Violet
The shock faded slowly, and for so odd reason, I broke down completely from the hug.
Even as my tears soaked her nightgown, she never let go.
I didn’t know how long we stayed like that, but eventually, my sobs quieted.
I was left feeling hollow and wrung out, my body heavy with exhaustion.
I pulled back awkwardly, suddenly aware of how strange and inappropriate this was.
I shifted and imdiately scrambled to my feet, wiping at my face with clumsy hands.
"I’m so sorry," I stamred. "I didn’t an to—I—"
A hand settled on top of my head.
I went still.
She patted my hair gently, the gesture so tender it made my throat tighten all over again.
"Sit down," she said quietly.
Her voice was calm and clear.
My legs gave out beneath , and I sank back onto the edge of the bed without aning to.
I looked up at her.
Her eyes were clear unlike the night I first saw her and she was looking right at . "Everything will be alright," she said softly.
The words were simple. But the way she said them, with such quiet certainty, made my chest lighter.
She reached out and wiped the tears from my cheeks with her thumbs.
I sat there, silent, and not knowing what to do or say.
Was this what it felt like? To have a mother who loved you?
Her hand moved to my forehead, pressing lightly against my skin. A small frown creased her features.
"You are running a fever," she murmured. "You should lie down."
"I don’t think I—" I started to protest, but she was already guiding backward, her hands gentle but insistent.
"Lie down," she repeated.
I found myself complying without aning to. My back t the bed, and she pulled the covers up over , tucking them around my shoulders with a care that confused .
This felt a bit absurd.
Why was tucking into bed like I was a child?
She sat on the edge of the bed, her hand finding the side of my head. Her fingers stroked through my hair slowly.
I wanted to stay awake but my eyes grew heavy.
The last thing I felt was her hand in my hair and the perplexing warmth of being cared for.
[ - ]
When I woke the following morning, she was gone. I felt bad I still didn’t know her na. I had remained in bed long after waking, trying to piece together whether last night had been actually real... even though I knew it was.
I had gone to visit the others, but ca to find out that Bei was the only one around.
I sat on one of the cushioned chairs while Bei lounged on the edge of the bed, a closed book beside her.
"Ana and Corin?" I quietly asked. "They usually aren’t around lately."
It was true. Whenever I ca nowadays, I mostly always t Bei.
Bei’s lips spread with a knowing smile. "Out. Again."
"Again?"
Bei chuckled.
"There’s sothing going on between those two." Her eyes glinted with amusent. "I’m not certain what exactly, but they’ve been finding excuses to wander off together for the past week or two."
I blinked, surprised.
"I hadn’t noticed," I admitted.
Bei just shrugged, still smiling. "You’ve had other things on your mind. And you’ve been occupied. I understand."
I looked down at my hands, folded in my lap.
"I’m sorry," I said quietly. "For keeping you all waiting here for so long. This was supposed to be a brief stop, and now..."
"Violet." Bei’s voice was firm but kind. "I understand. It is fine."
I looked up to find her watching .
"We’re fine," she continued. "Truly. The capital is fascinating, and we’ve been well taken care of. If anything, I think Ana and Corin are enjoying themselves far more than they expected to."
A small breath of relief escaped .
Bei tilted her head, her gaze sharpening slightly.
"Though I will say." She looked thoughtful as she glanced at the door. "There’s sothing... different about the wolves here."
I watched her. "What do you an?"
"I’m not sure how to explain it." Bei frowned, searching for the right words. "They’re not as strict as the wolves in Fresna. More relaxed on the surface. But underneath..." She paused. "There’s a sharp attentive edge to them underneath all that politeness."
I nodded slowly. I had noticed it too. The servants who smiled warmly but watched everything with keen eyes. The other wolves, and especially Nessa... Their cheerfulness did well to conceal how attentive they actually were.
But at least they were more carefree, and in a way, it helped relax more.
"I’ve felt the sa," I admitted.
Bei humd in acknowledgnt.
"Bei," I started, my voice smaller than I intended. "Have you... heard anything from Kael?"
Bei leaned forward to lie on her stomach.
"Not directly," she confessed. "We’ve been coordinating with so of the council mbers here. A ssage was sent to Fresna shortly after we arrived, but I’m sure it should just now be getting there." She paused. "We’re planning to send a second one. Ana and Corin have discussed having one of them accompany it personally, but..." She trailed off, her brow furrowing.
"You don’t want to leave ," I finished quietly.
Bei nodded.
"One of them could go, at least with Rowan’s wolves."
Bei stared at for a brief mont before nodding again, her chin resting on the back of her hands.
"I’ll speak with them about it." She paused, sothing shifting in her expression. "And since we’re staying here for a while... it’s possible they could return with Lord Kael himself."
My heart lurched.
I opened my mouth, then closed it again. My hands twisted together in my lap.
"Bei," I said, and my voice ca out thin. "I have a request to make."
Bei paused.
"I might be in trouble, and I can’t help the feeling that you might hate for this."
Bei went still, then slowly sat up. She looked surprised and concerned at the sa ti.
I was surprised by how surprised she looked.
"Is—is sothing wrong?" I asked.
"No. No!" She quickly shook her head, waving her hand. "I was just caught off guard—please, don’t mind . Tell . Whatever it is, I promise I won’t hate you for it."
"You don’t know that," I whispered, my heart pounding.
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