Page 21

Chapter Twenty-One

Annora

I shift and draw my pillow close. Sadly, it doesn’t ease the ache in my chest, the longing to be with Jasce.

I close my eyes, remembering how he looked at me last night, as if I were precious, as if I were whole. Not broken or scarred.

Just Annora. His Annora.

Sadness needles deep into my chest as I force myself out of bed. The washbasin awaits, filled with fresh water and sprigs of lavender and rosemary that Breda must have brought while I slept.

The sadness deepens as I splash my face and scrub my skin, then work to untangle my hair. From the armoire, I choose one of my favorite cotehardies. The color always reminds me of the night sky just before dawn.

A few moments later, I step out of my bedchamber and turn toward Emerin’s door, determined to see her, determined to make sure she’s all right.

My steps slow when I reach her bedchamber, where the door stands open, and she sits at a table full of bread, fruit, cheese, and ham.

I rush into her room as she rises from her chair. We collide in an embrace that nearly knocks us both over, but I don’t care.

Joy soars through me as I wrap my arms around her, breathing in the familiar scent of marjoram that always clings to her hair.

“I was so worried,” I say through the tightness in my throat. “Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”

“I’m fine, Rora.” She pulls back just enough to gesture at the spread on her table. “Aleksander brought me a proper breakfast.”

Desperate to make sure she’s all right, I cup her face between my palms, searching for any sign of mistreatment. “I was so worried about you.”

“I know.” She catches my hands in hers and squeezes them. “But I’m all right. I promise.”

Together, we sit at the table, and she returns to her meal.

“You should eat something,” she says as she pushes a plate toward me.

Long strands of hair brush against my shoulders as I shake my head. “I’m not hungry.”

Emerin breaks off a piece of bread and sets it in front of me anyway. “Remember when we were little and you’d always make sure I finished my meals?”

“That’s different. You were sick a lot back then.”

“And now you’re the one who needs taking care of.

” She pops a grape into her mouth before continuing.

“Being locked in here gave me time to think about everything,” she says as she gestures to parchment scattered across her bed.

“I’ve been writing and planning what I want to do when this is all over.

And I’m thinking about opening a healing house somewhere quiet. ”

My heart tightens with love for her. Even after everything she’s been through, she still dreams, still hopes.

“You’re amazing, Em. How do you stay so—”

“—positive?” She reaches across the table, covering my hand with hers. “Because I have you, and I know whatever happens, we’ll face it together. Just like we always have.”

“We will.”

“Remember when we used to sneak into the kitchen late at night?” Emerin breaks off another piece of bread. “You’d always keep watch while I stole the honey cakes.”

“And you’d always save the biggest one for me. Though, I still think you were better at being lookout.”

“You were the one who created that brilliant distraction with the cats when one of the cooks almost caught us.” The dimples in her cheeks deepen as she smiles. “I’ve never seen someone move so fast, gathering up all those kittens.”

“They scattered everywhere. The poor cook thought the palace was being invaded by tiny furry demons.”

“And Grandfather never found out. You know what else he never found out? How many times you protected me from his temper. How you’d take the blame for things I did wrong.”

My throat tightens. “Em—”

“—no, let me finish.” She reaches across the table and grips my hand again. “You’ve always been the strong one, Rora. Even when you didn’t believe it yourself. Now it’s my turn to be strong for you.”

“But you shouldn’t have to—”

“—I want to.” She stands, moving around the table to sit beside me. “You’re not alone in this. Whatever comes next, whatever Aleksander and Asha are planning, we face it together.”

When did she mature so much? Gone is the fragile girl who needed protecting. In her place sits a woman with iron in her spine and fire in her heart.

“When did you get so wise?” I ask.

“I learned from the best.” She grins again as she adds, “Now eat your bread before I force-feed it to you like you used to do to me.”