Page 124 of Shadows and Roses

"I believe him," Octavius grumbled. "That one, not Damon."

Anais agreed. "Is Jerome well?"

"Yes. He will need to rest his arm for a couple of weeks."

"Sounds like torture for him," Castien mumbled at the same time that Anais huffed a soft laugh.

They shared a brief glance. Amusement danced in her eyes. No mask. No ice. If he could extend this moment and remove everyone else from the room…

She blinked, a faint smile on her lips. "I’m sure he’ll demand at least four guards on me at all times. I'm curious if they'll try to follow me into my bathing chambers."

He gave her a weak smile.

Octavius grunted. "Castien. You can learn from the healers today. Try not to get in their way. Darius, you too, if you're not busy."

"Yes, sir." Castien shot a grateful look at the scowling Master Healer. Darius bowed.

Castien sighed once they were out of the room.

"Don't make her wait forever," Darius murmured.

He stiffened. Darius spoke again as though he hadn't said anything. "How much healing craft are you familiar with?"

"Some. Herbs for pain and calm, light bandaging, contraceptives of course."

"Good. There shouldn’t be much more than that needed today."

Idle chatter was going to make him bite his tongue off.

"Does she ask for you?" The question came out harsher than he liked.

Darius stopped walking, facing him with a look as cold as Castien had ever seen on this carefree man. "Would it make you feel better if she does? Like you owe her less of an apology?"

Castien met his eyes, accepting the well-deserved judgment. "No. That's not— never mind."

Darius grimaced. "Well, she doesn’t. I’ve offered—the day you were kidnapped, she told me to stay out of her chambers." He sighed and continued walking. "I won't pretend to know what you've been through. But she does. She personally visits every one of the returned victims, if they let her. I'm guessing it's why she's so patient with you. Just don't count on that patience forever."

"I won't." As soon as he gathered the courage to face her. And the strength to weather her pity, anger, or anything else he deserved.

Anais

She let out a sigh. Jerome would be insisting all the more that Damon could not be trusted. The other Escortsweren’t much happier.

They congregated after Damon stormed out. Thakris leaned against a wall, eyeing the door as though she might follow him. Only Madeline was absent while tending to Jerome.

Trishve was ranting, "...hiding something. That slimy piece of shit needs a leash and a bit, not free access to the Queen's Wing."

Even Thakris mumbled, "He’s too friendly with the nobles, and, as far as I can tell, it’s genuine. Either he’s a fantastic liar or he actually likes them."

"We’re all liars," the Queen responded. "The court believes your act, Thakris. And mine. They’ve seen proof of who we are. "

"They see what we let them see—" Thakris began.

Laureline interjected, "Can you say you have complete control over the court, my Queen?"

The room went quiet.

Anais smiled thinly. "Indeed. And the court is only a thousand—the rebellion far larger. I don’t believe this was Damon’s plan. Neither do I trust him. But we do need him. Agreed?"

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