Page 58 of To Fight and To Fold

It had to be connected to the druids. Because if he'd gotten hurt, or—scales forbid—died on duty, she couldn't imagine a reason why they'd hide something like that.

Carissa sucked in a damp breath. "Do you know anything? From Thea? Is he… one of them? If Rolim lied to me…"

A pang went through Aaryn's chest. Suddenly, she and Carissa had something in common.

"He wouldn't, is the thing," Carissa continued, sniffling. "Right?"

Aaryn directed Carissa to the nearest chair, and the other Tethered sank down into it as if she couldn't bear the weight of uncertainty.

"He… he loves me," Carissa said, her voice small. "We're going to get married."

Aaryn knelt down and placed a hand on her knee.

"Can you… can you ask the prince?" Carissa asked. Aaryn didn't have enough time to shutter her expression, and Carissa lurched forward, grabbing her hand. "I'm sorry. It's hypocritical of me to ask, but I don't know what else to do. I wouldn't ask, except I know the two of you have grown… close."

Aaryn's cheeks flushed. "Are there rumors?"

Carissa nodded. "Just a few. Mostly between the Tethered."

Aaryn glanced away. She supposed she should be flattered that they talk of her at all. And yet that hurt still lingered.

"I assure you, there is nothing going on between the prince and me," Aaryn sighed. "What do you want me to ask him?"

"Ask him if he knows of Rolim's whereabouts. If he's on a secret missive, or something. Or if they've… taken him into custody."

"It would be improper to ask him after dinner. Could you stand to wait until the morning?"

Carissa's eyes welled up again, but she nodded. "I'll wait. I trust he is… alright." Her voice cracked, and Aaryn's heart hurt for her.

"Would you like to stay here tonight?" Aaryn offered.

Carissa shook her head. "That's sweet of you to offer, but I find comfort in my own bed. Thank you. You'll find me as soon as you talk to the prince?"

"I will, I promise," Aaryn said. "Allow Runa and I to walk you back to your rooms."

"Alright, I will accept that kindness as well," she said, and pushed to her feet. Before Aaryn could fully get her balance, Carissa launched at her and wrapped around her for a hug.

"Thank you so much, Aaryn. And for what it's worth…" she murmured, pulling away to meet her gaze. "I'm sorry for what I said in the dining hall. I was frustrated and embarrassed, and I took it out on you."

Aaryn’s lips parted, and she tilted her head to the side. Was Carissa truly apologetic for this distance between them, or was she trying to placate Aaryn so she would follow through with asking the prince about Rolim? Aaryn had already vowed to do so, and a Tethered was not one to break a vow.

Aaryn's cheeks flared in indignation. "It's been a stressful time for everyone. Thank you for your apology."

"I notice you don't accept it," Carissa said. "But I'll do my best to prove that I mean it."

She pulled Aaryn into another hug. “The Tethered are a community, and we're here to support one another. I should have offered you support like you're offering now. My outburst at the table probably pushed you further away. I'm sorry, again. I wish I could go back and change it."

Her words struck Aaryn. It felt sincere, and something in her warmed. “I—thank you, for apologizing. We can't change the past, only the future."

Carissa nodded. "And I will support you in the future. Would you like to join us the next time we gorge ourselves on pastries?" Her smile was still teary, and Aaryn wondered if she was trying to convince herself everything would be normal in the near future.

Aaryn didn't know how to tell her that if Rolim was a druid… it wouldn't be.

They trailed through the hallways together, Runa at their backs.

Had Rolim betrayed Carissa? Was she to suffer the same fate Aaryn had?

Although, Thea had never made such promises of love and marriage to her. If Rolim truly cared for Carissa, then why would he leave?