Chapter 58: Everly

Chapter

Fifty-Eight

EVERLY

Knots tighten in my stomach as I drag my feet toward Morwen's tent. Cenric's watchful gaze burns into my back, reminding me of the charade I'm about to perform.

I gulp in a quick breath, then push aside the flap and step inside. Morwen, Ava, Brennah, and Feyona look up from their work, surprise crossing their faces at my unexpected entrance.

"Hello," I say with a smile. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

Morwen continues chopping carrots as she speaks. "Not at all, child. What brings you here?"

I fidget with the hem of my sleeve. "Well, I heard a rumor about us possibly moving camp soon, and I wanted to say that I really like it here. I wish we didn't have to go."

Brennah's eyes widen. "We're moving? Why? I love it here too. "

The knots tighten even more as I shrug. "You know how these things go with an army. They're constantly on the move."

Are they?

I wouldn't know.

Feyona narrows her eyes, clearly not buying my act. "Since when do you care about where we camp, Everly?"

"I...I..." I scramble for a believable excuse. "I've grown fond of the...trees here."

Ava snorts.

Morwen, ever the peacekeeper, intervenes. "Well, if we must move, I'm sure wherever we end up will be just as lovely."

I nod enthusiastically. "Absolutely."

Brennah jumps in with her cheerful enthusiasm. "Maybe our new camp will be near a river with a lot of salmon. I've always wanted to learn how to fish."

As the others chime in with their hopes for the new location, I stand there awkwardly, wondering how long I need to keep this up before I can make my escape. I catch a glimpse of Cenric through the tent flap, his expression unreadable.

Great. Now, I'm not only a terrible liar but also a terrible actress.

"Everly," Cenric calls out.

I stumble out of the tent, my cheeks burning. Cenric's gaze pins me in place, and I fight the urge to squirm like a guilty child. Instead, I lift my chin and march over to the log where he sits, plopping down next to him with all the grace of a newborn foal.

I desperately want to say something witty, but my mind is as blank as a fresh piece of parchment. All I can think about is how ridiculous I must have sounded in that tent, prattling on about trees like some deranged fool.

"You're a terrible liar," Cenric says.

I whip my head around to face him. "I'll have you know I'm an excellent liar. Why, just yesterday, I convinced myself that porridge was a delicacy fit for kings."

He doesn't laugh.

I sigh. "What did you expect?"

"I expected better than I like the trees here," he says, his voice as dry as kindling.

"But I do like the trees."

His gaze shifts, his eyes tracking something behind me. Curious, I turn as Ava exits Morwen's tent.

The hem of Cenric's cloak snaps against his legs as he stands abruptly. "Praxis," he calls, and his brother materializes, as if summoned by magic. "Watch Everly."

Cenric walks away, following Ava's path.

Praxis settles onto the log beside me and smiles. "So, Evie Bee. How are you?"

"Well." Does Praxis know about me and Cenric? He doesn't act like it.

Internally, I desperately search for something to say that doesn't involve trees. "Lovely weather we're having, isn't it?"

He laughs, and I'm struck by how different he is from Cenric. Where Cenric is all hard edges, Praxis is open and easy-going. It's almost enough to make me forget about his warning to stay away from his brother.

"There's nothing quite like the brisk morning air to wake you up," Praxis says .

I nod. "It's perfect for activities."

"Activities?" He raises an eyebrow.

Embers of warmth settle in my chest as I envision the activities I have engaged in with Cenric.

Will he really do more later? Or will he push me away again?

"You know, like...walking. And...breathing." I cringe internally.

Amusement glints in Praxis' eyes. "Well, I suppose those are important activities."

I fidget with the wooden fox in my bag as my thoughts shift back to Cenric and his insistence on the staged conversation in Morwen's tent. Then, his sudden interest in following Ava.

The truth hits me like a slap of icy rain to the face. Cenric must think Ava is a spy.

I glance at Praxis, wondering if he's in on this little scheme. His expression gives nothing away.

I shift my attention to the crackling fire. The wood pops and hisses, sending sparks spiraling up into the darkening sky. It's almost mesmerizing enough to distract me from the knot of worry in my gut.

As dusk settles around us, painting the world in shades of purple and blue, I wonder what's happening with Cenric and Ava. Is he interrogating her? Accusing her of being a spy?

I glance at Praxis, who's been whittling away at a piece of wood for a while. He seems entirely too calm. Then again, maybe he's better at hiding his emotions than I am. Or perhaps he's simply mastered the art of not caring. I should ask him for lessons .

The sky darkens further, stars beginning to peek out. I count them and give each one a ridiculous name. There's Shiny, and next to him is Lord Twinkle.

It's a riveting game, really. Almost as exciting as watching grass grow or water boil.

But as the night wears on, my thoughts keep circling back to Cenric and Ava. What if she really is a spy? What will Cenric do?

As I'm contemplating what I should name the next star, I look up to find Cenric standing there, his face carved from stone. If he were any more rigid, I'd worry he'd topple over in a strong breeze.

Whatever happened with Ava, it clearly hasn't improved his mood.

Without a word, he jerks his head toward our tent. I stand, brush off my surcoat, and offer Praxis a weak smile. He returns it with a sympathetic shrug.

As I walk next to Cenric, the silence hovers so thick I could probably use it as a cloak. I desperately want to ask about Ava, but the set of Cenric's shoulders screams, don't even think about it.

So instead, I let my imagination run wild. Did Ava confess to being a master spy? Or maybe she's a princess in disguise. Oh, or perhaps she's—

My internal monologue cuts off as we reach the tent.

Cenric holds the flap open, and I duck inside.