“It’s settled, then.” Yazmin stood, beckoning to the Mistari, and the beast padded toward me. Heavy white paws smashed against the tile, and he paused before me to angle his forehead to mine. Light sparked in the air between us, and a door to the beast realm opened. A glimmer of relief chased away some of his pain, and the Mistari disappeared. A careful smile stretching her lips, Yazmin approached us. “What now, Leena?”
I blinked. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Your name is clear, and the Council is short a member.” Her smile deepened. “A Mistari, a Laharock, and a Myad. You’re more than qualified to petition for the seat.”
The Council. It was something I’d strived to attain from the moment they banished me. Proof that I was right. That I was strong enough. My gaze skipped to Raven. She refused to meet my eyes. I wasn’t sure I’d be entirely welcome, but if she was up to something, then maybe I needed to be here. Needed to help protect the Council from whatever she had up her sleeve.
One look at Noc told me he wouldn’t say no. He wouldn’t stand in the way of the dreams I’d been chasing. But to accept such an offer meant I’d spend less time at Cruor. Less time with him.
“I’m not sure.”
Yazmin didn’t falter. “Think about it. We won’t decide for a few weeks.”
Noc reached for my hand, and the jet-black oath on his wrist blared up at me. My gaze darted to Raven, needing to see her reaction. “The oath is still in place.”
Six pairs of eyes slanted to his wrist, none of them betraying even a sliver of damning evidence. Yazmin’s brow furrowed. “We’ll conduct a search on our end to find the culprit. Rest assured, you’ve been pardoned.”
Exhaustion racked my body, but unease simmered in my veins. Raven still avoided my prying eyes. “Thank you, Yazmin.”
She nodded. “For now, get yourself cleaned up. Breathe. A lot has happened.” With a soft smile, she placed a hand on my shoulder. “And be sure to consider our offer.”
Thirty-five
Noc
Kaori whisked Leena and me away from the grand hall toward the first floor of the castle. As we broke out into the gardens, I glanced back to the battlefield where my brothers waited. Basins of water and platters of food were spread out between them, and they rested with wary eyes. Save Calem. He met my stare across the clearing with his signature grin, unaware of the newly formed silver line threading around his pupil.
What have I done?
Leena’s hand found mine. “He’ll be okay.” She hesitated at the bottom of the stairs leading to the keep. “He has to be okay.”
“He’ll be fine,” Kaori said. She had decidedly fox-like features with sharp, inquisitive eyes and a slender face. She affixed her black locks on top of her head with the leaf pin she’d used to give Calem her blood.
Leena cast her eyes to the ground. “Your Ossilix saved Calem’s life, and for that, I am in your debt.”
Those should have been my words. I pulled Leena close and reveled in her scent. “Leena, you are not at fault. This is what happens when people fight.” My mind rewound to the days before my death, to the countless years spent on the battlefield watching my friends and family die.
This wasn’t any different.
“He’s right.” Kaori turned to study the Council members disappearing down a corridor of marble stones and ash-tree roots. Only Yazmin had returned to the battlefield. “Don’t worry about Calem. Right now, I can still feel him. He’s got a strong mind. If anyone can learn to manage with a monster in his veins, it’s him.”
A monster in his veins and a void in his heart. Kaori couldn’t have heard my thoughts, but her head turned toward me, a knowing look touching her expression before she continued down the hall.
We followed in silence to a wing in the castle reserved for guests. She showed us to a heavy plank table overflowing with a variety of food and an ornate armoire packed with clean, fresh clothes. After pointing out the bathroom, Kaori left, shutting the door to the outside world and leaving Leena and me alone for the first time in days.
Yazmin’s words rang in my brain. As per our customs, your anam-cara is permitted to attend the hearing.
Anam-cara. I knew the word from my studies. Like nae miele, it spoke of a deeper connection, but there was something