Page 110 of A Vow of Embers

“How are you going to prove that?” Ahyana asked.

I would probably pick a fight with Alexandros. That would be the easiest way to test it. “I’ll figure something out. But Ahyana was going to tell us about Rokh.”

“Wait! Let me get my ferret, Chara,” Io said. “She loves stories.”

“I’ll grab Luna,” I said. “We can make it a true party.”

“Who is Luna?” Io asked, and I quickly explained to them what had happened and how the prince and I had found her in my trunk after she’d hatched from the crystal rock.

“I’ve never heard of an animal like that,” Io said in a worried tone. “Maybe Xander is right and she’s dangerous.”

“Wait until you meet her. You won’t think that. I’ll be right back.”

I went into my room, and the moment I stepped in, I felt as if I were being watched. I pulled out my xiphos and began to search. Looking behind my dressing screen, on the balcony, under the bed. Then I went into the washroom and scanned it. Nothing. I was being ridiculous.

When I went back to the bedroom, I threw my sword on the bed. I grabbed Luna’s box and brought her to Io’s room. She was awake and alert, quietly watching me.

I thought again of the fact that Alexandros had made this himself. I wondered why he had. It was a thoughtful gift and seemed so unlike him.

As soon as I set the box down in front of Io, she was lost. “She is the most darling thing I have ever seen! Oh, she is so, so precious. I love her. Aren’t you amazing, Luna? Look how pretty you are!”

Io reached in and offered her palm and Luna climbed onto it. She continued to coo to my lizard and Luna blinked, listening.

“Can she stay here tonight, Lia? We’ll have an overnight party for the animals.”

“Don’t let your cat eat her,” I said.

“Phoebe would never!” She sounded so indignant.

“That’s fine.” I realized that I would miss Luna a little bit. It was odd to be so attached to an animal that couldn’t show me affection, like Io’s cat or ferret. But she had become important to me in a short amount of time.

“You should stay, too,” Io said. “And it will be like before, as if nothing has changed.”

The problem was everything had changed and spending the night with my adelphia wouldn’t make that untrue. I also wanted space and time to myself. “Another night,” I said. “Right now I think we need to hear Ahyana’s story.”

Ahyana told everyone all about her day. Zalira put on a brave face, but I could tell that she was still so sad and now worried for her sister. I stayed and listened, laughing and teasing along with the others. It was nice that not all the teasing was directed at me this time. But Ahyana relished it. She seemed so sure of herself, of Rokh.

I hated that it was going to end in heartbreak. Just as it had for me and Zalira.

A couple of hours later, I told them good night. I again considered Io’s offer to stay but the truth was that I was embarrassed.

Humiliated that my husband didn’t want to be anywhere near me. I knew it would upset Io, and so I didn’t want to draw attention to the fact that I’d be sleeping alone tonight. Ahyana might tell them after I’d left, but I didn’t want to be there when they found out.

I went back into my room and shut the door, locking it behind me. It seemed pointless, given that there were guards on the floor to watch over us. I walked into the washroom, lighting a bunch of candles to fight off the darkness, and locked that door as well.

The dress was easy enough to slip off. I took off the shoulder pins and heard them hit the tiled floor. I stepped away from the dress, sinking into the water.

Closing my eyes, I let the warm water soothe me. I didn’t want to think or worry about anything else. I just wanted to relax.

I slowly pulled in a big breath and then exhaled.

Then I felt large hands closing around my throat, violently shoving me down into the water so that I couldn’t breathe.

Chapter Thirty-Five

I fought back, struggling, but the hands kept me underwater.

Stupid girl, don’t panic!