Page 54 of In The Dark
“And that requires you to be in my room?” I look over, realizing I left the window propped open last night, leaving the room incredibly chilly.
“Yes,”he replies.“Unless you meet with him. Then I won’t need to be here.”His voice drips sarcasm.
“Who knew birds had sarcasm?” I mutter.
“I have a lot of things, but patience isn’t one of them,”he quips, and I groan.
“Well, it looks like you and the king have a lot in common then,” I mutter.
It’s been almost two weeks since I’ve arrived back at the castle, so I guess it’s time I meet with him. But how exactly am I going to leave the castle without raising suspicion?
I haven’t had a mission since I’ve been back, but someone is bound to look for me the moment I leave. Ezra got a mission shortly after our hunting trip and should be back by now, but I haven’t checked.
Unfortunately, I believe Ren’s purposely holding out on giving me missions now that he’s captain. Not that I mind after finding out what the king had me doing for so long, but it does concern me—waking up to find nothing shoved under my door after weeks of getting missions back-to-back.
“I’ll see if I can meet with him today. Hold on.” I fling the quilts off, quickly writing another note before handing it off.
I watch as Ire exits through the middle window, leaving me alone with my swirling thoughts. The anticipation of seeing Rydian causes my pulse to race. I expect a quick response, but after a few minutes, nothing comes through.
It’s strange how my stomach tightens at the thought of him, something I can’t seem to easily shake. And here I thought putting space between us would help mend these unexpected feelings, yet here I am, realizing that it might’ve just made it worse. He stirs something in me that feels both exhilarating and terrifying, and I’m not sure I like it.
Why does he affect me this way when he’s no different than any other male I’ve been around? Why does he seem to throw me off so easily?
My heart races, a part of me craving connection with someone, yet fear grips my chest, and I’m not sure he’s what I need right now. Not when my mother could be alive, currently missing.
How do I search for someone I didn’t even know existed until a few weeks ago? What happens if I find her—dead or alive? I chew my lip, too afraid to answer that.
Unaware of how I’ve zoned out standing near the windows, I look down to find myself tossing an orb in between my hands the size of my palm.
I stumble back, hitting the table behind me, when the orb sputters out. A groan escapes me, and I wipe my hands on my night slip, warmth settling in the middle of my palms as I stare in awe.
I still haven’t said a word to Ezra about being able to wield more—too anxious about the Siphon. The knowledge of being Shadovar puts me at risk for being targeted, especially if they find out I can wield their magic. Still, it gnaws at me, keeping this information from him.The secrets.
I’ve trained with him almost every day since we arrived, seeing him for a couple of hours before being sent off. Then a thought crosses my mind as I push my hair away from my face.
Huffing, I stride to my wardrobe and dress, braiding my hair down my back, ensuring to tightly secure the auburn patch. Sheathing my weapons, I grab my cloak and scarf.
Wind whirls at my face as soon as the door opens, a flutter of snowflakes rushing up the stairs from the opening below. Winter has made its final appearance, and it feels as if it’s approached much faster than the previous years. I squint against the wind, clasping my cloak under my chin. Boots thud on the icy stone as I descend, heading to the commons to find Ezra.
I swing the doors open, finding a few of my brethren eating at the tables, everyone pivoting to look at me before going back to eating. A fire blazes in the back, warding off the chill from the previous night, and I spot Ezra eating at a table with the group.
Ren accompanies them, briefly meeting my gaze before returning to his breakfast. After last night, I had hoped to have come to a truce, but he hardly lifted his head as I blazed through the doors. As if he knew it was me storming through.
I fix a plate and walk to where Ezra sits, then sit down myself. “How was your mission?”
“It was good. I just got back last night,” Ezra says. “Were yousleeping in? You’re usually the first one in the arena.” The corners of his mouth lift as he takes another mouthful.
“I didn’t sleep in—I just wasn’t here,” I reply, throwing a piece of biscuit. “Since when do I sleep in? You’re the one I usually have to drag out of bed at the break of dawn.”
“Because my nights are an absolute delight.”
“You and I both know that’s a lie when I have to beg you to join me at the Painted Bird.” I chuckle, and then Luke pivots in our direction.
“Did you hear about the new weapons being forged?” Luke asks, his eyes eager. I meet his gaze, shaking my head at the information. New weapons are being forged?
“What new weapons?” I ask, meeting Ren’s gaze from down the table.
Luke lowers his voice. “The king is forging weapons out of a new material. I’m not sure we’re supposed to know, but I heard whispers about it on a mission a few weeks ago.”