Hearts of Wrath and Ruin | Throne of Glass | Fenrys

Chapter 14

The meeting with Dorian went relatively well. The King didn't even seem all that shocked to hear that there are evil deities waiting to destroy them. He and Chaol had promised to look for the sword in Adarlan's coffers, although they did mention that it might take a while, since their accounts were apparently a mess. That being said, Dorian had asked them to stay in the castle for the time being. He had even made it a point to personally show them to their rooms.

But that wasn't what irked Fenrys, as he flopped down in a chair on a small balcony of his room. No, it was a sight of Dorian and Ramiel, strolling through the gardens together, talking as if they knew each other for years. He didn't know what to think of it. The King had been acting strangely with her during that entire meeting too, all secretive smiles and charming manners. And Ramiel wasn't any better, returning all his gestures in her own subtle way. In some strange, predatory way, it was almost as if they were flirting.

Fenrys didn't want to aknowledge why that was actually bothering him. He knew Dorian had some weird, twisted relationship with the witch Queen, Manon, but it didn't seem like they were really together. Was it possible that she didn't hold the King's attention anymore? If so, it wouldn't be a surprise that he showed interest in Ramiel. Fenrys knew well enough, having witnessed it himself, what effect she had on most males. Unfortunately, as of lately, it seemed like he was slowly falling into that category as well.

But Ramiel usually didn't pay any mind to the males swooning over her, almost as if she didn't notice it at all. So what was it about Dorian that made him different? Fenrys knew that the King had a way with females, not to mention he was definitely easy on the eyes.

Is that what Ramiel wanted? A handsome, young King?

Fenrys shook his head to chase away those thoughts. Why was he even debating Ramiel's love life was beyond him. They were friends, and they were on an important mission. He knew that she was a no-nonsense person when it came to bussiness, and he was sure she would still maintain her composure, no matter her personal affairs.

Even when those affairs made something uncomfortably twist in his gut.

A sharp knock on his doors snapped him out of his thoughts and when he looked out at the gardens again, Dorian and Ramiel were nowhere to be seen. He heaved a sigh and trudged across the room. Maybe it was Chaol, coming to tell him that the sword was already found.

Fenrys almost snorted at that foolish hope. He really just wanted to leave this city.

But when he opened the doors, it wasn't the Hand of the King standing on the other side, but Ramiel. He knew he didn't manage to mask his surprise as fast as he wanted, when one of her brows rose up in a questioning look.

"Were you expecting someone else?" She asked, her voice taking on a teasing note. But he didn't return her smile, as he remembered that time Aedion had pointed out his reputation. Is that what she thought of him? That he was using any opportunity to get someone into his bed?

Truth be told, he used to do that a lot. It had been an outlet for all the shit he had to go through with Maeve. But not once did he do that again since they had joined Aelin. Not once since Connall's death and the events that followed it.

"No." He shook his head slightly, chasing away his unwanted thoughts. "What is it?"

"Well, since Dorian is looking through his coffers, we have some time to kill." She said it like it was obvious that they would spend that time together. "We could go out to the city, see what this new Rifthold has to offer."

"Sure." He didn't think twice before saying that. His voice might have sounded indifferent, but somewhere deep inside he was happy that she came to him. That she wanted to actually spend some time with him, outside of their travels when they had no other choice. But he didn't dare aknowledge that feeling, as he shrugged on his cloak and left the room to join her.