49. Chapter Forty-Nine #2
"Yeah, Aly, how else are you going to snare the attention of the prince, if you're not in something glamorous and sparkly?" Hendrix adds with a wink. "And low cut. It should definitely be low cut."
Zenn narrows his eyes. "You're not helping."
"And why exactly would I be the one trying to get the prince's attention?
" I ask dryly, not liking the sound of this plan.
It feels vapid and shallow to be talking about dresses and parties when Dex bled out in my arms only hours ago.
He would want me to find Bri, though, and there's a chance she could be there.
"So I can find out what they've learned about the soil while the others take the opportunity to look for information on your sister," Zenn replies, turning back to me. “Since it’s not likely we’ll get lucky enough to find her immediately, at an event with masks nonetheless, the main focus for all four of us will be finding a way into the city in the days after the ball. Either through an official meeting with Redson, access Jes and H will find out about through the staff, or a royal invitation.”
He winces at me, and I let out an incredulous laugh as their plan becomes clear. “Let me get this straight. You want me to capture the prince’s attention, keep it long enough for you to talk to your contact, and see if I can get the birthday boy to, what, ask me on a date?”
“Genius, right?” Hendrix grins.
Zenn looks about as thrilled at the prospect as I do.
“Aly, the joint investigation into the soil gives me a plausible excuse for being here with Jes and H. But we don’t have a cover story for another Foundation being here, one who doesn't even have permission…
I assume you're not going to sit at home while we look for Bri?
" I vehemently shake my head. “Exactly, so the prince is your best bet, at least until we find ourselves a legitimate reason to go back.”
I flush at the extra effort they’re having to go to because I’m not supposed to be here. "Wouldn't it make more sense to blend into the shadows and try to approach Redson during the festivities rather than me calling attention to myself with the prince?"
"I don't stand a chance of getting near Redson without removing my mask and revealing my identity to everyone. Whereas you…well, who could fault Prince Errik for being unable to resist pursuing a beautiful woman?"
Begrudgingly, I have to admit, it's not a terrible plan, except for one glaring mistake.
"The success of this rests on catching his eye and getting him to approach, right?
" Not to mention, keep him interested long enough to stick around.
Zenn nods, raising a questioning brow. "So it shouldn't be me.
It has to be Jeska. She's the obvious choice to be the bait, for lack of a better word.
" I give her an apologetic shrug. "You're stunning. He won't be able to resist."
"I can't tell if this is you trying to get out of wearing a dress or fishing for a compliment. You're–" Hendrix starts.
Zenn cuts him off. “We all have our roles to play. You can trust Jes will do everything in her power to find out whatever she can about Bri.”
"I should be the one looking. She’s my sister,” I retort.
"They'll be splitting up to cover more ground," he fires back. "If anything happens, she can take care of herself." The unspoken end of his sentence hangs between us. She can look after herself, you can't.
The spark of fight goes out of me. He's not wrong, even though that shard of truth hurts like hell.
This afternoon, I ran out of the house like a fool, and Dex died.
I was right there with him and couldn't do a damn thing.
The scrape of my chair scuffing the floor breaks the awkward silence, I stand to collect the empty plates, quietly saying, "I maintain Jeska is the better choice, but I'll go along with whatever you think is best."
Hendrix pushes up from his chair, helping me clear the table.
"Great, then it's a plan, or the start of one, at least. Now, maybe you should heal yourself, and us, if you're up for it? My split lip hurts like a bitch, and yours looks worse. Cuts and bruises don’t make good party accessories, even one with masks. "
Gods, I didn't even think of healing them. Turns out, it wouldn’t have mattered either way, since I can’t access a single drop, despite feeling the roiling trench within me.
I try, Hendrix first and then my own injuries.
Nothing works. There's only the pain. "I'm so sorry.
I...I had to use my dagger this afternoon. Maybe it'll be fixed tomorrow?"
"No stress. We're fine, a few scratches at most. You're probably just exhausted and still in shock," Zenn says. "Why don't you take something for the pain and head to bed? You can try again in the morning."
"Yeah, maybe I will," I reply, heading toward the door. "I don't need to take anything. I'll be fine. I just need to sleep it off."
An expression I can't define flashes across his face, there and gone in a blink. Something like agony, guilt, and grief twisted up together. "Do you want me to come with you?"
The question is so sweet and tender, it punches a hole through my ribcage, barely leaving breath for my whispered reply. "No, it's fine. I'll just be asleep. You stay, figure out the plan with the others." He nods slowly, and I retreat down the hall, choking back sobs, wishing I'd said yes.
Regret slices me open. I don't want to be alone, drowning in all this.
I just don't know how to be seen in pain.
I'm used to stuffing it down, burying it deep, pasting on a smile. What if he’s strong enough for me to break though, just a little?
Before fear can stop me, I turn around, hovering in the door, clinging to the hope he'll see me, praying that he won't.
He does.
And I know.