Witch Fall(89)

Han looked off in the direction Pescal had gone. “I don’t think this can go on much longer. The hope for peace grows more fragile with every passing day.”

She caught sight of Pescal weaving through the gardens toward her and let out a tiny breath of relief. “What do you think will happen?” she whispered.

Han watched Pescal, something dark crossing his face. “I don’t know.” He paused. “I’m surprised Doranna let you out here by yourself.”

“I lost her.”

Han cut her a glance. “Wastrels aren’t allowed in the gardens unless their services are called for. I thought you knew that.”

Lilette wondered if Doranna had been searching for her all this time.

Pescal arrived with light pastries and two cups filled with golden liquid. “I would have brought more if I’d known someone else was going to join us.” Despite his friendly words, their undercurrent clearly said Han was not welcome.

Lilette wasn’t sure how she felt about that, but Han had already made his choice, so she remained silent.

Han studied Pescal, his eyes glinting, and then he turned to Lilette. “You’ll be staying at Sash’s tree tonight?”

Panic stabbed through her. She didn’t know where she was supposed to stay.

He must have noticed her hesitation. “You know how to find it?”

She mentally retraced the path. “Yes.”

Han gave Pescal a hard look. “I’ll be waiting to see you arrive safely.” He turned and strode away without looking back.

Pescal didn’t press the issue, just handed her the cup and guided her to a nearby tree. She drank the liquid eagerly. It tasted the way flowers smelled. Some layer of it was familiar, but she couldn’t place it. Delicious.

Pescal handed her half of a pastry. The flakes dissolved in her mouth, and she licked the sugar off her fingers.

Her body seemed to be waking up, every sensation magnified. The gentle caress of the wind felt enticing. Pescal stroked her arm, sending tendrils of fire through her blood. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers, igniting a spark between them. “My tree isn’t far from here.”

“Mmm,” she murmured, her eyes closed. Some part of her blared a warning, but it was overcome with the heat and the sensations.

He helped her to her feet, his fingers trailing down her side to rest on her lower hip. Unable to help herself, she reached up and twirled his cowlick around her finger.

He leaned down and breathed in her ear. “Come on, we’ll go out the back way. Less people to fight through.”

Desire ripped through her, nearly making her gasp. “Yes.” She would go wherever he led her.

“What are you doing?” Lilette whirled around to see Doranna rushing toward them, her face red and her gaze furious. “You know you’re not supposed to be out of my sight.”

Pescal brushed his lips along Lilette’s ear, and fire pulsed in her lower belly. She just wanted Doranna gone. Now. “I’m all right with Pescal.” He chuckled and nuzzled her ear.

Doranna shot him a murderous glare. “She’s an apprentice, and you know it. Your Lead will hear about this, I promise you.”

He kept moving. “I’m just looking after her, making sure she finds somewhere to sleep tonight.”

Doranna planted herself directly in their path. “No you aren’t, and no you won’t.”

“Get out of my way, wastrel.” Pescal put an unnecessary amount of venom into the last word.

Lilette pulled back, shocked at the hatred in his voice. “Don’t talk to her like that.”

Pescal’s entire demeanor changed as he turned toward her—the meanness sucked back in like an oyster snapping shut. “Sorry, sweetling. I just want to do what’s best for you.” He stiffened as he turned back to Doranna. “You are excused.”

Lilette ran her tongue over the roof of her mouth, her lips aching to be kissed. She pushed against him. “Let me go.”

“It’ll be all right—better than all right,” he purred as his hold on her tightened. He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb, and the fight drained out of her.

“Let her go,” Doranna said tightly.

A muscle in Pescal’s face twitched. “Get out of my way.”

Doranna’s fist flashed out, connecting with Pescal’s temple. He staggered back, knocking Lilette down. He scrambled to his feet and lunged at Doranna, but she skipped out of his reach.

“Guardians!” Doranna called. She rolled on the ground, coming up before Lilette, who was struggling to get on her feet.

Within seconds, high-level guardians had converged, hands on their ornate swords. “What’s going on here?” one of them asked.