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“She can’t be left alone, Kai. She’s too drunk.”

Malaki merely turned his back on them. “I’ll call for Sophie.”

“Sophie already cursed her out in the hall. I don’t think she’s going to be much help,” Richard said as he set her down on the bed.

Wren tried to sit with as much dignity as she could muster, but the room had begun spinning precariously.

“Gods, Sophie. I’ll go find her myself.” Malaki seemed defeated as he turned to Richard. She noticed he diligently avoided looking at her. “Will you stay with her till Sophie or I get back?” Richard nodded and Malaki took his leave of them.

When she heard his door close she fixed a glare on Richard. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

“You do,” was all he said as he stood looking rather uncomfortable.

She tried to stand up to prove her point, but felt like she was going to be sick.

“Listen, I know that my brother can be difficult, but he cares about you.”

She groaned. “Please don’t do this now, Richard. If you feel like you owe me anything, then don’t do this now. Please.” She couldn’t handle any more guilt than what was already weighing her down.

They sat in silence until a very angry Sophie came storming through her door. She looked at Wren and put her hands on her hips. “I am doing this for him because he asked me to. That is the only reason why.” She moved towards Wren taking off her shoes.

“Is he—?” asked Richard.

“In the training yard.” Sophie nodded. Richard left without another word and it was just her and Sophie.

Wren had never had Sophie’s temper directed at her and she was quite certain she would do anything to never have it happen again. “Sophie, please. I can take care of myself.”

Sophie ignored her and began unlacing her gown. “Sophie!” shouted Wren.

“What?” Sophie shouted back.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for all of it.” Wren didn’t fight the tears that built behind her eyes. She had made such a mess of everything and hurt everyone she had come to care about.

Sophie paused, considering Wren before she knelt in front of her taking her hands in hers. “You stupid girl. He was trying. I thought maybe…”

Wren shook her head. “I’m so confused, Sophie. I don’t even know what I am and sometimes my emotions feel so powerful like I can’t fight them. I am not saying I am not to blame. I know I’ve made this mess. I just, I don’t know.”

Sophie’s face softened a fraction. “Do you love him?”

Wren wasn’t even sure whichhimSophie meant, and that made her all the more ashamed.

The answer was the same either way. “I don’t know.”

Sophie shook her head. “Truly, I did not know goddesses were so fickle.”

Wren looked up, finding a smile on Sophie’s face. “You forgive me, just like that?” she asked, not daring to hope.

“No. I’m still very mad at you. But I also can see that you are hurting, and believe it or not, you are my friend. Now let’s get this goddess to sleep before the wine makes a second appearance.”

Wren knew then that she would never deserve Sophie no matter how many lifetimes she lived.

Chapter 26

Thenextdaywasspent with Wren in bed vowing never to even look at wine and nursing a foul headache. By the second day she was finally able to get out of bed, but wasn’t sure she even wanted to. That decision was soon ripped from her.

Sophie came through her door and looked at her assessing how ill she still was. Whatever she saw was enough because she said, “You had better get dressed. There is a delegation from North Helm arriving. Princess Mary is with them, but more importantly, so is their sorcerer.”

Wren sat up abruptly, causing the room to spin slightly.