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Such tragic lives all the way around. “So good,” I said and cleared my throat. Now to circle back to the heart of my questioning. “What did Sorcha do about Callen’s rages? Did she feed him the gelu root?”
“He took it on his own. Most sentinels do. And oh, his lack of emotion because of it drove her to distraction. She hated it and wished so badly she had been his—well, it doesn’t matter now.”
When a fresh swell of tears filled her eyes, I showed her mercy. “That’s enough sadness for one day.” But I did wonder if Callen had taken the gelu root aroundme. As cold as he’d been upon occasion…maybe. “Why don’t you get comfortable and rest up? And Gavina? Thank you for being you. I’m grateful for your kindness today.”
Another blush stained her cheeks. She opened her mouth, closed it. Then she blurted, “I planned on being mean to you. I even called you a terrible name to Callen. That’s when he shared your family history with me. I just…I hated you taking my sister’s place.”
I couldn’t not hug her. “Trust me, I understand. No one could ever take Sorcha’s place, and I don’t plan to try.” Callen had defended me? I mean, Isobel. Wow. An unexpected turn.
Gavina hugged me back tight, as if desperate forcomfort, so of course, I hugged her tighter. No way this woman was having an affair with Callen. She would have admitted it already.
We broke apart, and I strode from the chamber, shutting the door behind me. Excellent. No guards waited nearby. I better get started on my studies and learn as much as I could before facing Callen for our next conversation. A berserker’s temper. Their traditions. Laws and regulations. Punishments and rewards. Fated mates. Gelu root. Anything I could find!
I headed to an empty sitting room one floor down, with the world’s most perfect reading nook. If only I had an array of snacks. But no matter. I lounged atop a red velvet settee, cracked open the hardback history tome and read.
And read.
And read…
By the time I finally closed the book, ice chips flowed in my veins and knots plagued my stomach. If even half these things were true, I might not make it out of this soul switch alive.
A throat cleared, startling me. “Brushing up on our history, Mrs. Bruce?”
Mackenzie, the maid who’d helped me get into Callen’s bedroom, stood in the doorway, balancing a silver tray. The most amazing scents wafted straight to my nose, and my stomach unknotted. Instantly my mouth watered. I wasn’t dead yet, and a girl had to eat.
“Please, call me Elle.” How much time had passed? A quick glance out a window revealed a silvery, moonlit garden. Oh, wow. Hours had indeed passed, yet Callen, the “iron king,” had never come for me. Even though I’d disobeyed a direct order to appear in his bedroom.
“You missed dinner with the others.”
I pressed a hand over my heart. “You brought me leftovers?”
“Not quite.” She placed the tray on the coffee table in front of the couch, revealing a tea set and a bowl of scones.
“Did Callen send you to feed me?” I could think of no other reason for her willingness to approach without a summons.
“Not quite,” she repeated. After pouring the first cup of fragrant floral tea, she hesitated before pouring a second.
So, Callenhadn’tsent her, and she planned to join me? What kind of hate-on-Isobel trickery was this?
“I’ve seen Mirren,” she informed me, a note of affection in her voice. “She’s resting peacefully.”
“I’m glad.” Dare I ask about the girl’s father?
I eased upright, set the book aside and collected my cup and saucer as well as a scone. Mmm. My eyes rolled back as sweet lemon and tart strawberry burst over my tongue. Oh wow. Perfection.
“If you’re done making love tae yer snack,” my companion announced in a dry tone, “I need to speak with you about something important.”
Twin pink circles scorched my cheeks. “Yes. Well. The scone deserved it.”
To my surprise, she appeared to fight a smile.
My heart nearly skipped a beat. Was I winning her over? Making another friend? Not that Gavina was a trusted confidant or anything. Not yet anyway, but the potential was there.
Trying to play it cool and not glom on to Mackenzie, freaking her out, spilling all my secrets and lamenting my woes, I sipped my tea. Oh, good gracious, that was amazing too! “I’ll speak about any subject you wish,” I said. “After you pass my pop quiz.” I didn’t quite understandsomething I’d read; hopefully, she could clarify. “What do you know about the first berserkers?”
“The same tale we’ve all been taught, I suppose.”
“Yes, but maybe I was told something different.”
