Page 49 of Jeweler to the Blessed
“I’ve got this,” I said under my breath.
“What are you upset about?” Macen genuinely looked befuddled.
I gently tugged off my glove. Had I found this easygoing charm endearing at some point? Before answering my mental rhetorical question, I turned and slapped his face. The crack of my palm connecting with his skin was one of the most satisfying sounds I’d heard today. “You tried to have me killed!”
I didn’t need to dance around it. Hart had reported the Feared had found me. It was a miracle Macen hadn’t been arrested.
“You weren’t in real danger,” Macen said, rubbing his cheek.
My mouth hung open. “Are you joking? Macen. That man wanted me gone.”
“Gone, not dead.”
Replacing my glove, I shook my head. I couldn’t comprehend what he thought the difference was. “Don’t come near me again.”
Macen reached out like he’d grab my arm.
Truly, I considered stabbing him with my dagger. This seemed like a lesson he needed to learn. Hart was there before I could react.
Macen’s arm was twisted behind his back, and he had fallen to his knees. “I wasn’t?—”
A quiet rage seeped from Hart’s every word. “Her instructions were clear. Come near her again, and I’ll kill you.”
Macen swallowed. Hart leaned impossibly closer, twistingMacen’s arm even higher around his back. Hart whispered something I couldn’t hear.
“Yes, sssir,” Macen stammered.
“Get out of here,” Hart said, releasing his hold.
Macen shot forward, inserting himself back into the group.
“I said I had it.” I glared at Hart.
He shrugged. “What can I say? You inspired me, Chaos.”
16
She’ll never be found—until she chooses. I’ve taken care of everything.
— ALARIC SARE’S LETTERS TO ISABELLE ARKOVA
I’d designed my life around staying away from the Blessed. As we scaled the hill to Glanmore Castle, I considered all the ways that had gone wrong. Not only was I entering the castle, but I’d also be living there—with a Blessed guard leading the way.
There were so many ways this could end poorly. I reminded myself I had little choice at the moment. Until I had more information about Alaric or a more reliable plan for youngleaf, my hands were tied.
I glared daggers into Hart’s back at that.
We’d stopped by the workshop so I could collectAlaric’s design book. It would at least give me something to work on when locked in my rooms tonight. While it was comforting to think the Feared couldn’t get in, I also couldn’t get out. It was its own kind of prison.
I wanted to fall apart. A little self-pity could do a girl wonders. I just had to take a few more steps.
My focus returned to the large and brooding guard walking ahead of me. His words from this afternoon still bothered me. He’d seemed mad at Alaric when we spoke of their agreement for the youngleaf. I was desperate to know what Alaric claimed to help him with that he didn’t intend to follow through on. That didn’t sound like my uncle.
Then again, until a few days ago, I didn’t know my uncle was buying contraband herbs. I hated acknowledging that maybe I didn’t know Alaric as well as I thought.
Hart hadn’t seemed very fond of Macen in the woods but also hadn’t arrested him. His connection with the Feared was no clearer after that interaction.
Spiraling, I ran face-first into Hart’s back when he stopped. “Umph.”
