Page 46 of A Lie so Pretty and Poisonous

“Rory. And I think I handled myself pretty alright today.” I didn’t know why I said that with such confidence when I was running on adrenaline and fear the whole time.

He let out a frustrated sigh that bordered on a growl. “Why do you want to go so badly?”

I swallowed. “Because these are my people. This impacts Cora and me. What if you find this supposed shipment, and it happens to be humans? Do you think they would trust you? If I am with you, then they would be more willing to trust a human than a seraph. I promise I will stay out of the way and let you take the lead on everything.”

“Like you promised not to leave the horses?” He tilted his head.

I deadpanned, causing him to give a little smirk at my annoyance.

“Fine,” he relented. “But it may be a boring or uneventful trip.”

“I am alright with that! Today was plenty eventful for me anyway. Plus, I’ll have a whole day to recover before we go again. I promise, no leaving the castle tomorrow. I just want to be a part of what is going on and to be kept in the loop. If humans are being trafficked into Tironaill, this is bigger and more important than me finding a way home.”

“I understand. You have a loyalty to your people, and you must honor that.”

The way he said that made my heart clench. To understand having a community but never being a part of one must be hard to reconcile.

“What did you tell Lieutenant Osman?”

“That we ran into trouble, but we were both safe and wouldn’t make it back to the castle until the morning. To tell anyone who asks that I was checking out a potential militia threat, and you were ill and tired, staying in your rooms.”

Panic rose. “That isn’t going to stop Cora from being completely upset at my absence and causing a scene.”

Darragh raised his hands in supplication. “Ah, yes. Well, the lieutenant and Anya happen to have a well-guarded secret relationship going on, so I told him to tell her to stay with Cora tonight and keep her calm and reassured that you were well. Anya won’t say anything.” He picked up a long stick but paused and glanced up at me. “Best not to mention their connection. They could both be sent for atonement if others found out.” The fire rustled and glowed brighter as he stoked it.

“Atonement for having a relationship?”

He kept his voice impassive. “Angheal and daemonite.”

“Such a vile way of thinking,” I said to myself and shook my head.

Darragh didn’t respond as he finished the cheese and stood. “You should get some rest. I will watch through the night.”

“The Divine blessed seraphs with no need to sleep now?”

He let out a soft huff. “That would be helpful, but no. I am conditioned for little sleep. You go ahead. Looks like your horse has decided to lie down for the evening, too.”

Celeste leaned against one of the rocks and bedded down while Astorath remained standing and stoic, just like his rider. I nuzzled up to Celeste’s body, seating my back and head against her torso. Her body was warm and gave me enough comfort and relaxation to not fight the heaviness of my eyelids.

The forest slowly lightened, making the trees more than just darkened outlines. Celeste’s deep, vibrating huff awoke me to the aches and pains that developed as I fitfully slept. Or maybe it was from the immense running and being dragged all over the forest the day before. Either way, I didn’t feel my best.

A large, warm cloak covered my front half and fell to the ground as I stood, exposing me to the cold of the early morning air. I picked it up and looked to where Darragh stood at the opening of the rock formation, watching the still, silent forest that was now covered in fog.

I silently, for a human, walked to his side and handed him his cloak. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, my lady.” He spoke softly.

“Rory,” I quietly corrected.

“There is enough light for the horses to navigate the terrain. If we leave now, we can make it back to the castle by mid-morning.”

“Then let's head back,” I said as I tipped my head side to side, stretching my neck and wincing.

“Are you hurt?” He looked me up and down.

“No, I am just achy. Sleeping on the ground, cuddled up to a horse, isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world. My body is rebelling.”

He opened his mouth to say something but closed it just as quickly.