“He’s been busy,” I stated simply.

Olivianna halted before the armchair, draping the gowns atop it. “The war has been keeping the lot of us busy.” I drank while she surveyed me. “But he seemed angry. More so than usual, most certainly, when he came and stole you.”

I stared at the fresh flowers upon the table, willing my eyes to stay dry. “He’s…” A humorless laugh escaped as I settled on, “Displeased with me, yes.”

“Because you left?” she asked carefully. I nodded, drinking more wine. A heavy half minute later, she sighed. “Are you okay?”

“I will be.” And I wanted to believe that I would be, but I knew it was a lie. A blistering darkness threatened to overtake my soul once more, urging me to return to Wistensia to the misery I knew best. The misery I knew I could survive for I’d done so already.

“You know,” Olivianna said absently. “I never thought I’d see the day that brute of a male tried to court anyone, yet here we are. Five stunning gowns later.” She giggled and began to display each one. “If I do say so myself.”

Indeed, they were stunning.

An array of cream, teal, and three in differing shades of emerald. All of them were simple, as though Scythe had requested they be similar to the gown I’d worn upon first visiting Vordane, but more beautiful than I ever could have imagined.

Loose and tame tufts of organza and silk spurted from the shoulders, and on two of the gowns, in full sleeves to flow gently to the wrist. The busts were velvet and satin, charming without looking too constricting, and the skirts a marvelous waterfall of swinging color.

And they would have cost Scythe an absolute fortune.

“Has he paid for them?”

“Yes, and he paid extra for me to keep them,” Olivianna said, bringing the gowns closer so that I could inspect them.

My fingers trembled as I reached out, and I immediately pulled them back.

“Do you not approve?”

“No, I do,” I said quickly. “They’re simply gorgeous, but I suppose I just don’t understand…”

She laughed. “He might be surly, but he is beyond smitten.” There was a knowing pause as she placed the gowns over the armchair again. “Though I’m sure you’re already more than aware.”

“Courting,” I murmured, recalling that she’d said that just minutes ago.

Olivianna hummed. “Almost adorable, isn’t it? Unless it involves fucking one, Scythe has absolutely no idea what to do with a female.” A light scoff. “Stars, he doesn’t even know how to treat his brethren and friends. I’d blame the upbringing, you know, being conditioned to kill and destroy…”

“Conditioned?”