Page 230 of Tears for a Broken Sky
I straightened, meeting it with calm detachment—even as something inside me twisted. “I stayed outside. I didn’t mean to disturb anything.”
“You didn’t,” he said flatly. But his voice didn’t soften. Not yet.
Caelen cleared his throat. “The Queen wants a meeting. I figured it was best delivered to someone who isn’t currently…” he glanced toward the door, “otherwise occupied.”
Phoenix’s mouth twitched like he wanted to smile but couldn’t quite make himself. “Right. Give us ten.”
He turned to go, paused, then looked over his shoulder. “Thorne.”
“Yes?”
“Thanks… for keeping watch.” His tone was neutral. But there was something beneath it. Something not yet forgiveness—but not hatred, either.
I inclined my head. “Always.”
He shut the door again, and I returned to my post—silent, steady.
Waiting.
**
There she was. Elira.
She wore form-fitting black trousers and a soft grey tunic that brought out the silver-blue in her eyes. Her hair was still damp from the shower, curling slightly at the ends.
She saw me and smiled—warm, but tentative. “Hey.”
“Good morning.”
She stepped toward me, instinctively reaching out. I flinched. Just a fraction.
Her hand paused midair. “Sorry. Habit.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “It’s okay.”
Her gaze held mine—steady, kind, unflinching. “Is it?”
I nodded, but I wasn’t sure she believed me.
Still, she let it go. Just offered a small smile, and didn’t try to touch me again.
It hurt more than I wanted to admit.
Slade stepped out next, already dressed in dark leathers.
He moved between us without a word, shoulder checking me hard enough to make a point.
I met his eyes.
He didn’t speak.
Just glared—like I was something he hadn’t decided whether to tolerate or crush.
Downstairs, Maddie and Lacey were in the kitchen, cooking.
Lacey leaned in as she chopped fruit, her shoulder brushing Maddie’s. Maddie didn’t seem to mind—she couldn’t seem to stop touching her, in fact. They giggled over something private, a new intimacy sparking between them.
Leo caught the moment and grinned, nudging Maddie as he passed her. She just blushed and hip checked him.
