Page 178 of Cursed Evermore
The ghost of his hand holding mine as we stood on the balcony watching the Nyzith strands was still there. So was his lingering presence.
He wasn't here, but I could feel him in my mind and through the shackles.
I hated that he'd ignored me last night.
I hated being told to stay away from the caves and that he'd left me.
I hated that he'd lied, telling me I'd been mistaken. He knew I wasn't. He knew I'd heard the dragons' song and that it meant something. The haunting melody still lurked in the corners of my mind as if it hadn't ended at all.
I hated these feelings I had for him. Any sadness I felt was supposed to be for my family. Only for them.
A wave of sorrow hit me as I thought of them again. The wave coursed through my soul and wrapped around my heart like a clamp. I set the fork down. I couldn't eat. There was too much on my mind.
I was sure Wolfe and the others would have discussed the situation. I just wasn't invited because I was still a prisoner. The living tracker. Little more than a thing to them.
Once again, waiting and wondering in this helpless state was all I could do.
I loathed feeling weak. There was nothing worse than weakness during a time when you needed to be strong.
Sirril walked through the door with a plate of cookies. His face fell when he noticed I'd barely touched the food.
“My Lady, is there something else I can bring you to eat instead of the meat pie?” He came over and set the cookies next to my plate.
I shook my head. “Sorry, Sirril, I'm just not in the mood. I'll try a cookie, though.”
He frowned, his blue skin deepening in hue. “My Lady, cookies are snacks even here in Galaythia. My Lord would have my head if he found out that's all you had for lunch.”
“Just don't tell him.”
He smirked. “That may be difficult. Lord Nightblade checks in with me every day to make sure you've eaten and all your needs are tended to.”
Hearing that made my heart stumble. Wolfe was such a puzzle. I couldn't figure him out. How could he do such sweet things then turn around and be a controlling bastard?
“Just blame me. He'll understand.” I pushed to my feet, deciding I couldn't sit here or stay inside another minute.
“Where are you going, my Lady? Master Garrick has encouraged me to keep you inside today.”
Of course. Because Wolfe didn't want me going near the caves. “Where is Garrick?”
“Tending to the elk.”
“When is Arielle getting here?”
Sirril gave me a troubled smile. “I'm afraid she's not coming by today. She had business to attend to in Artemiye.”
Great.So I was probably going to be alone for most of the day. It would have been nice if someone had told me Arielle would be away. Today was the one day I could have used her company. “I'm going for a walk.”
“Please don't go too far, my lady.”
“I won't.”
“I'll make some strawberry tart for later.” Sirril gave me a hopeful smile.
I smiled back at him, grateful, though I was holding back tears. “Thank you.”
He dipped his head. I did the same and left.
I went through the back door and into the garden, allowing the gentle breeze and floral scents to wash over me.
