Page 104 of Rook of Ruin
Vetter’s face shows a mixture of emotion, and I place my hand in Simon’s. He glances down, and I squeeze, reminding him that I am his.
“Wewill help him,” I say again. Vetter looks at Simon, and something passes between them. “Simon, I am telling you what I want. I want to help a child,” I say as calmly and as softly as I can.
Simon clearly does not trust Vetter, but I do. Especially after he gave me back what I had been missing for so long.
“A child?” Simon reluctantly moves away from Vetter and is surprised when I nod and point to the carriage. He squeezes my hand and lets it go, then walks over to the dark carriage, opens the door, says a few low words, and climbs in.
“You will treat him as your own.” Not a question or a demand; Vetter’s voice is full of relief.
“Yes. I promise you, I will.” I look into his black eyes. “Vetter, explain to me what you mean when you said you chose ‘my side.’”
“My dear, you know there is a war brewing. You will always fight forthe peopleno matter their station.” He shoves his hands into his pockets. “I am merely a servant at the will of my queen.” There is only truth in his eyes.
“Where did you get my memory stone? I truly thought I was going insane. His voice haunted me, but I alsocravedit.” I shake my head. I still crave it.
Vetter’s black eyes suggest more than what he is about to say. “That’s something I cannot share. I am beholden to others with far more power than I possess. Luckily for us, they are very interested in your survival and wellbeing.”
I consider his words. “Do you know who he is? The man in my memory?”
Vetter takes my hand into his own; something about how he holds it is comforting. He searches my face. “If he wanted you to know, my dear, he would have told you; he should have. He was not in his right mind from the imprisonment and torture. He—” Vetter shakes his head and turns, dropping my hand. “Are you happy, Orlaith?”
I’m taken aback by his question. “Yes, of course.”
“I would hate it if you were unhappy. I would hate it for Milo to be unhappy. I want you both to be happy and protected.” Sadness fills his face. “Milo would be hurt, or worse, murdered, if I allowed him to stay with me. I love him. From the moment I saw him, I’ve loved him. His mother was right to keep him from me—I am playing a dangerous game. One I would keep you both away from.”
“Maybe you should stop playing dangerous games, Vetter. Get a better hobby.”
“Maybe.” He chuckles. “I know you did not accept my offer of a life debt, but I will clear one in your name.”
I smile as I watch Simon open the carriage door, unloading a suitcase, the young boy stepping out after him. “I hope the recipient is as grateful as I am for your kindness.”
Vetter laughs. “The Spider will no doubt be grateful.” I snap my questioning eyes to his. “I’m sorry, Orlaith. I cannot tell you, not now.” Vetter shrugs as if what he said held no meaning. He takes my hand again and kisses it, leaving me dumbstruck.
Ossian is the reason they were in the Locker. I committed treason for them. They were fucking innocent people. He hurt a child.A child. I clench my fists. I just erased the fucker’s life debt.
Vetter hugs Milo and kneels, speaking softly to him. The resemblance between the two isn’t surprising, but the boy’s demeanor is nothing like Vetter’s. A large wily grin forms on the boy’s mouth as Vetter speaks. Milo takes off, snagging me in a wonderfully large hug. I know how gross I am, so for Milo to overlook it melts my heart.
Bending down to look into his green eyes, I make sure he understands I’m speaking truthfully. “Milo, I am happy you will be with us.”
His shoulders round. “The man said you would take care of me. You won’t send me away?”
“I’m going to tell you something my mother often told me. ‘I am yours and you are mine until the end of time.’ We have duties which may call us away, but we will not send you away forever, not unless you want to go, and even then, we will find you a safe place.”
A small smile comes across his face, and Simon’s hand touches my shoulder as he talks to Milo and holds his large suitcase. “Let’s get inside. I’m sure it’s been a long journey for you.”
Vetter watches us, sadness etched onto his violent face. Milo turns and waves to Vetter, who waves back and climbs into the carriage. Choking down my feelings, I watch as the dark carriage leaves with the only man who has more secrets than the Spider himself.
Days. It’s been days, and I’m dying on the inside.
My bowl hits the wooden table a little harder than I intend, and I quickly hunch my shoulders, trying to look smaller for our guest. Zane cocks an eyebrow as I force my body to seem less intimidating. Using a knife to cut the crusty bread, I try to think of anything to fill the void. Not only the one in my heart, but the silence at this table. This is fucking awkward.
“So, how was your day, Sweetie Pie?” Zane asks while grabbing a slice of bread, causing a fit of giggles from the other side of the table. He slaps on the thick, creamy butter, accidentally getting a bit on his fingers. The bastard brings his fingers to his mouth and licks them, lacking any decorum at the dinner table—not using his damn napkin we painstakingly folded. We made Zane’s napkin look like a fish, and the asshole hasn’t noticed. Gripping the knife, I consider stabbing him, just a little bit. Just the tip.
This is what I get for playing house with Zane. As a fellow Rook, I couldn’t care less about his manners. But as his new roommate, his ‘bestie-mate’ as he’s called it, for the past fewnights, I can’t get over his lack of hygiene. Paul has his work cut out for him . . . but maybe I could train Zane to at least pick up after himself while Paul is gone, the fucking slob.
I rented a townhouse in Marrith for a few months, and while I initially thought it was a brilliant plan—a change for the better—I realize now, when Zane or Tess aren’t around and I’m off duty, here alone with our guest, I’m struggling. Fuck, I’m struggling without the woman who broke me.
I’m spiraling. I know it. Zane knows it. There is only one reason I am still in Acros and haven’t gone to Bethal—because I made another damn vow.
