back into Adora's good graces, she would expect penance and strict obedience. I'd have to perform on the silks with Herve, which I wasn't even sure I could do. But beyond that, she would insist that I cut all ties with Soren immediately.

But if my exile from Adora's home wasn't temporary, then what did that mean for me? No matter what he claimed, I couldn't stay in Soren's guest flat forever.

I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I didn't have to solve everything right now. I would stay at Soren's until Samonend, making our practice more convenient anyway.

Right now, I only needed to rest and alert my friends about my change in residence. Briar, Wrenley, and I needed to catch up soon, but it wouldn't be today. Two brief letters were enough.

Chapter 30

The three of us sat in the parlor of Cinderwood Manor, Briar, Wrenley, and myself. Tea and cookies were sitting on the glass table between us, carefully around a delicate tea set.

Wrenley and I had just finished filling Briar in on all that had recently transpired: our experiences in Lamida, Wrenley's romance with King Asmond, along with a brief mention of my flirtation with Rowan, how well Wrenley had done in xer primamusa conduction, and how I (somewhat) overcame my fear of heights. Finally, I told them both about the fight with Adora that had resulted in me moving into Soren's guest flat.

“I don’t see you for a few weeks, and everything changes,” Briar said, her blue eyes wide. “Wren found true love, and Izzy moved out.”

“Izzy moving out from Adora’s is a long time coming,” Wrenley said, steering the conversation away from xerself. Xe still seemed as happy and wistful as when I saw xer last, but xe always got a little squeamish with sentimentality and romance.

“Do you think that you will move back?” Briar asked me.

“Why would she?” Wrenley answered on my behalf. “She’s finally free.”

“She’s still her mother, Wren,” Briar argued. “That makes everything more complicated.”

“I don’t know what will happen with me and Adora, but I don’t have the energy to worry about it right now,” I said. “I have too much to do before Samonend.”

“No kidding. I only have a few weeks to master aerial silks, thanks to you two hotshots,” Briar teased,

As the Warlock to the Queen, Herve Chaunter was set upon doing an aerial performance to rival the one in Lamida. The issue was that I was already working with Soren, and Wrenley had declined. Xe also hated Herve and hoped to get word from Asmond soon, so xe didn't want to make any significant commitments.

Briar had some experience with silks, and she was a talented muse and fast learner. Plus, she was beautiful and from a great family, so casting her as the primamusa in Herve’s Samonend had been an easy choice.

I'm not sure if Herve ever took magik from her, the way he had with me because that wasn't something I talked about ever. Not even with my closest friends. But I had always hoped that no one ever did, that her name and lineage protected her in a way that my lack of had left me vulnerable. I also knew that Briar was kind and always stood up for others. She wouldn't tolerate Herve hurting others.

“What are you and Soren planning?” Wrenley asked me.

"I'm not sure yet," I said, hoping I didn't sound as nervous as I felt.

It had been two days since I had been staying with Soren, and he was still insisting that I rest and recharge. He was clearlyworking on something, spending his days bouncing back and forth between his library and his workshop.

For my part, I spent most of my time reading in the library or resting in my flat. He would stop and chat with me if I was around, but he refused to answer any questions about our Samonend conduction until I was fully rested.

“And when will you be fully rested?” Wrenley echoed my own thoughts.

“Tomorrow, I think,” I said, but that might only be wishful thinking. “Soren can’t give a definitive answer until he sees how I am in the morning.”

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