I whip my head up to look at him “You spied on these people?” “After they never responded to the letters, I asked a few close acquaintances to dig up their whereabouts.” Lukas says, not guilty in the least “I wouldn’t call it spying if it’s for the safety of the country. It’s more of an undisclosed
Thunder roars above our heads. Lady Starcovesky growls lowly “We are not murders, boy. We aren’t going to harm the girl.” Zen says nothing, only looks down at her icily. The expression on his face is inscrutable, and if it wasn’t for the utter stillness of his frame, I would think he’s as calm as
“Worry not, scholar.” Lady Starcovesky says, noticing the look on my face, and hands me the small lamp “She’s not dangerous. It’s likely that she would just overlook you when she doesn’t recognize you.” I nod, and push fear to the very back of my mind. It doesn’t matter anyway. This is what I came
Lady Starcovesky gives me a somber glance, and closes the door behind. The smell of blood and the sound of singing is forever burned in my memory. “Did you pray for her?” She asks me, her eyes downcast “Will… she find peace?” I’m at a loss for words. Everything that comes to mind turns to dust on
“Hey!” A familiar voice calls from one of the bigger tables “You three! Over here!” I turn my head, and find the other four already at the table. Lukas, Zen and I walk over to the rest of the expedition team. Zen pulls a chair for me, before pulling a chair from a nearby free table and putting it a
“It’s empty,” Lukas peers at it from the side “Are you sure this has traces?” “It reeks.” Zen says simply “And it’s warm. Like it’s been placed beside a fire for long.” I can’t say anything of what it smells like, but I felt the same thing. It’s oddly warm. “It’s buzzing too.” I touch a finger to
“God, I’m dying.” In the underground library, surrounded by piles of books on the cold floor, I’m sitting leaning against a bookshelf. It’s been three days since we found that notebook. Two days since Lady Starcovesky’s daughter-in-law was swiftly executed by one of Lukas’ people. One day since I’
“What do you mean?” My voice has lost all joviality Arzen barks out a laugh at the look on my face, the condescending smile that I’ve come to associate with him flickering over his lips, golden eyes crinkled. “At ease, my dear. I only meant that the Empress has asked me to escort you to the Royal
I barely manage to find a waste bucket before everything I had for breakfast retches out. My throat burns. My vision is blurry. I dry heave every single thing in my stomach, warmth seeps out of the corners of my eyes. I can’t breathe. The smell of blood is everywhere. I sit there, holding the edges
The smell of rotting flesh is disgusting. Its muscle memory to pull the gloves over my hands, pick a scalpel off the medical tray. The body on the metal table in front of me has no head. ‘You have to take a sample of flesh, a sample of blood and take a look at the internal organs.’ Aunt Cynthia’s
How adorable. Apparently, I’m the only one who thinks so, since when I turn back around, everyone from the fourth prince and the first order to passing strangers and our coachman is looking on in disbelief. Is it so difficult to imagine Zen would get along with children? “Don’t leave your mouth ha
“My Lady, am I mistaken or is the fourth prince avoiding me?” I look up from knotting the satchel to my belt to face Zen. There’s a slight furrow in his brows, and he looks at Lukas, standing far, far from us and talking with the first order soldiers. The fourth prince has indeed, been avoiding Ze
I need to move. But even as I think that, I cant bring myself to move. He’s holding me too firmly, I think, entirely reasonable. I won’t be able to slip away like this. Even the most critical part of me can’t find that to be entirely an excuse. After last night, I doubt there’s anyone who would lik
I wake up to the sound of a door knock. My sleep hazed brain registers the sound, recognizes it, and promptly ignores it in favor of cuddling into the warmth of my bed once more. I don’t want to wake up just yet, since last night I fell asleep so late— Last night? My eyes open, blurry with sleep,
But he’s looking at me now, as if the answer might crush him, as if he’s bracing himself for it. I reach out to drape my arms over his shoulders gently, they hang down in front of his chest lightly. “Why? Because you did your job?” I ask quietly, hold his gaze “Or because you didn’t hesitate to do
“Lift your arm, please.” I say, and my voice comes out soft If we weren’t sitting so close to each other, I would’ve missed it. His shoulders tense up, the even breathing stilled into nothing. “You don’t have to do that, Dinah.” Zen finally says My brows furrow. Zen might be a warrior among warri
On the second floor hallway of the hotel, my eyes drift to the room where Zen is supposed to be. My room is just at its side. I wonder if I knock on his door right now, would he be annoyed? He did ask not to be disturbed. The image of his bloodied arm flashes in my mind. Just a moment. I just want