Page 187 of Vasmora

At my hands.

Tucking the necklace into my pocket, I swept my gaze over my surroundings in search of the book that I was certain I’d left in the room. Quick steps took me to the bed, and I threw the covers back, finding nothing more than perfectly tucked sheets beneath. Dropping to my knees, I hunted for it beneath the bed. The nightstand. The armoire. Even the adjacent washroom. There was no sign of the book anywhere.

Where could I have left it?

Tapping my chin, I surveyed the room for any spot I may have missed.

“Oh! My apologies!”

At the soft, feminine voice, I swung around, startled to find Princess Calisza in the doorway.

Heart pounding like a herd of rhinos had been set loose inside my ribs, I exhaled a shaky breath.

“Is this your room?” She stepped inside, glancing toward the corridor, and pointed over her shoulder. “I’d been sleeping in another, but with all the new guests, Rykaia assigned me this one. However, it seemed someone was sleeping here, so I inquired … If you long to sleep here, I can find another.”

“No, no. I was just looking for something.”

“I left everything as it was. I didn’t know to whom it belonged.”

Tucking the discarded dress beneath my arm, I straightened the bedding. “My apologies for the mess. I left in somewhat of a hurry.” I inspected the room once again. “Did you happen to come across a book? A strange book with a bone spine?”

“A bone spine?” Brows raised, she shook her head. “I don’t recall that, but I am certain I would, if I’d seen it.”

I stood thoughtful for a moment, desperate to remember the last time I’d seen it. Could’ve sworn that it had been in that very room. “I must’ve left it somewhere else, then. Perhaps in the library.” Clearing my throat, I lowered my head and carried the dress toward the door, but paused alongside her. “Oh, um …” I gave a small curtsy. “Your Majesty.”

“Oh, that’s unnecessary.” She smiled, offering a dismissive wave of her hand. “We’re in the thick of a plague. Formalities are hardly the priority. Soon, we’ll all be standing side by side. Fighting for our lives.” Hands fidgeting, she stepped past me further into the room. “Titles and status won’t matter, will they? I suspect few things will matter, at all.”

The smile on my face faded as I imagined only a handful of us. While the battle at the healer’s cottage had proven victorious, I couldn’t help but wonder how we’d have fared against thousands.

“Rykaia tells me you wield a bone whip, made of spines.” She stared at my hand, undoubtedly noticing the ugly, scaled glove there. “Does it hurt?”

I held out my hand, flexing my fingers, and shook my head. “A nuisance, mostly.”

“It’s frighteningly beautiful.”

“Thank you, Princess.”

It was her smile that faded that time. “My father became one of those monsters.” Sadness claimed her expression as she lowered her head. “Every trace of the man I knew was gone.” She blinked her eyes as though desperate to hold back tears.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Do you imagine Death is kind?”

I pondered her question for a moment. “I think she can be merciful when she longs to be, yes.”

Lips pressed together, she nodded. “I hope so. If she comes to claim me, I hope she is kinder than suffering.”

Recalling the last conversation I’d had with Morsana, I told her, “I do, too.”

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

ZEVANDER

“Iknow you must be exhausted from your travels, so I’ll keep this brief.” Dolion sat across from Zevander in his office, where the mage had requested they meet, and tipped back a swill of the drink he’d insisted Zevander pour for him. “The amulet is in the hands of Cadavros.”

Zevander eased back in his chair and dragged a hand down his face. “Fuck.”

“Precisely my thoughts.” Another long guzzle, and Dolion poured himself a second glass. “Gods knows where he disappeared to. I suspect he’ll go into hiding. Quietly building his army. He may come after you, as well, seeing as you’re his greatest threat at the moment.”