Page 45 of A Blaze of Fire
My new ally shook his head. “No way. Not since he returned from the human realm with you.” He mindlessly continued to eat his food as if what he said wasn’t a big deal.
* * *
Alec foundme in the courtyard after I’d finished a particularly intense training session with Kazimir. I was doing much better, surprisingly. Finally, I had no issues calling out the fire. It came naturally to me now. I was messing around, trying to create balls of fire when Alec approached.
“How are you feeling?”
I extinguished the fire in my hand and shrugged one shoulder. “I’m fine, although I wish I knew what everyone else did.” I narrowed my gaze at him. He was keeping something from me and I needed to know what it was. I hated when he kept secrets from me.
He brushed off my concern. “Everyone’s been whispering about you since the first day you arrived at the Unseelie Court. I’m sure it’s more of the same thing. I wouldn’t let it get to you.” Alec didn’t meet my eyes. “Ignore them. Once the next big thing comes by, you’ll be old news.”
I frowned at his weak explanation. “What does everyone want me to show them?”
Alec gave a forced laugh. “Why are you being so dense, Vi? You know everyone wants to see you handle all the elements. They probably got wind that you could do air on top of fire.”
He was avoiding eye contact and while he couldn’t lie, he could deviate and talk around the truth. All of this was true, to some extent, but he could be lying by omitting some truths. Did he really think I was that stupid?
Fine. I wasn’t going to bombard him with questions. He obviously didn’t want to tell me. But I knew someone who wouldn’t lie to me no matter what.
* * *
That evening after dinner,I stepped out of my bedroom and found Rook standing guard. I placed my pointer finger over my lips to tell him to be quiet and motioned for him to follow me. We had to be quiet since Alec’s room was next door.
Once we were out of ear shot, Rook grabbed my arm and stopped me. “Where do you think you’re going at this hour, Lady Violet?”
“I have to talk to someone. It’s important,” I said. “Please, Rook … Thank you for what you said earlier in the dining hall. I never thanked you for defending me. I know you said your only job was to defend me from physical attacks, but you went out of your way today. It’s very much appreciated.”
He nodded.
“But I have to see Ansel,” I rushed. “I know I’m not supposed to, but it’s an emergency.”
Rook huffed as he looked behind him and then back at me. “I know what you’re after, Lady Violet, and only trouble will follow.”
“It’s only fair that I know,” I whispered.
“Don’t you think Lord Alec is trying to shield you from harm instead of willfully keeping secrets from you?” he countered.
I shrugged. “I can’t stay in the dark forever. I have to protect myself from whatever’s coming.”
Rook sighed. “Come on; there’s a back entrance we can use. That way we don’t have to cut across the courtyard out in the open.” He took my hand and led the way.
We took a service entrance I’d never noticed before, entering a nondescript door into a hallway that angled across the castle and wound closer to Ansel’s quarters. I’d never been there before, but when Rook stopped in front of a door, I assumed it was his bedroom. Rook nodded toward it and I thanked him once again.
Knocking on the door twice, I waited with bated breath for Ansel to answer. I hadn’t seen him in over a week. I missed him.
The door slowly creaked open and I caught Ansel’s green eyes, which widened at the sight of me. He swung the door wide and hurriedly pulled me inside. Rook followed, not wanting to attract attention by standing outside the door.
“What are you doing here?” Ansel whispered once the door was securely closed behind Rook.
I smiled shyly. “It’s nice to see you, too.”
Ansel pulled me in close for a hug, then exhaled as he released me. “I’m sorry. You know I’m more than happy to see you, but it’s dangerous for you to be on this side of the castle. To be near me,” he clarified.
“I know,” I admitted, “but I had to talk to you. You’re the only one I can talk to.”
Ansel deflated and sighed, tucking my hair behind my ear. He pulled me into an embrace and I felt safe in his arms. But he wasn’t the only one I felt safe with. That thought alone made me feel guilty.
“You know I’m always here for you, Vi,” he said as he brushed my hair. “You can talk to me about anything.”
