Chapter 36
Thirty-six
Jada
“We have to find where they’re keeping her. Someone will need to sweep the dungeons to be sure. I highly doubt she’s being kept somewhere so public, but you never know.” Orion continues, voice smooth and calculated.
“You’re surprisingly calm for someone so close to her.” The words are cruel but slip out, surprising even me.
He doesn’t blink, doesn’t breathe, as he gives me a look that causes my innards to shrivel.
“I would advise you not to mistake my composure for lack of care. Do not think for one moment that I wouldn’t tear these worlds apart, ripping the fabric of our beings to shreds, if it meant having her safely back in my arms. She is my best friend, the axis of my world.
Without her, I have no tether keeping me in orbit. ”
Embarrassed, I break his stare, looking to the ground as my cheeks flush. “I’m sorry. That was rude of me. It’s been a long day.”
Orion sighs, standing to pace as he runs his hands through his hair. “This is stressful for all of us.”
Silence envelopes us all. Terrified, I ask anyway, “What will they do with her?”
It’s Lando who responds, his voice grim and deep. “Nothing good.”
Showing up for my scheduled Scriptor shift and pretending everything was normal was incredibly nerve-racking.
Brinn stayed with me late into the night in an effort to comfort me, and I’m paying for it with heavy eyes and bone-deep exhaustion.
I spent the morning talking myself up in the mirror, a mixture of optimistic praise and taunting jabs.
A mix between “You can do this, Jada” and “Don’t be a fucking baby”, if you will.
For Zellie, I would do this. We all agreed to continue our daily activities as planned to avoid raising any suspicion.
As far as the men knew, the guards they fought against might know their faces, but wouldn’t know their names.
Which leads me here, walking the corridors to collect my pen and parchment; the Cosmic Hall is oddly inactive.
When I push open the doors to the throne room, eleven of the twelve chairs remain unfilled.
I hold in my grumble at Pluto and the Order’s suspicious absence.
Of course they’re not here—they’re off fucking torturing my best friend.
Piercing blue eyes follow my every move as I take unhurried steps towards the dais.
He sits poised atop his throne, his cloak lazily flowing off the edge of the seat.
Why is he here? “Elio, nice to see you.”
“Hello, Jada.” His voice is a purr, and I inwardly curse myself for leaning into it.
“Just you hosting our meetings today, then?” I avoid those eyes like ice, turning towards my desk and making my hands busy as I organize my stack of parchment.
“Come sit with me,” he commands, voice as calm as smooth water.
Making a point to look towards him, I note, “There’s nowhere for me to sit. I’m fine over here.”
“I didn’t ask if you were ‘fine over here’. I told you to sit with me.” Despite my best efforts, my heart rate picks up speed. Shit, he can sense these types of things, can’t he? Does he know?
He pats the arm of the throne next to him, and a disbelieving laugh escapes me. “With all due respect, I don’t think that would be appropriate.”
“Bring your belongings. I have need of you.”
I take a steadying breath and slowly walk to the throne. I perch myself on the very edge of the seat, waiting for something horrendous to happen—but nothing does.
“Our meetings have been rescheduled. Please take note of the following dates.” He instructs loudly. More quietly, he adds, “You look like a queen.”
I begin mindlessly scribbling on the paper, ears warming at his words.
“Our public hearing will now occur on the second day of the next cycle at 08:00.” He clears his throat before murmuring. “I can help you.”
My pen nearly stalls, but I will myself to continue. “With what?” I ask while holding my breath.
“There is also a meeting that was set to occur regarding the status of surrounding planets; that is hereby rescheduled for the first day of the next cycle.” His eyes burn a hole in the side of my head, but I can’t bring myself to look. “I know where she is.”
At this, I do stall, my head turning his way. This close, he’s even more beautiful—in a dangerous sort of way. His eyebrow quirks, the corners of his lips turning upwards, revealing a hidden dimple. Stars, he is breathtaking. “I see I have your interest now.”
“Where is she?” I speak so quietly I’m not sure he has even heard me.
“Keep writing,” he responds with equal volume. “This will have to be done carefully.” He makes an exaggerated motion to look at my “writing”, before bellowing, “I said the first day, not the third, you foolish girl.”
“My apologies.” I scratch out the looping scribble to keep up the act. “What do you want out of this?”
“To be aligned with the right side for once.”
I nearly drop my pen. Is Elio admitting that he believes Pluto is in the wrong?
Why is he taking action now—why help us now?
Maybe Zellie’s imprisonment has tipped him over the edge.
We all have a limit on how much discomfort we can sustain when our life is out of balance. Perhaps he has reached his limit.
“How can I trust you?”
“Do you have any other choice?”
“What do I need to do?”
“Listen carefully.”