Page 27 of Blood Weaver
“No. We’re a team,” she insisted stubbornly. “Since the day you saved my life, I vowed to serve you until my last breath.”
I shook my head. “You know I don’t want that. All I’ve ever wanted for you is freedom, not servitude,” I argued. “You don’t owe me anything, Selene. You’ve done more than enough in the last few years.”
She dropped to her knees again in front of me and reached for my hands. “Please, Leila,dosomething!”
I wiped away her tears and smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll be okay. I won’t allow myself to be married off to the Crimson Clan.”
Her eyes widened. “We’ll tell the princes!” she exclaimed. “If they knew who you were, they would save you!”
“No. You know I can’t tell them. Not yet,” I said. “And I don’t need saving. I’m powerful enough to take care of myself.”
She rested her forehead on my knees and silently wept. I brushed her inky black hair away from her face and tried to reassure her that everything would be okay, even though it was far from it.
Selene spentthe night with me in the clinic to make sure I was okay. When I woke the next morning, she was still sleeping on the cot downstairs. I adjusted the blanket over her and silently stepped outside to grab breakfast for us both before Madam Rose sent someone to fetch her back.
Nursing a monster hangover, I walked down the street toward Anna’s bakery, stepping around the remnants of the lantern festival. The town was quiet this morning since most people stayed up late last night.
The baker greeted me with a bright smile when I approached her stall. “Good morning, Leila!” she chirped.
“Good morning, Anna,” I said, trying to soothe my roiling stomach. “What warm goods do you have?”
“I have fresh bread that I just took out of the oven,” she offered. “Unfortunately, I sold out of mooncakes last night and haven’t had time to make any more yet.”
I smiled. “No worries. It’s too early in the morning for sweets. Give me two loaves of bread, please.”
She nodded and went to fetch the warm bread. As she packed them up, I waited on a stool sitting off to the side. Casting my eyes over the nearly empty streets, I was surprised to see Marcellus and Caelan. Just then, Anna came out with the bread.
“Here you go, Leila,” she said warmly.
With a wave goodbye, I walked toward the princes and greeted them with a bow. “Good morning, Your Highnesses.” I straightened and Caelan raised a brow.
“Are you okay?” he asked with concern in his voice.
I ran my fingers through the tangled mess of my hair, knowing I looked a fright. I chuckled awkwardly. “Yes, just suffering the effects of a long night of drinking.”
He nodded and looked me up and down. “Ah, okay, that makes sense. I didn’t see you at the lantern festival. I guess you were off having fun.”
“Yeah, sorry. I sort of got carried away,” I replied sheepishly. “Well, it was nice seeing you both.” When I attempted to sidestep them, Caelan stood in my way.
“Hold on,” he said, stopping me.
Puzzled, I asked, “Do you need something, Your Highness?”
“Why don’t we escort you home? You don’t look well,” he offered.
Marcellus groaned. “Come on, Cael,” Marcellus complained. “I’m hungry. She can get home on her own.”
Caelan glared at him and turned his attention back to me. “I heard there was a large group of bandits roaming the streets last night. It’s not safe for you to be walking around alone.”
I attempted to downplay the veracity of his claim. “It’s fine. I can take care of myself,” I urged.
He waved me off. “Please, allow me.”
Marcellus looked like he was about to throw a tantrum, and I almost laughed. Some things never changed. He was still cranky when he was hungry.
“I have enough bread for all of us …” I offered, then added, “including Selene, who’s waiting for me at home.” That certainly caught my brother’s attention.
His eyes widened and he stepped toward me. “Selene is at your place?”
