“We tried, but by the time we got blood into you the wound had been there for too long. It’s a wicked scar though! It makes you look even more desirable. It lets others know how vicious you are.”
I scoffed, and splashed water at him.
“Can I help? I’ll wash if you’d like?” Ronan’s eyes were hopeful, with a bit of mischief thrown in. I looked away.
“I think I need some time to think, if you don’t mind.” Ronan stood, his face serious.
“He doesn’t deserve you, or your compassion.”
I was tired and didn’t feel like fighting.
“Like you said it’s my choice, and not yours.”
With a grunt he left. I picked up a hand mirror on the side of the pool, exploring the new contours of my face. I wasn’t upset about my appearance; I had never much thought of it to begin with. Rather, I was more concerned how every time Benedict looked at me, all he would see were his brother’s final moments.
FOURTEEN
For the next week I stayed in my bedroom, refusing to come out. Kieran, Ronan, and even Georg teamed together to keep me dressed, clothed, and even hand-fed me. As the days wore on, I couldn’t help the empty hole in my chest, draining my energy and making it difficult to get out of bed. I tried to sleep at night, but it always felt as though something—or someone—was missing, and I’d wake up more exhausted than the previous evening. Kieran and Ronan were starting to share my frustrations, my silence and mood wearing on them. I wanted to discuss with them my suspicions about D’Arcy, but Kieran got angry anytime I brought it up, so I stopped trying.
“Do you like books?”
Kieran was trying to tempt me with a sandwich, but I stayed in bed, uninterested. I sat up slightly at Georg’s question and his eyes lit up, sensing my interest.
“You have a library here?”
Georg nodded; his eyes wide.
“We have lots of books! I haven’t read many, but Domik knows where everything is!” I swung my feet out of bed, considering. If I were going to figure out what D’Arcy was up to, it would do me good to learn more about the Demon Wars and the Overlord, wouldn’t it? My historical knowledge was literally nonexistent. I glanced over at Kieran and Ronan, who were just happy I was willingly getting out of bed.
I slid on my boots and threw my hair up in a braid. Georg clapped excitedly and swiped a sandwich into his pocket. I pretended not to notice, and instead weighed whether I would need my daggers. I snorted. What a stupid question. I strapped them on top of my breeches and tried on one of the fresh new tunics. Kieran said another draken had made them for me as a gift to try and coax me out of my room. The material was soft and ended midthigh in order to effectively hide my daggers. Perhaps this was proof not all the drakens hated me or believed Bair’s death was my fault.
“Alright Georg, where’s this library?”
Kieran and Ronan trailed behind us as Georg happily led me through the fortress, and I vaguely wondered if there was a map somewhere. It would help me to learn the ins and outs, because I couldn’t rely on Georg leading me around forever, could I? We walked for some time and didn’t see any other drakens. I remarked as much to Georg, who cringed slightly.
“Ah, well...Bair’s burning ceremony is today.” I halted. “You can ask Domik about it; I don’t know much. It’s how they bury their dead. It doesn’t happen often now, obviously.” He closed his mouth, knowing he was rambling. We finally crossed through a rounded archway, and into a large room. I stared at the shelves that lined every crevice, cut carefully into the stone. Stalagmites on the floor were also carved inwards to hold books, creating a veritable maze of knowledge in front of me. It was quite clever, and there were so many books! I walked over to a shelf, and randomly chose one. The script was foreign to me, all odd squiggles and markings.
“I’d be shocked if you could read that; it’s the draken language.”
Georg and I both jumped as a voice rang out, bouncing off the stone walls. A short, stocky draken appeared, his scales burnt orange that tapered to a deep brown on his lower half. His eyes were a startling shade of orange, and I admit that I stared. His brown hair was tied back in a ponytail. When I finally glanced away, he chuckled.
“The female has finally graced me with her presence.” His tone was neutral, but there was a slight hint of resentment.
“Sorry,” I replied, “I honestly didn’t know all this was here. Are there any maps of the fortress? That would be helpful. You must be Domik.”
He flushed, the orange tone of his skin flushing a dark blue.
“I included several maps in your chambers when you first arrived. Were they not acceptable?”
I blushed, my mind going to the neat shelf in my sitting room I hadn’t perused yet.
“My apologies; had I known you had sent me gifts I certainly would have used them. As it was, everything was just a bit...overwhelming. I haven’t looked at anything in my chambers besides the wardrobe.”
He sniffed but appeared a bit pacified. I realized I’d have to go through my rooms tonight and see if there were any more gifts. No wonder the other drakens thought me rude.
“Of course. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
I grinned predatorily. “Yes, actually. Quite a few things.”
A few hours later Georg and I were on the floor before
