Page 47 of The Malice of Moons and Mages (The Broken Bonds of Magic #1)

Forty-Seven

Selene

M aya’ s screams were louder and longer than Grethin’s death had taken. The servant’s husk crumbled on the floor. Motes of dried skin drifted in the air.

Selene dipped her hands in the water basin atop a table, before drying them on a towel. Kanata held Maya, trying to turn the girl’s face away from Grethin’s remains. The ferret trembled from its cage in the corner.

“I warned you about respect,” Selene said, while donning her gloves. “You brought this about.”

Maya’s lip trembled. “I don’t understand.” Her voice dissolved into sobs.

“I thought the poem was kind at first, an apology for your pet’s behavior. On closer examination, I noticed your little rendition of the beast.” Selene laid the towel next to the basin. “Was it meant to inspire guilt? Try to manipulate me again, girl, and it won’t be your servant in ashes.”

Maya shook her head, two braids danced around her shoulders. “I just wanted you to have something of her. Grethin didn’t do anything. She?—”

“You were under her supervision. All your actions are a reflection of her, Kanata, and myself.” Selene glanced at the tutor, whose eyes remained downcast. Maya continued to cry. “I suggest you remember that in the future.”

Maya’s sobs followed Selene down the hallway as the door closed. The sound bothered her more than it should have. Still, better the girl learn that disrespect would not be tolerated.

Bolin leaned against the wall outside her rooms, chatting with the two guards stationed there. One guard looked more interested than she liked. Dark circles ringed Bolin’s eyes. “Where were you?”

“Dealing with the girl.”

The guards opened the doors as Bolin shadowed her inside. She tossed her gloves on a table. “Why haven’t you killed her by now?”

“I’m still considering it.”

“You’ve never hesitated before. What’s different this time?”

She shrugged, annoyed she didn’t have a decent answer. Perhaps she was growing sentimental. “Is everything ready?”

He nodded. “I selected the mages myself, two ten stars, the rest all four to nine stars. Two squadrons and horses to spare. Plenty of provisions. But the cold?—”

“No word yet?” She knew the answer, even if she didn’t know his every emotion, the despair etched on his face told her. She gently cupped his cheek. “Don’t worry. We would have heard if something had happened.”

“I shouldn’t have let him go.”

“I allowed it.” She stared at his mouth, considered tasting his lips, but it wasn’t the time. “You had no say in the matter.”

He pulled away and wiped his eyes. “We should leave soon. No point in wasting time.”

Her hand lingered in the air before retracting. “Make it so.”

Bolin left without a backward glance. His heart had always been Xiang’s, and she’d hoped he would come to her if the general suddenly vanished. But if Bolin’s heart broke, she would suffer with him. And that was the last thing she wanted.

They’d push the horses and troops through the higher elevations. A risk this time of year but taking those roads might give them the element of surprise. Sacrifices would have to be made, but that had never stopped her before.