“We’restuckhere.” Noelle seemed as thrilled as Eira was.
“We’re focusing on the tournament anyway. We’ll hardly notice, I’m sure.” Alyss spoke for herself. Eira was still focused on Ulvarth foremost. “Let’s go inside and see what our new quarters look like.”
They opened the door and Noelle promptly blurted, “Is this some kind of poorly made jest?”
“We haven’t seen all of it yet,” Alyss said optimistically, leading the charge into theverymodest accommodations.
The foyer was more of a hallway than its own room, stretching back to a sparsely furnished common area. There was a table and two benches behind a simple sofa positioned beforea hearth. A single lantern placed in the center of the table. Upstairs was a loft with two bunks.
Eira probed the building with her magic, here and there, as they explored. There wasn’t much in the way of echoes. The banister held a few faint words, all related to the construction of the building. The lamp had two ladies discussing the dropping of a tax on imported silks with the treaty. Some of the things she probed had nothing at all, and what was there wasn’t interesting. The place was quieter than anywhere she’d ever been. It felt new, even to her magic.
“At least they gave us linens.” Noelle picked at the blanket on her bed. “Thin, scratchy, linens.”
“But warm!” Alyss offered optimistically. “The blanket is quality wool.”
“Thin,” Noelle repeated, narrowing her eyes. “I thought they wanted us at our best for the tournament. This looks like they’re trying to make us suffer—to catch us at our weakest.” She crossed to the window, peering out. “I doubt Meru’s competitors are living in such squalor.”
“All the buildings looked identical,” Alyss mused. “The attendant mentioned something about merits and privileges.”
“My existence is merit enough to have more privilege than this.” Noelle motioned in exaggerated disgust. Alyss let out a chuckle and Noelle cracked a smile as well. Eira tried to mirror the expression, but found she couldn’t. Her mind was elsewhere.
Eira’s focus kept returning to the all-too-familiar trunk positioned at the foot of the right bunk—next to hers. Carefully monogrammed onto its front were the letters C.D., framed by two feathered wings atop fanned wheat. Cullen’s signet.
“Where do you think Cullen is?” she asked softly. The air in the room was instantly heavier.
“His father no doubt is keeping him.” Noelle rolled her eyes.
“Maybe he’s downstairs and we just didn’t hear him come in.” Alyss’s tone betrayed how she didn’t quite believe her own words.
“I’ll go check.” Eira turned. “If not, I’ll wait for him. I want to have a word with him before this all begins.”
“Wait.” Alyss stopped her. “Do you want us to be there when you speak with him?”
Eira genuinely considered it. Their help and support were like a warm blanket. After their talk in the carriage, Eira knew that they were still on her side, no matter what. But she ultimately shook her head. “I think it’s likely best if I talk to him one-on-one. I don’t want him to feel like we’re coming for him as a group.”
“Maybe that’s exactly what we should do. Alyss can take his arms and you hold down his legs. Less chance of me burning whatever little bit of manhood he has when I immolate all his smallclothes if he’s not squirming around like the worm he’s been.”
The thought brought out a bitter laugh from Eira. “Remind me never to piss you off?”
“I wouldn’t advise it.” Noelle smirked.
“You’resureyou’ll be all right?” Alyss remained serious.
“If I’m not, you’ll be the first to hear about it,” Eira promised. “But yes, I’ll be fine. I had time in the carriage to sort through my thoughts; I can’t avoid him forever, especially in such close confines.” Eira motioned to the room. There was little place for the imagination to hide in the open space. “Plus, we need him for the tournament and to fight Ulvarth.”
“Don’t worry about this,” Noelle said, gesturing around. “I have some ideas.”
“Ideas for what?” Alyss asked.
“You’ll find out after the opening ceremonies because I’m going to need your help. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves now. We need to finish getting ready. Looks this good take time.”
“Please don’t break into his chest and burn all his smallclothes without me,” Eira said, starting down the stairs.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Noelle called back.
“Shout if you need us!” Alyss chimed.
Every step was harder to take than the last. But somehow she made it down the stairs far too quickly. She needed more time to sit with everything. Even if she knew, logically, what had to be done, her heart was playing catchup. How was she supposed to just smile and make nice with only a few hours to come to terms with it all? Act like nothing had happened? Act like her heart wasn’t a bloody mess still, half-beating, wounded, torn apart into pieces that each ached worse than the last? Act like some of those pieces didn’t still love him…as if to spite her.
