Page 43 of A Tempest of Intrigue (Tempest of Shadows #4)
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Ellery
“You have a lovely home, milady,” Gaius commented when I returned from gathering Ivan’s money.
I’d left him in the hall and asked him to stay there, but apparently that meant he was free to roam, as I found him in the dining room. This time, I didn’t hide my irritation as I stared at him from the front hallway.
“Thank you,” I said in a clipped tone.
I set the trunk with Ivan’s carisle down and opened the front door. The fresh air, carrying the hint of horses, chickens, and sheep, was a welcome contrast to the claustrophobic feel of the manor.
Keeping my hand on the knob, I stared pointedly at Gaius. Not only was I not going in there with him, but I was determined to make it clear I didn’t approve of him being so comfortable in my home. He was as determined to ignore my obvious hints as he smiled at me before turning to the large portrait over the fireplace.
The portrait had taken a beating when Samael and his men came here and destroyed almost everything while searching for Ivan’s stolen money. They’d ruined my mother’s artwork, vases, family heirlooms, and many of our prized possessions.
But that painting, which I’d hated sitting for so many years ago, miraculously survived their brutality. I was glad to have the portrait but couldn’t bring myself to look at my mother and father’s smiling faces with Gaius here.
My grief over losing my mother was still too raw; I’d hate myself forever if I cried in front of this man. Instead, I stared at the wall next to his head while I coached myself toward patience.
It had never been my strong suit, but I needed it now. Gaius had a powerful position in this realm, and I was its most wanted criminal and female.
After far too long, Gaius turned to face me. His attention shifted to the chest at my feet. “Is that all of it?”
“We have all the carisle for him, but there is one more chest I have to get.”
“Ivan will be pleased.”
“I hope so. Will he be coming to pick out the horses himself when they’re ready, or will he send you?”
“Oh, I’m sure that’s something he’d like to do for himself, but I’ll gladly accompany him if it means getting a chance to see you again.”
“I’ll get the other chest.”
Before he could reply, I turned and walked away. I strode down the hall to where I’d left the second chest on the kitchen table.
Ryker would help out when necessary, but giving Ivan so much of our money really irritated me. The man had done nothing to deserve it.
When I returned with the remaining chest, I discovered the front door was closed and Gaius wasn’t where I’d left him. My skin crawled as an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach.
He’d purposely closed the door to unnerve me and to try to assert dominance; he’d also locked it. Son of a bitch.
My breath was loud as I drew it in through my nostrils. Remain calm. Remain calm.
That was tough to do when I only wanted to ensure this man never reproduced. My fingers flexed, and my nails dug into my palms as lightning fired against my skin.
I hadn’t pulled my power from the earth or air, but it crackled against me before I suppressed it. No matter how much I’d like to hear him scream, I couldn’t slip up in front of him.
My skin crawled at the idea of this man wandering freely through my home. He was probably touching my things to prove he could.
I gripped the lock but didn’t turn it. Instead, I felt compelled to face my home once more.
At one time, it was so warm and welcoming, but now its emptiness and lack of love overwhelmed me. The fresh scent of my mother’s cooking had faded from the air, and while her rose scent lingered, her presence and love were gone.
I rubbed my chest over the place where my battered heart continued to beat despite being broken. I could never have those happier days back, and having Gaius in my house, going through the rooms and examining my family’s things, further alienated me from this place that was once my sanctuary.
I suspected he’d moved upstairs as he wasn’t in the dining room or parlor. I’d come from the kitchen, so that was ruled out, and while he could be in the den or library, he would have grown bored with them and emerged by now.
Nausea churned in my belly at the idea of him in my room. I was sure he expected me to go after him, to stop him, but I wouldn’t play his sick game. We had nothing left of value; his cronies had ensured that, so let him touch and look.
It probably wouldn’t be my house for much longer anyway, and there was nothing for him to find. I’d scrubbed all evidence of my robberies from the home.
Instead, I chose fresh air and freedom as I turned the lock, opened the door, and stepped outside. I carried the chests out, so he’d have no reason to return to the manor when he finally appeared again.
Fighting my rising resentment over being so powerful yet so impotent, I stalked to the edge of the porch and leaned against the rail. Despite the August heat, I ran my hands up and down my arms as I tried to rid myself of the chill in my bones; it didn’t work.
A familiar creek of wood from the hallway drew my attention to Gaius as he stepped into the doorway. His face remained unreadable, but anger simmered in his eyes; yes, he’d expected me to follow him and had probably been waiting for me in my room.
I wasn’t going to be able to sleep in there tonight. I might never sleep in my bed again.