“That’s all we need. An even more pissed-off version of that girl,” I say. But it is odd to hear anything but utter deference to the vicar from Cindel.
“Yeah, probably best to give her space,” Saipha murmurs, starting toward the room.
“Already my plan,” I agree.
“Want to plan our strategy between now and the next test? Assuming it’s not tomorrow?” Saipha asks.
“I’m exhausted. Can we do it in the morning?” I say, starting for the stairs that lead up to my room.
“That works for me.” Saipha yawns, as if I’ve given her permission to be exhausted as well.
“I’ll meet you both on the fourth floor at first light,” Lucan says, splitting off at the second-floor landing. He pauses for a second,eyes meeting mine, steady and unguarded. For the first time ever, my heart skips a beat for a reason unrelated to dragons or Etherlight. My chest squeezes, and I’m breathless as I wait to see what he has to say next.
Dragon-burned hells, what’s happening to me?
“Good night, Isola,” he says after a tiny eternity.
A million unsaid words dance across my tongue. None escape. “Good night, Lucan,” is all I manage.
“And good night, Saipha,” he adds hastily.
She glances between us. “You too.”
I can’t get up the stairs fast enough. As if I could outrun Saipha and the question that I know is burning her tongue. But, of course, I can’t. Not when her room is right across the hall from mine.
With every other step, I scold myself: one day, one firm set of hands and soft eyes, and I’m twisting in knots for him. I’m better than being distracted by this. But, then, on the opposite steps, I suppress a smile. I fight a tiny giggle. He’s not what I thought he was, and maybe…maybe I like that? I’ve never given much thought to what I “like” in the ways of romance before. I always thought it’d find me if I was lucky. And maybe it has? But in Lucan of all people… And then it’s back to scolding myself…
“What was that?”The question explodes from her as we reach the top and are more than confidently out of Lucan’s earshot.
“What was what?” I try to play dumb.
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe him coming to check in on you earlier—because it certainly wasn’t for me. Or him chasing after you, after the vicar made you his living doll. Orthat lookyou two gave each other.” Saipha leans in, excitement shining in her eyes. “I thought you said you didn’t flirt with him to get him to ally with us?”
“I didn’t.” I look away, fighting a blush.
“Does he know that?”
“Saipha, it’s nothing.”
She repeats, “Does he know that?” I glare at her, and she just laughs. “Look, would I have expected you to pick the vicar’s son? No. But there are worse choices out there. Especially when he’s showing us by the day that he’s not as bad as we thought.”
She makes a fair point. But… “I can’t focus on that right now,” I murmur, trying to douse my own feelings. “I’m just trying to survive in here.”
“Yeah, yeah, we’re all trying to survive, Isola. Not just in here. But in general. To be alive is to survive. That’s why you’ve got to look for the things that make it worth living.”
I give my friend a smile. Small but sincere. “You know, for being obsessed with seeing what’s the biggest crossbow you can lift or how fast you can climb a wall, you’re pretty insightful.”
“Oh, I know.” Saipha turns to her room, a triumphant sway to her steps. “That’s why I’ll leave it be,for now.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re threatening me?”
“Because I am.” She winks and retreats for the night.
I smile after her. At how she can make even one of the worst days of my life bearable. Fun, even. At least for a second or two.
Because the moment I open the door to my room, my jaw drops, I freeze, and all other thoughts vanish as I meet a pair of all-too-familiar eyes.
“Come in and close the door,” Mum says.
