Page 93 of Nocturn

“It is the only piece of literature I could think of that may have an answer about your faltering abilities.” My throat tightened, causing the words to struggle to escape. “Or to see if there was a way for me to remain with you.”

I did not have to fake the emotion in my voice.

The furrowing of his eyebrows as a muscle spasmed in his jaw was the only indicator of his struggle. As if coming to a decision, he gripped my jaw.

“Enjoy the time you have left.”

There was no anger in his tone, or much of anything. He said it softly, his silky voice settling over me. Somehow it hurt more than any insult he could have spat out.

I rolled my lips between my teeth before the tremble escaped.

A knock resonated through the Archives, deep and vibrating. I startled, but Cassiel did not seem surprised.

“They are here for you.”

With that short, abrupt comment, the warning bells went off. He had not looked at me, not truly.

A thick knot formed in my chest, and I stood so fast I knocked into the seat. “Yes, my lord.” I did not recognize my tension-riddled words.

His turned away from me.

With a curtsy, I turned on my slippers and left to the entrance. I had spent so long in here . . . I swept my gaze over the shelves as I passed.

Upon stepping out, I found myself staring at Eliza.

“Lady Drusilla awaits you in the feeder wing,” she announced in her abrupt manner.

My gaze snagged on the inner side of her elbow. She tugged the hem of her sleeve down, but the sleeve did not reach past the forearm.

“Were you here to visit Al?”

“You are much too curious for a redblood. Did no one teach you to keep questions to yourself?”

I clamped my teeth together. She was in a particularly foul mood, and I was in no better mental state. So it was best that I keep my mouth shut. We reached the feeder wing. An officer swept the door open for us.

It was madness inside.

Fabrics sprawled across the parlor, and a divider had been stretched out. Vera poked her head out from behind it.

“Amara! You must look at these beautiful dresses,” she preened and disappeared. There were sounds of zipping and shuffling.

“Stay still,” Branwen ordered, similarly veiled by the divider.

Eliza moved to the side and folded her hands in front of her brown smock. As I rounded the wooden barrier, I encountered Branwen in a golden gown, helping Vera cinch her violet gown. What I had not expected was Lady Drusilla.

“There you are.” Lady Drusilla scanned me. “Undress.” She approached a rack where the dresses had been placed on metal hooks. “Now, Vessel.”

I jumped at her bark.

Vera and Branwen went quiet. They looked at Lady Drusilla, then me, widening their eyes pointedly. I shrugged and collected my hair over my shoulder. Branwen came over to me and helped me unlace the back of my dress. It pooled at my feet in time for Lady Drusilla to turn back around.

She tripped over her feet and slowed a few paces from me, her gaze fastened on my breasts. Right where Cassiel bit me at the inn. Two scabbed-over puncture wounds adorned the side of the swell.

I crossed my arms, attempting to ignore Vera and Branwen’s shocked gazes. They were not the ones that had me on edge. Lady Drusilla smoothed her expression and held out my gown.

The scarlet shading left me no doubt it was meant to remind Cassiel what I was—nothing but a filthy redblood.

“Lift your arms,” Lady Drusilla ordered abruptly.