Page 100 of A Sweet Destruction

Everything just felt so natural, this morning passing in a lazy haze of comfort.

Soren had sent off a note to Caspian late the night before, requesting a tour of a temple and a meeting with a priest. A reply was back in seconds, instructing us to Salona’s main temple in the afternoon.

With that, everyone snatched up that little window of time, feeling a bit like we were on vacation.

Freya had gone off on another long ride, even though Starlight had been less restless than usual.

Ford and I had come downstairs for an extended breakfast just the two of us that felt a little too much like a date. That was after I spent several minutes poking fun at him because we’d woken up with the pillow that had rested between our heads gripped in his hands and nearly torn in half.

I told you, the Bond is a fan of pillow massacres, I’d said.

Wipe that smile of your face or I’ll give you something to smile about, Ford shot back, making me blush so furiously I had to wash my face with ice cold water until I couldn’t feel my fingers anymore.

Our breakfast had fallen into a pleasant silence, both of us reading, until Bellamy and Soren had come downstairs looking a little cozier than normal and several hours late.

Ford had made no less than five underhanded comments until I had to step in from genuine fear that Soren was going to punch him.

The rest had done a number on everyone’s good moods, enough that the anxiety that had plagued everyone yesterday had eased. My mind felt sharper, which was good seeing as some of the most cunning, silver-tongued people in the world were religious leaders.

I’m sure the priest Caspian hand-picked to introduce us to was no exception.

The walk to the temple was quick, and even in a few short days, the town was starting to become familiar to me. I’d never say it out loud, but I loved Muli. I hadn’t seen the best parts of Vir—had never been allowed to—but there was much on Muli I didn’t want to give up. The mere thought of leaving Sky made me feel like I was going to throw up.

I’d been the one to propose the smuggling operation, years ago, in a not-so-subtle attempt at tying myself to Muli in the long run. Or really, it had been kind of a joint effort between me and Ford. We’d been chatting one day, one of those rare moments where we’d actually been talking to each other, when the idea struck.

I really, really wanted these negotiations to work. I was a little suspicious of hope, especially knowing how painful the fall to disappointment could be, but I couldn’t help it. This could work. The planets could have a good relationship.

And maybe, there would be a way for me to stay on Muli, or travel back and forth at the very least.

Ford seemed to sense that I was thinking about something because he was hovering close to me as we approached the temple.

No, he just likes to be close to you. Don’t be annoying, the Bond snapped.

Well, alright. I felt like a child that had just been put in time out.

“Ah, my friends!” Caspian’s entrance shocked me into focus, looking up to see him sauntering down the temple’s steps. Elijah followed close behind, arms crossed and looking over us with hard, observing eyes. “How are you this morning?”

“Good, thank you,” Bellamy said.

Caspian turned his megawatt, princely smile to her. “Oh, that’s good to hear. However, I was speaking to my dear serpenia. I have not seen you since our last conversation. I do hope that did not uncover some painful memories.”

He was very lucky everyone already knew, and doubly lucky that I was well-trained enough to temper any reaction. “Thank you for asking, your grace,” I said, smiling brightly at Caspian. “As you know, that was not a particularly fun series of events. Speaking of them will always cause some pain.” I stepped closer to Ford, and his hand reached up under the fall of my hair to rest on the base of my neck. “But my paranima is safe now. That’s all that matters.”

Thank you, the Bond said, drawn out and full of sarcasm.

It was right, though. I needed to forgive myself. Not forget the harm I’d caused, but to ease up on the shame.

“Well, isn’t that sweet,” Caspian said, showing a hint of venom behind the smile. He was still young, that much was clear. It was very much the demeanor of a youngest child. Fully capable of intelligence, having learned from their older siblings early, but choosing to needle and press on sore spots simply for the love of the game.

Caspian clapped his hands together, practically bouncing on his heels. “Anyhow! Follow me. I’m very excited to introduce you to Brother Stevenson.” We followed Caspian up the small set of stairs leading into the temple, a soft pink-ish marble cut through with streaks of white.

The Prince chattered on, telling us about how he had exciting things in store and how Brother Stevenson was sure to talk our ears off but not to mind him, he’s just a curious fellow. In all honesty, I was only half-listening. Caspian could go on and on at times, not at all respecting that he was one of the highest ranking members in Muli society and when he spoke, people felt that they needed to afford him the respect of their full attention.

It would have been a smart thing to weaponize as a distraction. Actually, I wasn’t sure that wasn’t exactly what he was doing, pulling our attention to his prattling so that we wouldn’t see what was around us.

All the more reason why I should be looking at my surroundings. Someone would fill me in later if Caspian said something of note.

I kept my expression open, as if I was taking everything in with mindless wonder rather than deep observation. Important, seeing as the second I let my eyes stray from Caspian, they connected with Elijah’s leering gaze.