Page 65 of City of Snakes
“Get away from us,” I snarled.
The next time Sybilla’s lids snapped open, I was greeted with emerald and a cold relief washed down my spine. She flung herself back against the sofa’s armrest.
“It’s okay. You’re okay,” I breathed out.
“Asterie?” She searched for the enchantress.
“I’m here, I’m here.” Asterie approached, despite my threatening Shadows snapping around her ankles. “Where did you go? You slipped away so quickly.”
“He took me. The Death Origin, Caym. He...” Sybilla’s breath quickened as she trailed off, and Elsedora pulled me back by the shoulders. Sybilla looked like an animal trapped in a corner, disheveled and frantic.
El said, “Give herspace, Krait.”
Asterie crouched beside Sybilla. “You’re with us. Breathe, my Queen. Breathe. Count with me,” she soothed but didn’t attempt to touch her.
Sybilla mouthed the numbers along with Asterie. “Ten…nine…eight…seven...”
“I hate to ask you this. But while the memory is fresh, tell me, what did he look like?” Asterie asked.
Sybilla answered, “He...he was veiled in gray, but his eyes...they were the worst shade of green—with flecks of amber. He feltwrongto his core. It is hard to explain.”
Asterie turned to Fen. “I’ve seen him once too. In the orchard, when I had the vision of what happened to my mother—Firose’s face contorted into his. Fen, I know you don’t believe us, but—”
“I do,” Fen cut in. “I believe you, my beauty. I’m sorry I ever doubted you.” He moved to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders as she rose.
Sybilla stared at them with tear-soaked cheeks. Every impulse in me itched to comfort her. It had been a long time since I’d soothed anyone, and my boots froze to the floor.
“I need to be alone. Please, everyone, go.” Sybilla pushed up off the sofa. She circled behind it to put distance between herself and the rest of us.
“No,” I answered more gruffly than intended. Despite whatever fire she wanted to throw at me verbally, there was no way I would leave her alone, especially when she looked that fucking terrified. “Elsedora, take our guests to their quarters. Ryn, go make sure the house has a full staff of guards around the perimeter and dismiss all of the maids. I don’t want a soul in this house other than those in this room.”
“What will swords and shields accomplish?” Sybilla snapped. Her whole body shook as she steadied herself, white knuckles on the wooden frame of the sofa. She glanced at Elsedora and said, “Bring me the dagger that the men in the dungeon used to attack me.”
Elsedora nodded and jogged out of the room without question.
“We’ll be just down the hall,” Asterie assured Sybilla. The enchantress’ hands shook, too, and the expression of remorse written on her face gave me some confidence that she had not done this intentionally.
They all exited the room, leaving me and Sybilla alone. The click of the door cut through the silence.
“We should stop meeting like this,” Sybilla said, but I was not amused by the situation. This was the second time she’d been attacked while under my roof.
“Agreed,” I snapped back, immediately hating my tone.
“I’m going to need you to be nicer or leave me the fuck alone.”
“Charming,” I gritted through my teeth. My posture relaxed only slightly. Our gazes met over the couch—I couldn’t think of a nice thing to say or do. How pathetic was that? El had been right. I definitely owed this woman more than flowers.
Adrenaline ran hot in my veins. Slowly, I stepped around the couch to stand next to her. Breath ragged, she watched me approach.
I flinched as she flung her arms around my middle and squeezed. She whispered, “Don’t say anything. Please.”
Wrapping my arms around her shoulders, I ignored the tickle of her curls against my nose and felt her relax into me. The warm condensation of her breath wet my tunic, and the rise and fall of her chest slowed. The scent of lilac, tea leaves and fresh linen enveloped me—so distinctly her.
“Am I allowed to say anything yet?” I asked.
“No.”
She clung to me for a few more minutes before she straightened and released her grip. Unraveling my arms, I plucked a stray curl that had gotten stuck in my tunic button so it wouldn’t snag. She still looked so damned shaken. I wanted to wrap my arms around her again.
