Chapter 42: Cenric

Chapter

Forty-Two

CENRIC

The wind whips at the tent flap, waking me before dawn. My frigid swim last night hadn't done what I needed.

I needed a distraction, to forget, but I couldn't forget. I tossed and turned for hours, remembering every kiss, every moment, especially the way Everly gave herself to me. It's as if…

No. I refuse to think about that, to put it into words.

I sigh and haul myself from the bed.

As I dress, I remember the missive Praxis handed me in Alvina's cottage. I yank it from my cloak, sit at the table, and open it.

Hawke's sharp, angular script leaps off the page. I read it once, twice, three times, desperately hoping I've misunderstood.

A ,

I've done as you requested. The spy is in place within the Bloodstone camp. Trust in me, sister. Believe in our cause. Everly will gather the information we need. Soon, we'll have everything necessary to bring down Cenric and his warriors.

Stay vigilant.

Our time approaches.

H

A quick exhale escapes me as I crumple the missive, willing the world to right itself, but it doesn't. Nor does that damn letter disappear.

Everly is the spy?

Unbidden, images of her flood my mind. Her shy smiles, the way her eyes light up when she sees me.

Is it all a lie?

I stand abruptly, nearly upending the table, and pace my tent. Part of me screams to act, to confront her, to cast her out of the camp and be done with this betrayal.

But this is Everly, the woman I've known most of my life. The one who used to follow me around like a shadow, her bright eyes filled with adoration. The same woman whose lips I claimed last night, whose body I yearned to possess.

Surely, she wouldn't spy for Hawke. Surely, she wouldn't deceive me like this.

Hades.

The evidence is damning!

How else would Alvina have obtained such a detailed map of our encampment? There's no way she could have gathered that information on her own .

No, she would need help from within. Help from someone close to me. Help from Hawke.

I turn toward the tent flap, needing answers and knowing where I'll find them.