The silence stretched on for too long and Arianna stepped away. Betrayal hit her hard in the chest. Her teacher, her friend, the woman who had been her everything, was walking away when the bombs were dropping.
“I hope you decide to grow into your words,” Florence said softly. Arianna didn’t even turn. “I hope you decide to stay with me, as my friend. I hope you decide you can live up to who you say you are. That you can support me in what I want even if it’s not what you wanted for me.”
The door clicked closed as her only reply.
39.ARIANNA
It had been three days since Florence had last spoken to her. Three days of wading through the din of the Alchemists Guild hall, lacking direction and purpose. Three days of watching Florence recover, stronger than ever.
The girl threw herself into acclimating to the Guild. At some point, she spoke with Sophie and the Vicar had agreed to let her join whatever pathetic rebellion was brewing. That, or Florence was even better than Arianna had given her credit for at making new friends—and Arianna had given the charismatic girl a lot of credit.
Cvareh was nowhere to be found, and she insisted to herself that she was glad for that fact. She didn’t need the Dragon in her life. In fact, good riddance if he left her. She didn’t need him or the Raven-turned-Revo-turned-Chimera. She didn’t need anyone.
At least, those were the lies she told herself. But as Arianna sat tinkering, building lock after lock and useless trinket after trinket, the loneliness grew. After she’d lost everything in the last resistance, she’d gained Florence. And now she’d lose Florence to the new resistance. Cvareh would likely betray them all and she’d be left with ghosts and enemies anew.
“So this is what the great and charismatic Arianna has been reduced to.”
“Go away.” Arianna didn’t even turn from her workbench. She remained hunched over the tiny springs and dials of a mechanical bird. Getting its wings to flap had been trying her patience all morning.
Sophie ignored her, crossing over to the table. She picked up the wingless body of the bird. “Well, if I ever need to send messages via clockwork pigeon, I know who to turn to.”
“What do you want?” Arianna was already spitting venom. She was in no mood and was utterly unapologetic about the fact.
“You know what I want.” Sophie put the trinket down.
“I’ve been wondering when you’d finally start hounding me.”
“I’m not going to be a rusty gear about this.”
She didn’t believe it for a second.
“I’m going to ask you for your help.”
“Oh, is that all? That’s a relief. No, then.” Arianna returned to fumbling with the wing.
“Arianna—”
She made loud squeaking noises, imitating the rusty gear that Sophie had claimed she wouldn’t be.
“Stop.” Sophie covered Arianna’s hands with hers and the watch she’d been using as a distraction. “You’re not a child.”
“I was never a child.”
Sophie laughed. “Well, there we can disagree.”
“I already told you no,” Arianna reminded her. “I think we’re done here.”
“Arianna.” Sophie sighed.
“Sophie.” She sighed dramatically in reply.
“Weren’t we friends?” Sophie had the audacity to look hurt.
“No,” Arianna was out for blood. “You and Eva were friends.”
“You can’t be jealous of her and me. Your presence was the thing that reduced us to nothing. If anything I should be the one cross with you. The woman is dead, let—”
“Don’t talk about her!” Arianna slammed her fist on the table, suddenly on her feet. She never wanted anyone to make assumptions about the woman she had loved. Least of all Sophie.
