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She hadn’t cleaned and done household chores since she left Briar Hollow and it felt strangely good. She felt useful. At Castle Dredwich servants did everything. Fennan even reprimanded her once for trying to saddle her own horse.

She giggled to herself thinking of the days when her maids wanted to help her take a bath and she couldn’t even fathom the idea. Why would any adult need help washing their own hair? It was a luxury, she supposed, one she still wasn’t used to.

It was nice to be waited on and not have to worry about cooking meals or cleaning, to always have new clean clothes and bedsheets changed out regularly, but right now she appreciated the work. She didn’t think abouthimand what he might be doing or if he was in danger. As the cloth ran over the top of the dark dining wood table, she thought of Aunt Evalyn. “Damn it,” Layala cursed and stood straight, resting a fist on her hip.

Footsteps hurried from the corridor and Hel peeked around the corner of the wall. “What happened?”

“Oh nothing. It’s just, when I went out the other day and was bitten by the pale one, I went to get my aunt things from her list. I never got them to her, and I didn’t tell her I was leaving so now she’s going to worry.” Layala dropped the towel into the bucket and blew a stray hair off her forehead. “I assume I can’t get her a message through realms.”

He looked relieved. “I gave them to her.”

Layala’s brows shot up. She didn’t even know Hel knew about Aunt Evalyn beyond that she was the woman who raised her, let alone about the list or where she was. “You did?”

“Before we left. I wanted to know why you were out in the woods in the first place and discovered the note she sent in your room, so I found the items and list on your horse.”

Layala watched him warily. “Did you go see her?” How else would he have gotten them to her? She didn’t want him anywhere near Aunt Evalyn. And if she knew Layala was withthe Black Mage, she’d lose her mind.

“And if I did?”

“You didn’t—do anything to her. Tell me you didn’t hurt her.”

He stepped further into the room and set the broom against the wall. “I do you a favor and deliver the items on the list and you think I hurt your aunt?”

“It’s not as if it would be wayward behavior for you. You’ve threatened Piper and Thane on multiple accounts, and if you didn’t find Vesstan useful you’d have killed him. I know it.”

“I did kill him. He’s dead. Notice the old mage wasn’t around for the last few lessons.”

Layala’s heart ached and slammed into her ribs. She recalled this threat about drowning Vesstan in the pond. “You didn’t.”

He chuckled. “No, I didn’t kill him. I do things with purpose and reason.”

“You killed the guards the day you arrived!”

“And those guards were so important to you?”

“No, but that’s not the point.”

“You tried to kill me in the tower before ever even speaking to me. You’re not Miss Innocent.”

“Oh, I wonder why? And you cut open my wrist and drank my blood without permission.”

“I’d say it was necessary, but I wanted to know what you tasted like, too.” He smirked. “I’m surprised War put up with your attitude for so long. He needs a sweet girl, and you’re far from that.”

“Ugh, you’re—you’re—”

“A fucking asshole, yes. I’m the bad guy. Don’t forget it either.” He snatched up the broom. “And I didn’t hurt your aunt. I didn’t even go to see her. I sent the items by magic.” He left the room and the sound of the straw broom scraping the floor started up again.

After an hour or so the tension melted away. The three of them sat down for a meal and it was as if they never had the argument.

Layala lost track of the days after that.

She cried herself to sleep at night thinking about and missing Thane, woke up and trained with Hel. Usually practicing magic in the yard, turning herself into shadow over and over or creating a shield to protect herself against his attacks. He wasn’t as hard on her as in the past. As if being away from Thane and Palenor put him at ease.

They cleaned, patched holes, ate meals together though she complained about the lack of variety. “Something other than fruit from the trees, nuts, and dried meat would be nice.”

Presco slaughtered a giant bird and roasted it, but it lacked salt or much flavor. Without a general store nearby, they didn’t have luxuries. And outings to the pub for a drink and a meal were few and far between.

As the days went on they chatted like three old friends. She supposed that’s what they were.