Free A Soul for Vengeance by Crista McHugh

up from the book he was reading, his mouth parting, and stood. “I’m honored that you decided to join me, Arden.”
    The elf closed the door to the room, trapping her inside the drawing room with her father. “I’m only here because you have my mother’s necklace, and I want it back.”
    “So you’ve told me.” He laid his book aside and approached her in the same cautious manner as before, his steps long and slow, his eyes never leaving her face. “Might I offer you some tea?”
    Her stomach growled loud enough for anyone inside the palace to hear. Arden gritted her teeth. “Yes, tea would be fine.”
    While he went to the tray in the corner to pour her cup, she inspected the room. Two tall bookcases lined either side of the large window overlooking the snowy valley, each overflowing with books. “This looks more like a library than a drawing room.”
    “No, the library is down the hall,” he replied, offering her the cup. “I’ll gladly show it to you, if you’d like.”
    “Maybe later.” She took a sip of the tea, her breath catching as she tasted the warm brew. He’d known exactly how she liked it without asking. She reinforced her mental shields, an art she’d perfected while in the company of the Empress. “If you have a library, why do you keep all these books here?”
    He ran his finger down one of the leather spines, his expression brightening. “These are my favorite books, the ones I’ve read over and over again. They’ve become old friends over the years, and I like to keep them close.”
    Arden scanned the shelves, slowly sounding out the titles in her mind. The Transfiguration of Debron’s Empire. The Legacy of Zolar. The Dark Hovel. “I don’t recognize any of these books.”
    “I doubt you would. These are all tales about Gravaria. You are welcome to read any of them, though.” He paused, stretching his neck as though his collar was too tight. “That is, if you do read.”
    Fire shot down her spine. “Yes, I know how to read, if that’s what you’re implying.”
    “Although not very well, eh? I bet you can’t pronounce the title of that book.”
    “Shut up, Loku.”
    Varrik’s brows rose. “I wasn’t expecting you to be so accomplished.”
    “And what is that supposed to mean?” She dug her nails into her palm, the constant simmer of Loku’s magic taunting her, begging her to draw upon it and teach Varrik a lesson or two.
    He took a step back as though he seemed to know how close to the brink she was, how dangerous she could become if she dipped into the chaos god’s power. “Nothing at all. I’m just surprised since your mother didn’t know how to read.”
    The mention of her mother doused her anger. How could he remember such a personal detail about a woman he cast aside? “She never learned—she was too busy working to support me.”
    To his credit, a hint of remorse filled his blue eyes before he looked away. “Then how did you learn to read?”
    “Dev taught me.”
    She continued to run her finger along the shelf until she came to a book whose spine was so creased, she couldn’t read the title. She pulled it from the shelf and flipped through the pages. She’d only seen writing like this once before, when Dev scribbled something in Elvish for her to try to read. The memory pierced her heart and made her eyes burn. She doubted she’d ever have another reading lesson with him again.
    “Stop boo-hooing over that stupid elf and get on with your life. You’re much better off without him trying to restrain us.”
    Am I? She’d gotten so used to having Dev by her side in times of trouble that she missed him more than ever in situations like this.
    “Remember, you wouldn’t be here if Dev hadn’t meddled in your life and informed Varrik that he’d sired a child with the Ranellian maid he’d had a fling with . ”
    She lifted her eyes from the book to her father. His face was pale and drawn as he stared at her. “Is something wrong?”
    He shook his