The God & The Shadow

Chapter 30

VERONICA

The Grandfather clock beside the hearth struck twelve when Wendy, the innkeeper, finally stood and wished me a good night before retreating to her room in the basement.

We spent hours talking about the realm and the war, alongside her own personal life. She told me about the two sons that were lieutenants in the army of Verila, and her youngest daughter that was betrothed to a baron.

She and her husband used to run and maintain the inn together, but he died two years ago due to what she assumed was cardiac arrest.

Wendy provided me a throw pillow and quilted blanket earlier after I had told her I had no plans going back in the bedroom, let alone sleep in the same bed as Lore.

Now, here I am. A cup of warm milk she had given me earlier in one hand, and a book about fae in the other.

The other side of the hearth was another shelf filled with books, and I decided to begin some research of my own on whatever creature attacked us deep in the forest.

So far, nothing. Just a bunch of boring and lengthy texts about previous wars, rulers, and myths.

One book told a story about a mortal queen reigning over the faerie realm, while the other was the myth of the seven high courts that used to rule a forgotten land.

I unwrapped myself from the blanket around me and stood to put back the useless book back to the shelf. I had gone through the entire first shelf earlier and I was now at the third.

I picked up an untitled book that was covered by the other thick books and sat down once again on the couch. I was about to open it when heavy footsteps descended the stairs, revealing a tired and disheveled angel.

Nixon was slightly taken aback at the sight of me that he shook his head to clear his vision. He had bandages all over his arms and neck with spots of blood seeping through.

He moved and sat down beside me, watching me closely. I raised my eyebrows at him. "Yes?"

"What are you doing?" He asked, looking at the book and the beverage I held.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" I countered.

He sighed and crossed his arms as he sunk into the cushions of the chair. I placed my cup and book on the coffee table and turned to him.

"You should be resting." I whispered.

He closed his eyes. "I've had enough rest."

"Bullshit. You slept for a whole day once and you were still drowsy the following day."

He smiled at the memory. I called him all day four years and I assumed him dead. Not that it caused me to freak out back then. No, I didn't care. He went to work the next day with lazy eyes and marks all over, which I teased the entire time.

"Perhaps," he drawled. "Truth be told, I only came down for a glass of water. I didn't want to bother the Prince since he was already sleeping on the couch instead of the bed I slept in. But, you know..." He trailed off.

"But?"

He sighed, then looked at me. "But, you're here."