Enrique laughed. “I imagine we’ll figure it out day by day.”
Zofia liked that.
They had just settled into a comfortable silence when the compartment door opened once more, and Hypnos poked his head inside.
“I’m lonely,” he announced. “I am joining you.”
Enrique rolled his eyes. “What if I told you that you were interrupting?”
“Pleasemon cher, I never interrupt. I only complement or enhance, and in any case, it is notyourpermission I seek, it is our Phoenix’s.”
“I like when you’re here,” said Zofia.
Hypnos made her laugh. When the three of them were together, Zofia felt as if she were on steadier ground.
“You see?” said Hypnos, sticking his tongue out at Enrique before flopping onto the seat opposite them. Like Enrique’s, Zofia noticed that Hypnos’s gaze caught on her garnet ring.
“You know,” he said quietly. “I dream of her.”
Enrique looked at Zofia and then Hypnos. “We do too.”
Hypnos laughed a little, his eyes shining with tears. “I don’t know what I’ll do when I return… the Order is a mess. I have no desire to be part of it any longer.”
“Then don’t be,” said Zofia.
It seemed simple enough to her, but Hypnos only smiled.
“And do what with my life,ma chère?” he asked. “My lifestyle would hardly be considered economical, and while I enjoy a good languish, I would get bored without an occupation.”
“The Order of Babel still has their treasure… whether or not they’re Forged, they’re still powerful,” said Enrique, before adding, “and they never belonged to the Order in the first place. I amsure there would be work in returning such objects to their rightful owners and countries.”
Hypnos tilted his head. He looked pensive.
“Hm,” said Hypnos, regarding Enrique. “You know you’re far more than a pretty face. You’re rather clever too.”
“I’m glad you noticed,” said Enrique in a flat tone.
“Oh, I notice plenty,” said Hypnos, smiling as he looked from Enrique to Zofia.
The train lurched forward, and Hypnos turned to look at the partially opened compartment door. Zofia wondered where Séverin was.
He had barely spoken to them since they’d left Poveglia. In some ways, it reminded her of how he had acted after Tristan’s death. But this time, even in his silence, Séverin had made arrangements for them instead of disappearing. He had even reassured Enrique and Zofia that no matter what awaited them in Paris, they would always have a home and work in L’Eden.
“Has anyone seen him since we boarded?” asked Hypnos.
Zofia shook her head. As far as she knew, Séverin had made sure they knew where their seats were and then taken off to walk the compartments alone.
Enrique sighed. “I think out of all of us, he must feel the worst… I mean, he…”
“Loved her?”
Zofia’s head snapped up to see Séverin looking at them. His hands were in his pockets. His expression was inscrutable.
Beside her, Enrique blushed. “Séverin, I—”
“It’s the truth,” said Séverin. “It hurts, but,c’est la vie.”
Everyone stared at him in silence.
