Mask of Poison (Fall of Under Book 1) by Kathryn Kingsley (great novels to read txt) 📕

to her. Something flickered in his gaze—that strange mix of grief and rage again. But when he looked at her, it softened. He bowed his head. “You are welcome. Sleep well, Ember.”

Lyon led her through the cathedral. She still didn’t know what to make of the candles that seemed to ignite and extinguish with their presence. But all things considered, they were one of the least ridiculous things she had seen so far.

Her thoughts kept returning to the man in gray. “Is Maverick…” She didn’t even know what she was asking. “It isn’t my business. Sorry.”

“Is he all right? No.” He paused. “I don’t believe he is. But the trouble stems not from today’s upheaval, but instead one that occurred four hundred years ago. This is not the first ‘apocalypse’ our world has weathered, I’m afraid. It is…” He paused to count. “The third? Perhaps the fourth, depending upon who you ask.”

“Oh.” What am I supposed to say to that? “I’m sorry.” She kicked herself. That was the best she could come up with? She was supposed to be a priestess of the old gods—she was supposed to help soothe people’s worries. And the best she could summon was that. “I guess…this is my second? Although, technically, the first one started before I was born.”

Lyon smiled, but it faded a moment later. “Four hundred years ago, the Ancients rose from their prison due to the actions of a wayward king, my predecessor Rxa. It was his power that kept the Ancients chained at the bottom of the Pool of the Ancients. He attacked the new Queen of Dreams, thinking her an abomination. The King of Shadows, her lover, did not take kindly to it, and killed Rxa in his rage. What ensued cost us…many beloved lives. Including that of Maverick’s wife. He has not quite recovered. He blames the Ancients for her loss.”

Ember frowned. “I blamed the Dread God for all my troubles for a long time. I hated it for what it had done to my world. For all the death and destruction it brought to innocent souls who didn’t deserve it. But I’ve learned that hating the gods for what they do is useless. They’re like the weather. You can hate the rain, but it won’t stop being wet.”

“Wise words.” They fell into silence for a long moment. “I have tried to help Maverick all I can. But besides playing the sympathetic ear and being his companion when he is in need of one, there is not much to be done about grief such as that. His journey is his own to walk.”

“It’s still sad. I still feel for him. I know what it’s like to lose someone very important.”

“Indeed. As do we all, I’m afraid…such is the way of life.” He stopped at a door and, turning the knob, pushed it open. “Here we are.”

Stepping in, she quickly took stock of her surroundings. One wall was accented by two thin windows, letting the moonlight stream in. They arched to a point at the top, and the stone jambs revealed that the walls were several feet thick. Despite the gray stone walls, the room was warm. The fireplace was lit, and it sent cozy amber light flickering across the carpeted floor.

A large poster bed by the wall was calling her name. It was covered in blankets, and one looked as though it was made of soft white fur. She wanted to burrow in and fall asleep. Bathe first. Don’t dirty the room so quickly. A door by one wall was open, revealing a bathroom inside. A real, working bathroom!

A tray on a bench at the foot of the bed held a plate of food and a bottle of wine with a single glass. A small pile of what must be clothing was folded up at the foot of the bed.

“Our accommodations here are more austere than those of my brethren. Hm. Save perhaps Dtu, the King of Moons. He lives in the woods, after all.” He chuckled. “I apologize if you find my home lacking any luxuries you might expect.”

She laughed, turning to smile at him. “I would be more accustomed to sleeping in the woods. I don’t know as I’ve slept in a bed since I was a child. This is—this is too much. Thank you.”

Lyon bowed. “It is nothing. You are not my prisoner, Miss Ember. You are my guest. Please remember that. If you need anything, my rooms are the ones at the end of the hall. Simply knock. If you become restless, you are welcome to wander the cathedral. There is a small library four doors down with books you are welcome to peruse. But I ask, for your safety, that you not leave the building.”

She nodded. That seemed more than fair. “Deal.”

“Goodnight, Ember.”

“Goodnight, Lyon.”

He shut the door behind him, leaving her alone with the room, the warm fire, and her thoughts.

The room was cozy. All the furniture looked hand carved, depicting creatures and vines, or just decorative symbols. It was all stained a dark, warm tone. Each one looked like a work of art.

It felt…safe. Comfortable. Like she could relax for the first time since she had left the citadel after her training.

But she kept her hand resting on the handle of her long knife. Anything and everything could be a trap. But it’s a trap I’m already in. The jaws have snapped shut. I suppose if I’m already done for, I might as well eat the cheese they used to lure me in.

Speaking of cheese.

She stopped to stare at a plate of food that was laid out on a short table. Every kind of food she could imagine was on display. Bread, cheese, fruit, meats…her mouth watered.

And wine. Well, she hoped it was wine. No way to know in a world that wasn’t hers.

It had been so long since she’d had any.

A large mirror by the wall caught her attention, and she glanced at herself. Embarrassment struck her for the first time