Reborn I Refuse To Save The Traitors (Margaery) novel Chapter 6

Chapter 6 The Heart You Hold Dear

Russell's blood boiled—not just at Margaery's thoughtless ways, which stung like a fresh wound, but at Avery, always playing the saint with that smug, peacemaking air.

Margaery's health had been frail of late. He'd heard rosewood could calm the spirit, so he'd trudged to Cloudveil Abbey to fetch her a blessed charm.

He'd even carved a tiny hollow in a hairpin to hide it—a delicate job for his rough hands.

By the time he'd etched half a phoenix into the wood, his fingers were nicked and raw.

For two weeks, he kept it secret, hiding it from Margaery's eyes.

Now, the memory brought a bitter pang to his heart.

"Russell," Avery said, stepping close, his voice soft but sharp, "you can swear you're done with her, but we both know you've never let Margaery go. Out of all of us, you care for her most."

"How about I set something up?" he went on. "We'll grab some plum cakes, just us three. You two can talk, clear the air."

"No chance!" Russell snapped, his voice hot with anger. "I don't have a sister with a heart that cruel! Tessa fell from that rockery, and whether Margaery pushed her or not, she wanted her gone!"

"And you," he spun on Avery, eyes blazing, "quit poking your nose in my business! You're no better. She asks for help, you take her trinkets and walk off. When've you ever really had her back? The mess she's in? That's partly your doing!"

"Enough of your high-and-mighty airs!" Russell's voice shook with scorn. "I'm done with the lot of you!"

With a rough push, he brushed past Avery and fled into the gathering dusk.

Avery's cheeks burned, his breath stuck in his throat.

'I only wanted to mend their bond, to keep this family whole,' he thought, stung. 'Why am I the villain? Fine.'

He let out a weary sigh. 'It's Margaery's doing, stirring up this storm.'

Tomorrow, he'd make her apologize to Russell, so he'd stop shooting Avery those bitter looks.

'Margaery's too much,' he thought, irritation flaring. 'A hairpin's one thing, but Russell's gift? That one held the charm he prayed over for her.

'To give it away so carelessly—who wouldn't be wounded?'

Not Margaery. She swept into Gracewind Garden, all smiles.

Her maid, Amber, stepped forward, her voice low but firm. "My lady, how could you give away Lord Russell's hairpin? It's got the charm he had blessed for you, to keep you safe."

Margaery's smile cooled. "It's fine, Amber. Let it keep Tessa safe now. That's just as well."

"But, my lady," Amber pressed, "it's not the same. The priest blessed it for you. It won't protect her, even if you gave it to Lady Tessa."

Margaery's gaze softened at Amber's frostbitten hands.

"It's just a charm," she said gently. "What hurts more is how I've dragged you into this, sent off to do rough work."

Amber, the daughter of Margaery's late nursemaid, had stayed loyal since the old woman's death.

There'd once been three other maids, but when Tessa arrived, their father sent the two eldest to serve her, leaving only Amber and Paige at Gracewind Garden.

Paige had since turned to Tessa, leaving Amber as Margaery's only true friend.

In her old life, Margaery had failed to protect herself or Amber. This time, she'd make it right.

She slipped a jar of healing salve into Amber's hands. "Hold on a little longer," she said. "I promise, we'll leave this place soon."

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