Page 149 of Winds of Ruin
She laughed. “You’re in love, Elsedora. Parts of that can be horseshit. But they don’t have to be. Whatever you’re seeking tonight may be fun for the moment, but won’t make you feel any better tomorrow, my friend.”
Noooo.She always had to be right.
“Get some sleep, love. If you still feel up to this in the morning, then we can talk.”
I wouldn’t feel up to it—the wind in my sails begged me to go home. Not to Lamoreaux. To him.
In this state, no good would come of speaking to Emmerick tonight and guilt tugged at my chest that I’d avoided the discussion we were supposed to be having.
I shook my head and sighed. “I should go. There’s someone who will know what I should do.”
The chill of the Helos air sobered me some as we approached the Egress. I hadn’t remembered my clutch, or to wear a jacket. The cold wouldn’t kill me, but it bit through the sheer sleeves of my dress, causing me to shiver.
Leonna walked with me, looking skeptical of sending me on my way alone, but I’d insisted.
I traveled to the boathouse at Luz Palace.
Lark thought she’d been covert enough to hide the entry there. I’d added additional wards to it when I’d found it years ago.
I suspected that’s how she and the boy had snuck around and remained friends.Slippery little fox—it made me a tad proud.
Crossing my arms, I approached the Faulkers’ cottage. Surprisingly, even at this hour, the windows were lit. The air wasn’t as chilly as in the North Corridor, yet I trembled.
Before thinking better of interrupting Angeline and Leo’s peaceful night, I rapped twice on the wood door.
Leo opened it moments later. “Elsedora,” he said with raised brows. “Is everything alright? Is it my boy?”
I pulled my shoulders straight.
Act.
Sober.
“No, no, all is well. We missed you at the celebrations tonight.”
I had missed them.
I’m sure Emmerick had too—but Wyeth had ordered Angeline to stay in bed and Leo refused to leave her side. Coveted by many and achieved by few, his loving devotion made my heart swell.
I could have that.
“Is Angeline awake? I came by to check in and have a word with her,” I said. Trying my hardest not to sway or reveal my level of intoxication, I rested a hand on the doorframe.
He could likely smell the wine on me from across the threshold. “She’s awake—painting, actually. Come on in. It’s cold out there. I’ll boil some water for tea.”
He stepped inside and grabbed a throw blanket before gently draping it over my shoulders. As I hugged the warm quilt to me, it suddenly became clear where Emmerick’s instincts to care for me had come from. I hadn’t realized I’d been trembling until the wool engulfed me.
“Love, Elsedora is here.” His deep voice boomed from where he’d already busied himself at the hearth to make me tea.
“About time,” Angeline shouted from the next room. I smirked at her faux ire.
Leo nodded toward their bedchamber, inviting me to go in.
Multiple lanterns lit the room, helping Angeline see her work. An easel rested on her lap, and she was adding finishing strokes to the pink blooms on some trees.
My trees.
The orchard at Lamoreux sprawled across the linen, in silver snow and green leaves—each plum blossom intricately placed. The hills rolled in the distance.
