Page 51 of Embers of Ruin

“I have other duties.”

“Oh, are other people on your agenda to harass today? I know you enjoy it, don’t try to convince me otherwise.”

She grins, turning to leave before she shoots me a glance. “Among other things.”

I grin despite myself, pressing my lips in to hide it. Her expression remains flat, but I swear I see the faintest glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes before she turns toward the door.

“Mazelle,” I say before she leaves.

She pauses.

“Why is he allowed to take me out? Onyx, I mean?”

For a moment, she says nothing, just looks at me. The silence stretches long enough that I wonder if she’ll refuse to answer like she did before.

“The king trusts him.” The answer is simple, and she strides out effectively ending the conversation.

I don’t call after her; I have nothing else to say. Despite what happened with Onyx and I, and my shouting match with Thorin, he is letting Onyx take me out of the palace today. I don’t want to read too much into it, because I don’t like the direction my thoughts are going. Instead, I walk toward the clothes, preparing to dress.

* * *

By the time Briar escorts me to the eastern gate, I have replayed those words at least a dozen times, and they make less sense each time. The king trusts Onyx.

His voice had sounded… wounded a few days ago. I felt the cold fury sweeping off of him when he accused me of fucking the Captain of his Shadow Guard. I didn’t misinterpret that. He sounded hurt. And now he’s perfectly alright with me leaving the palace, despite telling me that he keeps me here for my protection? None of this makes sense.

Then I remember Onyx challenging him before Thorin ordered him out of my chambers. The words he spoke just before.

She's not one of your experiments. Remember that.

Thorin hadn’t acknowledged his statement then, or the fact that Onyx was challenging him. He simply ordered him out. Why would someone living in a kingdom that fears its ruler not be afraid to say something like that? Maybe their bond runs deeper than I thought, and Onyx’s true loyalty lies with the king. There’s no other way to interpret Thorin allowing Onyx to speak to him that way.

There is a story there. History. And I don’t know it, because they don’t tell me anything. Of course there is. Everyone in this palace is made of secrets.

Onyx waits beneath the archway leading out of the palace, dressed in dark leather and armor that looks lighter than what he wore on the road. His black cloak falls over one shoulder, and twin swords rest behind his back. He’s speaking quietly with Riven, the broad guard from the gardens, but stops the moment he sees me.

His gaze moves over me slowly, taking in my appearance. He doesn’t nod the way he usually does to show his approval. In fact, he doesn’t say anything. But I feel his assessment like a hand against my skin.

Absolutely not. Not today.

I refuse to be affected by both dangerous men in this palace. One is unfortunate. Two is careless, and could end up blowing up in my face the way it did a few days ago. I walk to him silently, smiling pleasantly as I always do when I see him. My smile is missing its usual excitement, though; I’m sure he notices that.

“Captain,” I say, lifting my chin.

His mouth curves faintly. We’re never this formal with each other, and I want to laugh and cry about it at the same time.

“Lady Tarethyn.”

I make a face. “Please, don’t call me that. You never call me that.”

“I thought you were starting to like your new title?”

“I enjoy making fun of it. That is different. I don’t truly enjoy it when people call me ‘Lady’. I’m a lowborn nobody from Elvora. I don’t deserve that title.”

“You deserve everything, Lyra. Now come, let’s get a bit of fresh air for the day. Try not to annoy me much, it has been a very long morning.”

Riven looks between us, clearly attempting not to smile at our exchange. Does he pick up on the tension filling the air? Is it noticeable? I sure hope not. I feel warmth creeping up my cheeks and look away, trying to hide my embarrassment.

Onyx must have noticed Riven’s smile and gives him a look that would probably have sent a lesser man into immediate apology. Riven merely straightens.