Page 17 of Aubade Rising
I’m not exactly in the best of moods as I make my way through the soaked lawns back up to the palace. My whole body is wracked with shivers and I wrap my arms tightly across my chest, attempting to preserve what little warmth I have remaining.
I’m nearly at the entrance to the palace, craving the warmth of my rooms, desperate to dry my toes on the heated floor, when I’m interrupted by Captain Devath, lurking in the entryway.
“About time.” He surveys my dishevelled form and smirks as I drip water on the stone steps.
“Why are you waiting here?” I’m not in the mood to deal with his mercurial behaviour right now.
“You requested an escort today, did you not? You have essential business in the city, I’m told.” He leans casually against the palace doorway, his huge frame blocking my way in.
Security has been much stricter since the rebels claimed responsibility for the attacks and I am surprised my request was even granted.
“Yes, but not until later. I wasn’t expecting it to be you though.” This day is not going my way; I’ve had my fill of irritating men.
“I’m a palace guard.”
“You’re the Captain of the Guards, the King’s Verax.
” I don’t buy his excuse for a second. “Well, I have to change. You can wait for me here.” I try to shake some of the dirt off my clothes as I walk past him but I don’t even make a difference.
The salt spray coming off the distant ocean acts like glue and the rain pelting at my back isn’t helping either.
“You don’t look any different from normal to me,” he retorts, looking pleased with his comeback.
I roll my eyes at his obvious attempt to rile me. I’m not going to rise to it today.
Not the reaction he was hoping for evidently and he continues to block my path. “Does the offer to see your laboratory stand?”
I cross my arms and wait for an apology from him for running off last time and ignoring me for so long afterwards.
It’s been three weeks now. I see him pacing round the palace, glowering.
He still makes time over dinner to socialise with different women and is all smiles then, but this is the first time he’s acknowledged my offer.
Haelyn hasn’t mentioned any library trysts, not that I’ve asked of course, but something or someone has been occupying his time.
Although an apology is unlikely, some explanation would be nice.
He is nonplussed and evidently is going to need it spelled out for him.
“You ran off last time without so much as an apology or goodbye. Then you’ve been avoiding me ever since.”
“You want an apology?” His tone is surprisingly cold and my heart beats faster when faced with his unexpected anger. Clearly, I shouldn’t have assumed he’d got his bad mood out of his system.
“Preferably; an explanation would be nice too.” I’m not giving in on this one. Common courtesy or even communicating like an adult is surely not too much to ask. We must look ridiculous though, arguing by the entrance to the palace, neither willing to concede in the pouring rain.
“You’re being absurd.” He throws his hands up in disgust and walks back into the palace grounds.
I leave him to his fuming. If he wants to skulk around in the rain, then good for him. Hopefully, at some point, he’ll calm enough to see my point of view.