Page 16 of Reap the Night
“We have Order authority to use the residences,” Ordell said. “But if we’re not welcome, then?—”
“No.” I lifted my chin. “Of course you’re welcome. The Order shelters those who serve it.” Edwin made a sound of disgust, but I pressed my hand to his shoulder. “We all have a job to do, so let’s just focus on that, shall we?”
“In that case, I’ll get the carriage ready.” Hemlock strode out of the room, but Ordell lingered, his conflicted gaze fixed on me.
I smiled thinly. “I’ll be out in a minute.” It was a clear dismissal which he took with grace, ducking his head and following his brother from the room.
“How can you stand it?” Edwin asked. “They were all over you a few weeks ago and now…Urgh.”
“They have what they need to save our world, and I’m not essential any longer. They’re just doing what they need to do, and we should do the same.” The fact that my team knew about Loviator and Ariella and the danger we faced if Ezekiel’s curse wasn’t broken made living through it easier. I had their support. People to talk to, to turn to. I was glad I’d made that a condition of helping Ordell and Hemlock. Glad I’d set boundaries.
“But the fact they’re here is stopping you from coming home,” Edwin said.
Had I been avoiding the chapter house because of the hunters? Had Kaster been an excuse? No. “I enjoy spending time with Kaster, but I promise to be here more often.”
“Well, as long as it’s not because of them.” Edwin jerked his thumb at the door.
“It isn’t. I swear it.” I ruffled his hair. “Now I really should get going. I’ll see you guys in the morning.”
Chapter 7
It was strange being back at Branwood, strange in the sense that it felt like I’d never left. The Gothic castle welcomed me into its gloomy halls with eager whispers.
It felt like coming home, and I hated that.
Ordell had driven us here, and Hemlock had accompanied me in the carriage, barely speaking two words to me. The easy camaraderie that we’d been building seemed to have evaporated, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss it. Did they have an easy camaraderie with Ariella now? How much time had they spent with her? Had she taken my place in their affections? What was I even thinking? None of this should matter. And yet it did. And I hated that as well.
Walking through the halls of Branwood toward the dining hall, the brothers trailing behind me, I suddenly felt as if I was being led to my execution. A knot bloomed in my belly, but I did my best to ignore it. I was here upon Ezekiel’s request to have a meal, nothing more. There was nothing sinister about that.
The nerves stemmed from not having seen him for so long. If I was honest with myself, then I’d missed the contrary fucker.
What did that say about me?
I entered the dining hall to soft music, candlelight, and the aroma of roasted meats and fresh breads. The long table was laden with dishes, but I barely registered the food because Ezekiel was in the room, and the air was suddenly too thin.
He sat at the head of the table as always, dark hair pulled back from his face, honey eyes fixed on me, a small smile playing on his beautiful lips. Perfect except for the woman sitting to his left.
Dressed in a dinner gown, dark hair piled up high on her head to leave her slender neck bare and unadorned, she was a vision.
Ariella.
Sitting in my seat.
Heat flared in my chest, a lick of anger that I squashed quickly, fixing a smile on my face.
I directed it at her, and she sat up straighter, returning it warmly.
Some of the unease in my belly ebbed.
She had a sweet face and kind eyes, and she deserved to sit in that seat nearest to Ezekiel.
“Miss Lighthart,” Ezekiel said. “So good of you to join us, and punctual too.” He rose and approached me. I tensed, a rabbit in the headlights as he gently gripped my shoulders and leaned in to press his cheek to mine. My heart lurched as his evergreen aroma filled my head, nostalgia digging in its claws. I resisted the urge to lean into him. “Thank you for coming.” He inhaled through his nose and then drew back with a smile. “We have a feast prepared.”
He reclaimed his seat and leaned in toward Ariella conspiratorially. “Miss Lighthart is a punctual thing. Comes with her Order upbringing, no doubt.” Then to me, “Please, sit.” He indicated the seat directly to his right, but there was no way I was sitting that close to him.
I took a seat two down from the one he’d offered, and his eyes narrowed slightly. Ordell took the seat beside me, and Hemlock placed himself across from me, on the same side of the table as Ariella.
I could feel the heat of Ezekiel’s regard on the side of my face, but I kept my attention on all the food. “Wow, you really had Ingrid and the cooks go to town, didn’t you? What’s the occasion?”
