Chapter 16: Chapter 16

KAMORA

Kamora rose to her feet and gently brushed a speck of dust from Jarosh’s shoulder.

The air in the room shifted, growing tighter. She said, “My lord, you should not worry about this. Your father is eager to get close to you. He wants to know you better.”

Jarosh didn’t respond at once.

His gaze wandered to the window, where the soft sway of the manor’s backyard trees stood in stark contrast to the storm flashing on his face.

“I suppose…if I were to choose,” he said eventually, his voice holding a thread of uncertainty, “I’d like to explore the Goddess’s grove. That strange woman—that was where she wanted to meet you, right?”

Kamora frowned.

“Yes, but why would you want to go there?”

The young lord shrugged, his expression unreadable.

“I’m curious, is all. That was the first time I’d ever heard of a place like that. I’d like to know more.”

Kamora gave a cautious smile.

“Okay then, my lord,” she said. “I will inform your father so he can start making preparations.”

“Are you coming with us?” he asked, his brows drawing together.

She smiled again, this time more genuinely.

“I will accompany you.”

He gave a short huff and turned his head away.

“Okay then. That is good.”

“I’ll go inform him immediately. Please wait for me, my lord. I’ll be back soon.”

Kamora moved toward the door, but Jarosh’s voice stopped her.

“Kamora, why did he not ask me directly?”

She turned, her hand still resting on the doorframe, and met his eyes with a sad smile.

“Perhaps he doesn’t know how to face you,” she said. “He believes he has not been a good father, and that’s why he arranged this—so you both can get closer.”

“But why now?” Jarosh asked.

She gave a helpless shrug.

“I do not know. But you can ask him. I doubt he’ll answer me if I ask on your behalf.”

Jarosh sighed.

“Very well, Kamora. You can go on.”

She gave a nod and a reassuring smile, then left the room.

***

Kamora made her way to Lord Maroke’s study.

Just as her fingers touched the doorknob, it swung open and the stranger she had seen a few days ago stepped out.

Her eyes widened at the sight of him.

He gave a quick bow and walked away without a word, leaving her rooted in place.

~Who is he?~ she wondered.

Now that she thought of it, he was the only other person in the manor who wore fancy clothes apart from Lord Maroke, and his presence didn’t match Claudia’s either.

In some ways, he reminded her of Lord Maroke.

“Kamora?”

His voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

The door stood wide open, and Lord Maroke, seated behind his desk, was watching her with a curious expression.

She stepped inside and bowed.

“What brings you here?” he asked.

“My lord,” she began, straightening up to meet his gaze. “The young lord agrees to go out.”

“Oh?” Lord Maroke leaned back in his chair, fingers laced.

“And where does he want to go?”

“He wants to visit the Goddess’s grove, my lord.”

“The Goddess’s grove?” His brow creased.

“How does he know about that place?”

“It’s my fault, my lord,” she admitted.

“During our trip to the commoners’ market, a strange woman asked me to meet her in the Goddess’s grove. Since then, the young lord has been curious about it.”

“And he wants to go there?”

“Yes, my lord. Do you have any objections?” she added.

Lord Maroke shook his head.

“None at all. I’ll start making arrangements.”

Kamora gave a small bow.

“I’ll take my leave then.”

She turned, but his voice stopped her again.

“If you don’t mind, I’m curious about the woman you met at the market,” he said.

Kamora turned back around, her brows drawn together as the memory of that encounter surfaced in her mind in jagged flashes.

“Honestly, my lord, she was quite strange,” she began.

“She approached me on the road and claimed I was her sister.”

A flicker of something passed across Lord Maroke’s face.

“She…approached you?”

“Yes. And it was especially odd how she knew my name,” Kamora added, fidgeting with her fingers.

“Maybe she followed us and overheard the young lord calling me. That’s the only explanation I can think of.”

“Hmm.” Lord Maroke’s gaze narrowed slightly. “Can you describe her?”

Kamora blinked. “My lord?”

“I’m just curious,” he said with a shrug.

She swallowed, a bead of sweat trailing down her back. “She had bright green hair that flowed down her back, and vines decorated her arms.”

“So, she’s a plant Fae?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Did she specify a time for your meeting?”

“No, my lord.” She quickly shook her head. “If you’re worried about her, I can ask the young lord to pick another place.”

“No, that’s not it. I’m concerned about your safety.”

Kamora’s heart picked up pace. Heat bloomed under her skin, her eyes wide with surprise.

“My lord?” she asked carefully, unsure if she’d misunderstood.

“I wonder if she knows you.”

“But I don’t know her!” Kamora blurted, her voice rising.

“Still,” he said calmly, “aren’t you curious why she asked to meet you in a hidden place?”

Kamora’s lips pressed into a line.

“My lord, have you ever visited a commoners’ market?”

He shook his head. “Not at all. Is that a problem?”

She released a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

“My lord, there are all sorts of tricks people use at the market to rob others. Some even work with witches—they’d find certain body parts quite useful.”

Lord Maroke frowned. “Why haven’t I ever heard of that?”

“Because you’re a noble, my lord. Your status shields you from many things.”

“You don’t think me that oblivious, do you?”

Kamora hesitated.

“I do not believe that’s true, my lord…but I do think there are some things you do not know about.”

“And you know about them?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m a commoner,” she answered plainly.

The silence that followed made her skin prickle, putting her senses on alert. Something in her gut told her he didn’t like that reply, so she stayed quiet.

“Tomorrow,” he said finally. “We leave for the Goddess’s grove.”

“Yes, my lord.” She bowed again.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

This time, he didn’t stop her.

As the door clicked shut behind her, she exhaled sharply and turned toward Jarosh’s room.

***

She knocked once and stepped inside.

Jarosh was sprawled across his bed, a book resting open in his hands.

“My lord,” she said with a soft smile. “Your father says that tomorrow, we leave for the Goddess’s grove.”

“Really?” His eyes lit up as he sat up straight, the book sliding onto his lap. “So soon?”

“He must be very eager to spend the day with you,” Kamora answered.

From the doubtful look that passed over his face, she knew he didn’t believe that. “No problem then,” he said, hopping off the bed. “I have to pick out my outfits and my snack. Maybe we can stop on the way and get one of those fried chickens we bought the last time?”

Kamora watched him with a small, amused smile. Her thoughts lingered on her talk with Lord Maroke.

The way she’d spoken of the market…the way the words had come so naturally.

She hadn’t even realized she knew those things. Were her memories starting to return?