Page 126 of The Vixen

“My love,” Thorne says as he takes my arm.

I pull away without giving him a glance—and to my surprise, he lets me go.

As I approach the Keep,my head tilts at Aiden who paces the porch with wild hair pulled from his usual ponytail. He doesn’t see me as my steps slow to a crawl.

Sawyer.

“Aiden?” I call.

He whips toward me, arms as stiff as steel. As soon as he registers who’s approaching, he releases his fists. “Your Grace.”

It takes all my concentration not to trip as I climb the stairs.

Sawyer.

“They told me you were fighting tonight… I was worried.”

“Is everything all right?” I ask, my voice somehow even. “Why weren’t you at the ceremony?”

Sawyer.

He grabs at his beard like he’s catching a fly, pink lips parting. In the second it takes him to respond, my lungs clench with a breath. “I tried, but… You said you wanted me to retrieve the new initiate.”

I wait for him to say more. But he doesn’t.

My shoulders fall as I release my breath.

Thenew initiate.

“You should save your concern for more serious issues.” My voice is five degrees too cold. I rub from my elbow to my shoulder before forcing my hands to my side. “But I’m sorry I worried you… I forgot the initiate requested we move up the day.”

My gaze moves to the door. Mr. Sanchez will be waiting for me in the sitting room now. I picture him in the loveseat, his back warmed by the fire. Or in the chair Cinder prefers, feet propped on a stool. It’s a stark contrast to the welcome arranged for?—

No.

I’ve got to stop thinking about him.

Not everything must be tied to his existence.

“You should’ve asked me to fight.” Aiden lets go of his beard. “Any grievance you have is mine, Your Grace.”

“The prisoners needed time… That’s all I was doing.”

His eyes roam my battered face. The longer he looks, the more his face sinks, though it shouldn’t be too much worse from earlier. I’d refrained from wiping the blood off my chin when I went to him for help, my hand clutching my side as I let every jab of pain flicker in my expression. As if I’d need sympathy to get Aiden’s cooperation. His loyalty is matched only by Thorne.

“I wouldn’t start a fight I couldn’t win.” My feet turn toward the door. What a cowardly thing to say. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

I climb the last step but pause when Aiden calls for me.

Seconds tick while he works up the courage to say what he probably shouldn’t. I don’t rush him. The waiting initiate is the last thing I want to deal with tonight.

Finally…

“Are we doing the right thing?”

I don’t turn toward him. My tongue pushes along the bottom of my lip, tasting blood as I consider an acceptable answer.

It’s only a few seconds before I decide there is none and carry on into my home.