A Moonlit Bargain: Book 3 in the Court of Infinites Series by B.L. Talley

Author:B.L. Talley [Talley, B.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2024-06-14T00:00:00+00:00

17

Chapter 17

She was beginning to find herself. Slowly. Beautifully.

Loche feared he would not be there to see her blossom fully.

PRESENT

I was still so unused to the feel of the bed, or waking up to the smell of fresh food and warmth. Even this far north, the seasons turning into late autumn, the sun still warmed my skin.

There were many reasons I wished to stay in bed, but I knew what the end of the week would bring, who I would have to face. I only hoped Loche might accompany me to play peacekeeper.

I still struggled with the difference between what Chaos had forced on me and what was reality. I knew this was real, that Ren was good and kind, and would do nothing to harm me intentionally…But even looking at her brought forward so many of the memories Chaos had tainted that it fatigued my entire body.

Time with Loche helped, and being outside—learning to be myself all over again. I knew it was a long process, and would likely get worse before it ever got better, but it was a start.

Ren had extended an invitation for me to join her and her court in their meeting with the council, but I had not responded, and hoped it would be enough for her to take it as a rejection. I was happy to play my part in her court, but not today. Not when the thought of getting out of bed was already hard enough.

I didn’t have the heart to explain this to her, to rip away what little happiness she had found with Callax. To make her into the villain of my story when she so desperately needed to be the hero.

I told Loche of the events at Moonhaven. He seemed taken aback, but not entirely surprised, though he left the following morning with only a note saying he would likely be gone the whole week. I tried to ask what it was he did while he was away, but the tattoo did not warm against my skin when he refused to answer, so I knew it must be some manner of grave importance if he wasn’t forced to answer. I let the matter be and when he left, another blossom came into bloom on my arm.

Camilla and Lane both took it upon themselves to fill in on the days that Loche wasn’t around, bringing me my food, and making sure I left the bed for at least a few hours a day. Having both of them as a friend was something I hoped to never take for granted.

Lane sometimes took me with them when Loche was absent, using my blood to help fortify the wards around the mountain borders. They asked lots of questions, and always steered from sensitive topics, simply enjoying my company for what it was and nothing more.

When Camilla left that morning, I set out to find some small bit of entertainment, something to quiet my heart. The silence of the hills settled my restless soul, the fresh air a reprieve, and lack of other voices a blessed relief.

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