“What’s there to know? He’s a miserable drunk who happened to be born first, so his arse sits on the throne.”
Aveen trudged around a large boulder. “If you truly believed that, you wouldn’t be following him.”
I evanesced to the top, then met her on the other side with a smirk. “It’s my duty to follow him.”Just as it was my duty to make her life hell this morning.
She snorted. “I don’t believe for a second that if you thought he wasn’t what Tearmann needed, you would let him rule.”
It was adorable that she believed I had a say in the matter. “I don’t let Tadhg do anything. He is his own man.”
“You love him.”
“I tolerate him. Just as I tolerate you.”I nudged her shoulder with mine.
She nudged me back, a smile playing on her lips. “You’re not as scary as you think you are.”
“Those I’ve murdered would probably disagree.”
“Can’t fool me.”
“No?”
“Not anymore. I see through the glamours and lies to who you are deep down.”
I stopped dead. “And who is that?” I asked, trying not to let my desperation show. She considered me for a moment, her head tilting. The beads of sweat along her hairline glistened in the sunlight. I found myself holding my breath. Who did this woman think I was?
Eventually, a smile tugged at her lips, and her eyes softened. “Someone worthy of love.”
She didn’t know the things I’d done, the things I would continue to do when necessary. She couldn’t understand the depth and breadth of the hatred filling the empty cavity in my chest. Burrowing into my marrow. Tainting my soul.
I swallowed my disappointment, knowing it was only a matter of time before she realized the person she thought I was wasn’t the real me. “Less talking, more walking.”
She cursed and grumbled, but continued on, following me down the coast and through the hills.
It was one of the nicest days I’d ever had.
29
Aveen wasn’tin her garden. I’d come straight here after the trial, hoping to find my sunshine playing in the dirt. Oscar waved to me as I approached the kitchen door. For some reason, I waved back.
I found Eava in the kitchens, and Ruairi on my seat, munching on a pile of raw vegetables. He raised his head, a carrot dangling between his fingers. “What are ye doing with yer face?”
I stamped a kiss to Eava’s temple and stole a cinnamon biscuit, wondering if Aveen had put in the request. “What are you on about?”
“That thing. With yer mouth,” Ruairi said, gesturing toward me with the carrot.
“Smiling?”
“That is not a smile.”
I scowled.
“Oh, thank feck.” Ruairi clasped his heart. “I thought it would stay like that forever.”
Eava giggled from the fireplace. Not sure why. It wasn’t even that funny.
I took another biscuit. “Where is my hostage?” I asked the dog.
“Hasn’t come down yet. Not sure what she’s doing, but she left me a note asking me to meet her here.”