Page 42 of The Garnet Daughter
“The one that attacked us when the ward was down, it crashed into the city. Dropped right out of the sky. The commanders can’t breach it to disarm . . . whatever else is inside. I can see it from my window if you would like to take a look.”
“No, no, that’s alright.” I do my best to comprehend her words. She doesn’t seem worried, but knowing any part of that enemy is here is unpleasant.
“I wish you would have told me about that.” She points to the gauze around my arm, carefully wrapped by August, on full display.
“I wasn’t thinking,” I say sheepishly.
She sends me an exacerbated face, as if disappointed I am too stressed to take care of myself, which is partially true, and then as if she has found the reason for that stress, she says, “I’m so sorry about the council meeting. You did so well though. Hopefully they move on.”
“Why did they call you lady?” The memory comes out as fast as the question.
She smiles. “Oh. Me and 99. We entered in Viathan union. It’s a Viathan title.”
“While I was gone?”
“We didn’t know where you were or if you were coming back.” Her smile fades. “We considered waiting, but after what happened . . .”
“I’m so sorry, Ferren.” I can feel my heart breaking.
“No.” She flicks her hand. “Now we know you couldn’t help it. It’s alright, truly.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“Me too.” She nods and then thinks for a moment, turning her head to the side. “I have something for you!” She links her arm in mine and guides me down the hall she came from.
“Is Leema here as well?” I ask.
“She is on Viathan. We all thought it best. Allister and Commander Yeva will take care of her until we return,” she explains, her face growing a little lost.
She pauses us in front of a doorway and presses her hand onto the data pad on the frame, commanding it to open.
“This was her room, but you are free to take it if you like. I assume you aren’t staying with Selene. I haven’t seen her that tense since I walked into your village for the first time.”
I can’t help but laugh at that because she’s right. “No, my things are still on August’s ship.”
“Oh?” Her eyebrows rise like they do whenever she is waiting for me to say more, and when I don’t, she nods in understanding. “Well, we found the medicines August mentioned. There are a few actually. And feel free to use this room to rest.”
She points to the three tubes laid out on the metal furniture top.
“Thank you.” I can feel the blood drain from my face just thinking of another injection.
“You look pale. Are you alright?”
I sit on the firm bed and nod.
She joins me, rubbing my shoulder and watching me as if I will faint in front of her. The nicer she is, the harder this is becoming. Soon, it will rip me apart, and the longer I wait, the more she will hate me.
“Ferren, I’m so sorry about the spell. For what happened to High Priestess Thea.” I could not save them both. It was my fault that Thea succumbed to the failed spell, but I know with no doubt in my heart I would always choose to fold Ferren to safety if the same circumstances found us again.
She takes a deep breath and plays with the delicate black trim on her sleeve. “If you were not there, in the Temple of Divine Mothers, I don’t know if my sister would have made it out safely. I have grieved for Thea. We tried. It was no one’s fault. We need to focus on that.”
I grit my teeth so hard my eyes water because I can tell she has fought guilt in her grief. I can’t take away the pain she has already worked through, but I could relieve her now.
And yet like the coward I am, I say nothing.
“Can I ask you something, Calliape?”
“Of course.” My heart lurches forward, almost cracking my bones.
