Page 200 of Between Despair and Hope

Chapter 52

Dewalt

Withtheinformationgiftedto us by the prince, Rainier and I had spent hours upon hours in the council room, which had eventually turned into a war room. Raj was already in Lamera and Ashmont on his way to Nara’s Cove, and we had to coordinate the movement of soldiers, sending messenger crows and Warric to spread the word. We didn’t plan on leaving Lamera undefended, but we’d received word this morning that Nereza had her own soldiers positioned on the Aesiron Bridge, ready to defend the Supreme if necessary. It made sense to pull our own soldiers back. Though we planned to leave for Nara’s Cove in a few days’ time, there was plenty of preparation still to be done. Rainier left with Emma at the end of the meeting, fetching the dragons from the hot springs to bring south. He planned to bring the fire breathers with us but leave the rest to protect Astana.

I had an hour before training with the children, and I decided I’d earned myself a nap, making my way toward Ven’s chambers within the palace. I’d moved my things back there since the coronation, but once she returned from her journey, I was going to have to find new accommodations. Perhaps I’d buy a house.

Turning the corner, not paying attention and fumbling with the cuff of my sleeve, I ran straight into someone and knocked them to the ground. Apologizing, I offered my hand to help the person up before I realized just who it was.

“It’s always you, isn’t it?” I said, pulling my hand away as I glared down at the woman on the ground.

“I could say the same,” Nor sniped, before scrambling to her feet and running a hand through her long dark-brown hair.

“What are you doing here?”

“I tutor Lord Durand’s children now,” she said, but she looked down at her hands, which she quickly slipped into the pockets of her loose, flowing pants. She still wore styles resembling that of the novices, just not in white. It irked me it was something I’d paid attention to.Everythingabout the woman irked me. Her fucking mouth—the way it was soft and sweet and warm, and the sounds she’d made as I kissed her.

Asshekissedme, I reminded myself.

I hadn’t been the one to permanently implant herself into my mind as the only person I’d kissed since Lucia. Sure, I’d had lovers, but not once had I ever kissed them. Not even Ven. No, I’d saved that because I didn’t want to erase Lu’s memory from my lips. And she took it from me. She’d had no right to do that. And I’d been thinking about it ever fucking since.

“The Durands’ chambers lie on the western side of the palace. What are you doing here?”

“Nothing,” she said, far too quickly.

“What was it you shoved in your pockets, Nor?”

“Nothing.”

As she tried to make her way past me, I snatched her wrist, dragging her into Ven’s chambers despite her fighting against me. She tugged her arm hard, and the sound she made told me she hurt herself. I eased my grip.

“What are you doing on this side of the palace?” I demanded, gritting my teeth as I shut the door behind me, tucking my hair behind my ears. I’d enunciated my words as if I were compelling her, and my annoyance was reborn when I remembered I could no longer do that.

“I was in the library doing some research, alright!” she shouted, arms crossed as she glared at me. One hand drifted up to massage her shoulder, and I remembered her burns there. Emma had mentioned something about a salve to help ease the aches, and I wondered if she’d ever delivered it. And with a start, I realized I’d never told either Rainier or Emmeline about Miriam and her daughter. I’d have to make it a priority.

“What kind of research?”

“It’s none of your business, gods damn it!” And then she covered her mouth with her hand, the tips of her ears and her cheeks turning bright red. I couldn’t help my amusement.

“Is that the first time you’ve cursed, little novice?”

“Shut up,” she snapped.

“I should have known when you skipped the curse in the sweet song you sang in the bath,” I said, stepping toward her. “So, what were you researching, songbird? Would you like some help?”

She stepped backward, finding herself pressed against the desk behind her.

“I found what I needed,” she gritted out, frustration I wasn’t sure was directed at me laced her words.

“And what was that?”

“Skies above, would you just leave me alone?” she groaned.

“No. I don’t fucking trust you. You are—you’re dangerous, and I want to know what you are up to.”

“How am I dangerous? I have no desire to harm anyone; I don’t think I could if I tried. I am a victim of circumstance and men who sought to hurt me.” With a sniffle, I watched her hands ball into fists at her sides. “And it seems I still am.”

“I am not here to hurt you. Gods, if anything,you’vehurtme,” I blurted in exasperation.

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