Page 37 of Rook of Ruin
Throughout the night I remain vigilant, keeping us safe and checking on Alec. I’m tempted to peel off his leathers, but if I do and there is another attack . . . no, I can’t risk it. I won’t risk him. Handsome settles on the rug again, looking comfortable, reminding me a bit of Simon.
The morning sunlight peeks through the windows as I try turning on the sink faucet, but nothing gives. From my inspection around the cottage last night, I know there is no well or anything for food.
My stomach growls. “Are you hungry too? I’m sure you are. If you wake up, I swear I will make you whatever you want at the castle.”
Alec doesn’t stir, and I don’t bother to bite back a curse. My brace glows, and I try to heal him again. When nothing happens, not even the natural feel of healing, I let out a sob of despair.
“Please, Alec, wake up.” I search his face for any sign of movement, and my heart hurts when there’s none. I hold his hand and talk to him softly about everything and nothing at all. I talk until the sun is high and my voice becomes hoarse. I talk until it’s just a whisper. Only then do I move away and go outside to relieve myself again.
I drag myself back and finally take my place in the chair by the door. Handsome’s nose touches my hand as I sit, and I give him a good scratch behind the ears. His comforting presence brings a yawn to my mouth as I settle into the chair, dagger in hand. Handsome moves in front of me, his mischievous brown eyes looking into mine and magically hypnotizing me into slumber.
Someone gently touches me. “O! Orlaith!” The deep thrum of Simon’s voice rings in my head. My eyes fling open, and I stab out, missing Jon by a hairsbreadth. I drop my dagger, and Simon pulls me up from the chair, looking over my black-and-reddish-brown bloody body, his dark brown eyes full of concern. “O, are you hurt?”
“No, I—” Hope fills me because we’ve been rescued by Simon and Jon, but it’s quashed when I notice Alec is still on the bed, unmoving. I cast my eyes around the room. “Where’s Handsome?”
“What are you talking about? What happened?” Jon asks. I push past them, looking for the black dog outside, whistling and calling for him. “O, what are you doing?”
“I’m looking for Handsome.” Under other circumstances, there would have been a joke from either party, but they just look at each other. “The dog. I’m looking for the dog.”
Simon moves to block my exposed chest from Jon and gently lifts my chin to meet his eyes. “O, there’s no dog.” He takesoff his overcoat and drapes it over my shoulders, buttoning it from the top. The smell of him overtakes my senses for a brief moment before being replaced with the stench of smelly blood and sweat.
“He was here. He was right next to me the whole night. He led us here.” I try not to panic and walk back inside. There are no pawprints in the dust, nothing to suggest he was here. I must have hallucinated the whole thing.How messed up am I?
“Mags, Liam . . . the baby, are they okay?” I whisper.
“They are fine. They made it back. Baby is doing well.” Jon gives me a thankful smile, and then it drops. “Mum went to the castle for help while we were searching for you. She met Sir Caddel”—he motions to Simon—“who came to help us, but there was a large explosion, lighting up the whole sky. When we finally made it through the field, we found bodies . . . everywhere. We checked each one of them, but Sir Caddel found your tracks. Did you carry Alec all this way?”
I nod and tell them everything from the birth, the white monsters, the killing, to how Alec stopped each Roggenwolf from attacking but succumbed to whatever is happening now. I explain the light, carrying him, meeting Handsome,everything. Simon runs a hand through his hair, and Jon stares at me like he’s never seen me before. Like I just grew into a Rook before his very eyes instead of his sister’s friend who helps his mother in the kitchen.
“The explosion, the light, it was you?” Jon asks in complete awe.
“Yes. We need to get him to the castle.” I fight myself not to fidget under their gaze.
Jon whistles. Simon walks around the cottage for a moment, frustrated, like he wants to punch someone, something, anything.
Jon folds his arms and gives Simon a hard look. He glances at Alec and back to Simon, unfolding his arms and clenching his fists, some sort of realization dawning on his features. Jon speaks slowly. “If there will be concern at court that she is no longer consideredeligiblefor marriage, I would have the honor of her hand.”
Emotions come quickly. At first, I’m hurt, but then I rationalize his words. Would it be so bad to marry Jon? He is a good man, and it is kind of him to try to save my honor, or lack thereof. I would be lucky to become a member of his family. I could be happy, and I would try to make him happy. But it wouldn’t be fair for Jon to be forced into a marriage when he obviously doesn’t love me. He deserves better. I deserve better.
“Jon, I appreciate your kindness, your willingness to sacrifice so much for me, but I’m sure it is all unnecessary.”
Jon’s face turns a shade of pink as he rubs the back of his neck and looks down. It’s something I’ve noticed Vera and Oliver do when they are feeling bashful too. “Not much of a sacrifice,” he mumbles, and my face flushes.
Simon looks offended and barks, “Jon, I’m sureLady Verlanwould care for something to drink or eat since she has had neither for quite some time.”
I’ve never heard Simon speak rudely, let alone throw around a title, but I really don’t knowhim well enough to assume he never does. Maybe that is how he truly speaks to others below his station.
“A ‘please’ would be nice,Sir Caddel. Jon, don’t you ever call me lady.”
Jon chuckles, gives me a wink, and walks outside.
I snap at the uncharacteristically tense man. “Simon, what is your problem? Jon and his family are my friends and have been more of a family to me than my own at times.” Simon ignores me and walks out. “Prick,” I call out after him, but I doubt he heard.
Left alone, I check on Alec. Still no change, but his face is paler than normal, and a bit of sweat gleams off his face.A fever. I take off the quilt and check his body the best I can, still trying to heal him. We need to get him to the castle. I hold his bloody hand.
“Please wake up.”
Nothing.
