Page 96 of The Vixen

She nods, her eyes widening. “Yes. I?—”

“Don’t.” My tone is so sharp, Persephone flinches. “You don’t ever tell him he’s wrong. You drop to your knees and beg for forgiveness… Nothing endangers the male ego more than truth.”

Another tear slips from her eye as she lowers the ice pack to the table. She trembles like her quiet cries are about to turn to sobs.

I frown. My hand reaches halfway toward her before pausing. A thought crosses my mind that pulls a deep sadness from within.

I wish Zephyr were here.

She was the comforting type. Sweet. Kind. Useless.

Sometimes, I wish I was more like her.

Taking a deep breath, I reach the rest of the way to lightly lay my hand over hers.

“One day, you will be very good at telling lies… Consider today a training session. There’s no shame in training.”

Her head lifts as she peers up at me, the sadness displayed penetrating me so deep, it’s as if I’m looking at a reflection. I try to look away. But fail.

“I don’t want to lie,” she whispers, her bottom lip quivering.

We stare at each other for several moments—her looking for reassurance, me struck with what I think might be grief. With what I’mafraidis grief.

I tell myself it’s disgust instead.

My throat seems to close, trapping air in my lungs until I can swallow the emotion down. I pull my hand away and stand, my eyes diverting from hers. “Then do what you feel is right… In the meantime, go home. Chief Elder won’t be calling for you tonight.”

“I can’t,” she whines. “Mother Mary will be angry when she learns of my disobedience…Please, Your Grace. I’ll be silent.”

“No.” I shake my head. My chest opens as I inhale a breath to banish my father’s companion from my home. It’s what I want. If I had it my way, she would leave and never come back, if only so the churning of my gut could finally calm.

But the heartbreak on her face eats away at my words in three sharp bites.

I let my breath out, slow and calm through my nostrils. “You’ll beinvisible… In the library… If you’re going to stay, be wise with your time. Practice your reading.”

“Yes, Head Keeper.” Her head bobs an unnecessary number of times as she stands. In typical Persephone fashion, she leaves the ice pack lying on the table and hurries from the room, off to stow herself away in the library.

I sigh and put the ice pack away before going to my room and am relieved to see Cinder has chosen to sleep with me tonight.

I remove my clothes and crawl beneath the covers, pulling her close as I shut my eyes and pretend I’m going to be able to sleep.

CHAPTER 25

SAWYER

The Nurturer’s compound has even more guards than the Keep.

Two stand outside every entrance. Spotlights shine into the courtyard. The setup is thorough and organized, a stark contrast to the Keep’s randomness. I’m now ninety percent sure Luna has been fucking with my head.

Hands tucked snugly inside my pockets, I backpedal into the woods before going around so I can take the concrete path to the compound’s front door. The Keeper’s standing watch narrow their eyes as I stroll toward them.

I give a little wave before tossing my hood off my head so I’m more recognizable. “Good evening, gentlemen.”

“What are you doing here?” A goateed douche asks, his eyes flicking over my shoulder. “Where’s your accompanying Keeper?”

“I was hoping to check on my friend… Head Keeper gave me the okay.”

Goatee exchanges a look with what appears to be a child. Nineteen at most with baby fat still puffing his cheeks.