She came back without making a peep.
No knock. no announcement. The only indication that she had crossed the door of his office was the minute change in the air as she walked in with her head down and her hands clasped in front of her drab gray apron. On the corner of her cheek, the lantern light fell, turning the bruises there yellow, like faded ink.
Lord Fenris raised his head from his desk, his eyes bright red and piercing.
"Well?" he said softly.
As if eye contact could burn her to the spot, Sayori only lifted her head high enough to make eye contact with his jawline. She began to speak as she moved forward.
Her voice was gentle.
Accurate.
The entire scene was laid out like thread unspooling: the hushed whispers about "the sealed letter" and "arrival by the solstice moon"; the smell of blood covered by lavender oil in the tapestry corridor; Kaelen and Aelira joking about a locked cabinet. The gallery was filled with the sobs of a lesser fae girl, who was bruised and murmuring about a visitor who shouldn't have been there.
Fenris paid attention.
He refrained from speaking. He seldom required it. Sayori's tale was detached and professional. Furthermore, the truth became more palatable as a result of that detachment.
But not this evening...
He saw something today.
Her fingers gripped as she described the locked cabinet and how Kaelen touched it and murmured something under his breath. Only a little bit.
"Did you see what was inside?" he inquired.
"No. Just the shimmer of something… silver," Sayori said, shaking her head.
"That wing is off-limits for a reason," he said, his eyes unreadable, as he leaned back in his chair.
"I know," she murmured, "but I went where you told me to go."
He understood the implicit message, even if it was subtle.
I complied with your request. Regardless of whether it caused pain.
And now, with his entire focus on her, he could see how she favored one leg above the other. She had walked with a greater stiffness than usual. When she moved her weight, her breath caught in her throat a little.
He said, "You're still hurt."
Sayori gave a single blink. Then gave a nod.
As a result of the discipline she had received only days prior.
For something she hadn't done.
He got up gradually and walked across the space. Regardless of how frequently he attempted, she became rigid, prepared to be kicked like a dog. It tormented him.
"Thalen will bring you something to relieve the pain," he said.
"There is no need."
"There is," he responded with greater vehemence than planned.
Sayori flinched.
Fenris said, lowering his voice, "You served me well. I reward those who serve me."
A respite. And then he said, "And I punish those who betray me."
Sayori remained silent. However, her eyes quickly shifted upwards.
Their eyes then locked for a brief period.
She had unremarkable brown eyes. Mortal.
However, something about them made him uncomfortable.
not flame.
Not defiance.
However, a huge and empty quiet.
Similar to someone who has lost all hope.
He tried the name once more, saying, "Sayori."
In his mouth, it still felt odd. Strange. Soft.
She lowered her head. "My lord."
For a moment, Fenris examined her. He then returned to his desk.
"Get some rest. Tomorrow, resume your regular duties."
She remained still.
"Is there more?" he asked while glancing behind him.
Sayori paused.
Then: "Just that… the hound was restless when I came back. whisper. I didn't say anything until he started walking around.
"You talk to the dog?" asked Fenris, raising an eyebrow.
"He listens better than most," she said after pausing.
The corner of his mouth was brushed by a delicate, unexpected curve.
"Perhaps, then, he is the wiser of us."
Sayori blinked.
He waved his hand.
"Move."
She departed in silence, just like she had arrived.
However, Fenris continued to stand for a very long period.
Hearing the silence that followed her—which was now, somehow, more oppressive.
Nearly alone.