Chapter 39
It’s Tuesday and I’m still so wiped from the weekend.
Even though I slept most of the way back to Havengard City.
Not that I feel guilty about that. I’ve never learned to drive. Donovan swears he’ll get me on the road by summer, but we’ll see.
Who knows if summer will even exist for me.
My sweet Donovan. He’s snuck into my bed the last two nights and I don’t think I’d have managed to close my eyes without him.
The image of Ludo pale and bleeding out haunts me every moment.
Talking of which.
—Lu?—
—Nymph?—
—You good?—
—I continue to be well—
Yeah, so I’m checking in on him a lot, but with Wes almost slipping through my fingers, I’m living in an eternal state of fear.
As far as the healers are concerned, Wes is basically gone, but we know that’s not true.
His spark still flickers, but I need to keep working to make his flame sturdy. Then he’ll have enough strength to come back to us.
To me.
I’m going to the medical wing again tonight.
But before that, I’m supposed to be heading to the library to meet up with my study group—Jordan and Cosmo. Wahoo.
—Wish me luck— I say to Ludo —I’m off to hang out with the happy couple—
—The dragon and his…woman—
—Yep—
—I am glad I am not too invited—
—I bet you are—
The ‘dumb-Theo’ thing is wearing on me.
Mr. Quinlin gives a wave as I enter the library, and I go settle in the Elite section, pulling out my coursework for Magi Jurisprudence. Professor McCall’s assignments are no joke. On top of that, I only understand one word in ten that comes out of her mouth.
I’m stretching my back, feeling irritated, when the door to the restricted archives room opens and Alexis walks out.
His brow is furrowed in that intense way that usually means his gryphon has been hunting information.
—Lex? You okay?—
He doesn't look my way, but his pace slows. —Every primary source on the void, or even just dark energy is missing from the stacks. Not checked out. Just... absent.—
—That’s ominous. Who the fuck has them?—
—I’m going to talk to Quinlin now...—
“Good evening, Theodora,” Cosmo says, dropping a pile of files onto the table, making me jump.
Jordan says nothing as she sits, but the massive sigh that leaves her lungs speaks volumes.
I turn my mind away from my gryphon’s problems and focus on the task at hand. “What are you working on tonight, Jordan?" I ask sweetly.
She looks up, and tries to frown, but her technician has gone too heavy on the muscle-freezing spells. No facial expressions for Jor-Jor any more.
“If you must know, I’m trying to sort out this fucking mess-of-a-menu the caterers sent. Why would anyone think venison tartare should be paired with fermented black garlic? Any idiot knows rose-petal foam is the go-to these days?”
I clap my hands together like an idiot. “Ooh, rose-petal foam? That is so chic, Jordan. Like, literally beyond.”
She blinks then turns to Cosmo. “You have your suit?”
“Yes, dearest. I will be the perfect foil for your beauty.”
As he turns away, he mutters something about gaudiness and the nouveau riche.
—Poor Cosmo…Fire and Ice not your preferred party theme?—
—The lack of taste pains me—
—I heard Jordan’s getting life-sized ice sculptures of the two of you made…—
—Kill me now—
—By the way…did you know your celebration is on Krampus night? —
—Gods, I would give anything to have Jordan eaten by a Christmas Troll—
—Lol. Is it too late to suggest a troll-theme for your party?—
—Not funny and not helping, Theodora—
Trying to keep my face straight, I bury myself into the depths of Havengard bylaws from the Eighteenth Century.
I’m halfway through a particularly dry passage about property rights for non-magical residents when Cosmo’s phone starts playing some song about nightmares.
“It’s father, I’ve got to take this.” He pushes back his chair and heads out of the library.
Jordan slams her notebook shut, startling me. “I guess I’ll have to ask your opinion. crystal or silver trim on the napkins?”
I blink, making sure my mask is in place. “I think silver would be nice, it’s so wintery.”
“Crystal it is then,” Jordan smirks.
Gods.
“Sounds lovely, and lumpy.”
Cosmo comes back to the table, his face is completely blank.
“Crystal trim for the napkins, don’t you think, darling?” Jordan says, pushing a catalogue towards him. “Silver is so teenage prom.”
He doesn’t reply.
“Cosmo, are you listening to me?”
“What? Sorry, yes. Whatever you think’s best.”
The next second I feel Cosmo in my head.
—Theodora…listen—
Cosmo’s mental voice doesn't match his neutral expression.
—My father is losing his mind. They think the children were incinerated in the fire—
I keep my eyes fixed on the page. —That’s good isn’t it?—
—Yes and no. He’s on a rampage for more kids…they're planning an 'emergency recruitment' sweep through the poor northern cities—
A wave of nausea hits me. Our victory at the weekend just turned into a death sentence for more families.
—We have to tell Bea. Get the Unbound to hide all the kids in the area—
—I know. I’ll get Max and Duncan online to send out a warning—
—Good. Do it—
Those poor children.
I eye my unfinished assignment. Fuck it.
“I’m done for the evening.” I pack my bags feeling nauseous with worry.
Please, Gods, keep all the little children safe.
I need to get back and wait for Alexis to take me to Wes.
“We can walk back together,” Cosmo says, yawning like he’s bored. “Ready, dearest?”
Jordan flicks her hair then arches her back. “All this studying has made me achy. Come back to mine and rub my back.”
For some reason, the idea of Cosmo rubbing oil onto Jordan’s perfect body makes the knot in my stomach worse.
“I’d love to, but I heard there may be another head count tonight. It’s tedious but we need to stay in our own rooms.”
My belly unclenches slightly.
A pout appears on Jordan’s lips. “We never get any alone time, I’m sick of it. I’m a Singleton-Smith and you’re a Drakeward. These petty rules should not apply to us.”
Cosmo puts a hand on her arm. “It’s our duty to lead by example, my dear.” His lips curve but the smile doesn’t meet his eyes. “And there’s a plus side. If we don’t have any ‘alone time’ before the wedding, think how…exciting…our wedding night will be.”
Ugh.
I know it’s bullshit, but I still hate hearing about it.
My feelings about Cosmo Drakeward are very confusing. I recognize he’s changed, and he’s doing his best to do good…but….he’s still the man who tortured me.
“That’s ridiculously old fashioned,” Jordan snaps. “We’re not living in Victorian times.”
“More the pity,” Cosmo sighs. “Try thinking of it as romantic. I’ll lend you my copy of ‘The Duke and I’.”
Both Jordan and I look at Cosmo with confusion.
“It’s what the first season of Bridgerton is based on.”
“Fine,” she sighs. “But I hope you’re not expecting me to be a virgin.”
"Pretty sure that ship sailed long ago," Cosmo mutters.
“What did you say?” Jordan snaps, her eyes narrowing.
Cosmo doesn't even glance up from his files. “Pretty sure that clip has failed. Look, it’s broken at the hinge.” He waves a binder with one hand.
Turning a snort into a cough, I smile brightly at them both. “My clip failed a year ago, but now I’m very happy with my loose hinge.”
Cosmo bends over, as if to pick something off the floor.—Theodora…—
Enough playing around.
—I’m off to see Wes…can you keep her occupied for a minute so she doesn’t see where I go?—
A flicker of a grimace shows on Cosmo’s face, then he’s back to his bland smiles.
“Did you decide on the napkin trim, dear? I’d love to see the samples one more time…”
Jordan’s face lights up. “Of course, but I do think crystal is the way to go.”
I slip out as she starts pawing through her magazine again.
As I exit the library, my tablet pings with a new message. Pulling it out, I feel leaden dread in my stomach as I read the notification.
HEALTH MANDATE: WILSON, THEODORA
LOCATION: ELECTUS SATELLITE INFIRMARY
APPOINTMENT: 21:00 (IMMEDIATE)
PROCEDURE: ROUTINE BLOOD PANEL.
NOTE: MANDATORY. NO DELAYS.
Routine? There’s nothing routine about this. Has Janine Hart come for me?
Fuck.
—Alexis!—
—I saw the notification…on my way to sickbay now…don’t go in until I get there—
Moving through the shadows of the ivy-covered stone walls, part of me can’t help thinking it would be better to run.
No, Theo. See the plan through. You’ll be OK, Alexis will be there.
I see Lex waiting for me on the front steps of the tower. By the tight set of his jaw, I can tell he’s worried too.
“Ah, Ms. Wilson,” he says, his voice stern for the benefit of the peacekeepers. “You received the medical summons. I’ll escort you.”
The guard in the foyer looks up briefly, then leans back in his chair, completely bored.
—I’m freaking, Lex. Will Janine be able to tell I’m not under her spell?—
As soon as we turn a corner, he grips my shoulders. “The Lumina will protect you. And whatever happens, she is not leaving here with you, I promise.”
“I trust you.”
A female healer looks up as we enter.
“I brought in a student for a blood draw, Healer,” Alexis’s voice is cool and professional.
“Ms. Wilson? Thank you for being prompt.” She looks towards the two people standing by Wes’s bed. “Doctors, would you like me to take the sample?”
“Yes. Theodora, come here,” Janine Hart commands. “Take a seat.”
I do as I’m bid while Alexis leans against the doorframe, the perfect picture of a bored supervisor.
—Everything is going to be OK, pulu—
The healer wipes my arm with an antiseptic wipe. “Relax,” she murmurs.
“You can leave us, Professor,” Jonquil says.
“It’s no problem, I can wait. I’ll have to escort to her dorm anyway.”
The healer slides in the needle. I flinch.
“Absolutely not. We may be in Havengard, but HIPAA still exists,” Janine snaps at Lex. He grunts, looking bored. “Fine, I’ll wait outside. I’d rather not watch students get prodded and poked anyway. I'll leave you to your privacy."
—No! Alexis!—