16The sun-washed sky had faded to gray by the time Lena returned to the inn. She crept through the kitchen door, hopeful that no one had noticed her absence, and was met with a grumble of disapproval.
“Glad to see you’ve finally decided to join us,” Jace muttered. He was up to his elbows in bubbles, hands submerged in a sink full of dirty dishes. He shook the bangs out of his eyes, swearing when they immediately fell back over his brow. “Where were you?”
Lena shut the door gently behind herself. “Edwin had me run into the market on an errand.”
“Run? You?” Jace sneered. “You can barely walk one step without my help.”
Lena straightened. “I made it there and back, didn’t I?” The moment the words slipped out, she regretted them. Without Jace, she might still be sprawled on the beach, unabl
