It is a wound, unhealed after all this time. It is not for me to decide how Eurus should repair it. However, I do not believe this is the answer. “What will happen when th-they are dead? Who will g-govern the city?” I ask.
“No one. It will fall to anarchy, most likely.”
“And you are not troubled by this?”
“Not in the slightest.”
My concern over the matter deepens, as does my guilt in playing a part in the collapse of the divine as we know them. “Eurus—”
“Please, bird.” He lifts a hand. “Just for tonight, can we pretend we do not stand on opposite sides of war? I know you do not like it, but do not forget our bargain. I have something you want. You have something I want. For now, let that be enough.”
He is right. I made my decision long ago. My mind will not change. Why should I hope the East Wind’s would? “Understood.”
I am acutely aware of Eurus’ proximity, the heat of his long, muscular torso buffeting mine. I cannot be the only one struggling to breathe with any semblance of normalcy.
“The remaining competitors are going out tomorrow night,” he abruptly states, voice strained. “Seeing as it is the final night before the trial, it is their last opportunity to let loose.”
The change in topic takes me aback. “Let loose?” I did not think the East Wind was capable of such ease.
He crosses his arms, drops them to his sides, crosses them again. “Well, yes,” he says gruffly. “I’ve noticed mortals are quite fond of the phrase.”
I suppose he has a point. Our remaining days at the palace dwindle. The final trial, the victor’s banquet, then: my return to Marles. Three days. That is all I have left in the realm of gods.
And then? A violent clash of mortal and divine. Following the East Wind’s capture, Lady Clarisse will carve out his heart, all for the purpose of creating a potion that would extend her life indefinitely. The thought makes me horribly, unspeakably ill.
What if I ignored her message? I could pretend I never received it. Eurus would return me to St. Laurent, and with his banishment reversed, he could settle in the City of Gods. Without that god-touched weapon, her ladyship would in all likelihood refuse to sell me the estate. Could I live with that, my future undefined?
Whatever the answer, it is too complex a problem to solve tonight. “If you want tolet loose, as you say, Eurus, I am not going to stop you.” Though perhaps I’d hoped he would spend the evening with me. Foolish, to be certain.
“Bird.” He stares at me long enough that I shift in place. “I’m asking if you would join me. Not as my assistant, but as my companion.”
“Oh.” I blink wide eyes. “L-like a—” I can’t say it. I must say it. “Date?” I squeak out.
To my considerable shock, the East Wind shuffles his feet nervously. “I suppose that is something you mortals care for?”
I nod in response.
“Then would you do me the honor of accompanying me tomorrow evening?”
My every pore screams to reach out and touch him, grasp the fabric of his cloak, draw him close, toe to toe and groin to groin. By the Mother, there must be something wrong with me. “Y-yes! I mean—” I clear my throat. Too much enthusiasm? “I don’t have anything to wear.”
The East Wind gazes at me for two, three, four heartbeats. I can almost imagine his expression: a bit perplexed, a subtle softening. “Luckily, I know someone who does.”
“I can’t accept this.”
The East Wind peers over my shoulder, comically large in the mirror’s reflection. The drab black of his cloak looks out of place amongst the racks of jewel-toned gowns and diamond-encrusted accessories. Through the storefront windows, a small crowd has gathered, faces pressed against the glass. I ignore them.
“You can,” Eurus says.
Demi pulled some strings. I’m not sure what she promised the shopkeeper, exactly, but the woman closed her store to accommodate a private dress fitting.Mydress fitting. Granted, I only have the hour, but I never imagined I would be allowed such a privilege.
“I really can’t.” The silk of the blue gown pours like water over my body. “How much does this cost?” I imagine it to be exorbitant.
“Don’t worry about the cost,” he assures me. “If you like it, get it. It looks good on you.”
The sapphire coloringdoescomplement my pale skin and black hair. And yet, he likely doesn’t understand what it means to be given something without expectation of recompense.
I bite my lower lip until the sting behind my eyes passes. Crying over silk. What is the world coming to? “I’ll pay you b-back.” Somehow. “Or I can wear a dress I already own.” Plain cotton, but at least it is clean. My coat will conceal the small holes near the hem.
