Page 65 of Muse

“Oh, thank the Matronae, you are all right!” Adora sobbed into my ear.

I untangled myself from her. “Of course I am.”

I wasn’t sure how Soren would feel about her being in his house, but I didn’t feel right about throwing her out, either. Especially if she really was concerned.

“You saw me perform last night,” I reminded her.

"I know, but I left before that horrible incident with Soren and Lord Baxley Cole." Adora used his full title with reverence, and I felt the bile rise in my throat. "The Calida Post called it a bloodbath!"

“The newspaper reported it?” I asked, aghast.

“Only a few lines, but yes,” Adora said. “But I learned even more talking at the market this morning. Everyone is so worried about that violent man taking you hostage!”

“I’m not held hostage, and you know it,” I told her sharply. “You’re the one who kicked me out.”

She looked wounded by accusations of the truth. “I assumed you would stay with Briar or Wrenley, somewhere safe. I never imagined that you would shack up with the exact kind of enchanter I had always warned you about.”

“We are not shacked up together!” I bristled. “I am staying in the guest flat out back in the gardens.”

“Then why do you look so comfortably lounging around his house?” Adora shot back. “Or is he having you be his maid?”

“I was making myself a cup of tea. There is no kitchen in the flat,” I explained.

"Hmpff," Adora huffed as if she didn't believe me. "It is no matter really because the damage has been done. After what everyone witnessed at Samonend last night, it's clear that Soren has become far too possessive and controlling of you."

I shook my head. “He’s neither of those things. He was defending me last night.”

“From Lord Baxley?” she asked with a dubious eyebrow. “That boy is a kitten, but he is only a small part of the issues. Many eyewitnesses say that Soren has been incredibly inappropriate with you, Isadore, and magik charges are being brought.”

My heart stopped. “What?”

“Where is he, by the way?” Adora suddenly began looking around, her prying eyes taking in every detail of his sparsely decorated home. “Do I need to worry about Soren putting his hands on me?” She asked it in a lilting voice, like it was a humorous joke.

“He’s not home,” I replied, but I was still reeling from what she’d said about magik charges. “What… what eyewitnesses?”

“You mean besides a ballroom full of people?” she asked, all sarcasm and honey. “The Crown Princess, Lord Baxley, Warlock Herve, King Marcel – ”

“King Marcel?” I cut her off in my surprise. “From the Kingdom of Sudamon? I haven’t seen him since this past summer at the Ashoraldia festival.”

“Well, he had eyes even way back then, so he must’ve seensomething,” Adora replied with a smug smile.

“You weren’t concerned about me at all,” I realized, and a sick feeling twisted in my stomach. “You came here to gloat.”

“What reason would I possibly have to gloat, Isadore? You are my daughter, and I only want what’s best for you.”

“You have never known what’s best for me,” I snapped. “I think you should go now.”

Her smile faltered. “I’m not leaving without you. You can’t stay here if magik charges are brought against Soren.”

"Where I stay is no longer your concern," I reminded her coolly.

Adora gaped at me in shock for a moment, then she hurried to correct course. "Isadore, be reasonable. If you care about Soren at all, you truly cannot stay here any longer. It will only make him appear even guiltier before the Tribunal."

"Then I will find somewhere else to stay," I said, hating that she might have a point. "None of that is of your concern. I'm a grown woman, and I am a muse. Go back home, and let me sort it out myself."

She seemed too flabbergasted to respond, so I seized the moment to usher her out before she had her wits about her.

“Isadore,” she argued weakly, but I just opened the front door and motioned for her to go. “It doesn’t need to be this way.”

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