“You did what you had to.” He raised a brow and looked me right in the eye. “What Itoldyou to do.”
I nodded but didn’t feel any better. “Still, I’d prefer if you stopped doing wildly reckless nonsense so I can stop having to save your ass.”
He smiled, a real and genuine smile. “I’m not intentionally doing wildly reckless nonsense, you know. It’s the Trials.”
“Right. The all-knowing wicked gods.”
“It still surprises me to hear you talk about them like that,” he spoke, his voice low. Dante’s smile faltered.
“Sorry to disappoint.”
“It isn’t a disappointment. It’s refreshing. Real. I’m used to everyone around here walking on eggshells like the gods might smite us all any minute. You’re not like that. It’s new.”
I smiled slightly and nodded.
We stared at one another for a moment in silence. We hadn’t had the time to discuss all he’d confessed in the Trial, but it felt irresponsible to ignore it any longer.
“I’m not your responsibility, Dante,” I told him, making sure to meet his gaze and lower my tone so he knew I meant it. “We’re partners. Equals. If we’re going to get through more of these insane Trials, it’s important that you understand that.”
He frowned and studied me closely for a moment, then nodded.
With that settled, I pushed the breakfast cart back from the bed and stood. I looked down at the clothes I now wore. Someone had changed me. I wasn’t sure who or when but I definitely hadn’t been wearing this garish green nightgown when I’d passed out. I looked up at Dante with a raised brow.
“Bria said you needed to be comfortable while you rested,” he told me. “I offered to let you sleep naked in my bed but my mother didn’t appreciate that suggestion.”
I barked out a laugh and he smirked at me as I shook my head and crossed the room to his closet. I started sifting through his things, looking for anything that might not completely dwarf me if I put it on. I didn’t want to walk all the way back to my room before I left but it was looking more and more like I would have to as I passed giant shirt after giant shirt.
“Where are you going?”
I looked his way to find him leaning against the door, watching me. He wasn’t concerned in the slightest about me rifling through his things. He must’ve heard me thinking about leaving. I turned back to my search as I answered with a frown.
“Cyrus.”
“Adrian—”
“I have to try.”
“Healing me nearly killed you. You need more rest.”
“He needs me, Dante.”
You mean she,he chided in my mind. I winced, but since someone was rattling the locked doorknob in an attempt to get into the room, he only said aloud, “Good luck, Adrian,”
Then he strode away from the closet and opened the door, letting in a frazzled Bria before vanishing into the hall beyond. She came with an assortment of clothes, thankfully. I selected a pair of jeans and a green tank without answering the questions in her gaze. Then I informed her I was leaving and swept from the room before she could object.
I made my way out of the estate and toward the gates. I descended to the Second Ring as easily as always. Though, this time, I noticed more gawking than usual. Adults whispered and pointed, children gaped, the guards smiled at me. One even called me ‘ma’am’. News spread fast. Although, I suppose Danteand I had been recovering for five days. This was the first time anyone saw either of us out and about since we'd stumbled out of the tunnel.
I ignored the attention and made my way to Cyrus’s house. His mother opened the door on my second knock. She smiled when she recognized me.
“Adrian,” she welcomed happily. “I believe congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you.” I stepped inside when she gestured and made way. “I just thought I’d stop in to visit Cyrus.”
“That’s so kind of you, dear,” she said, already leading me down the hall toward his room.
“Is Dahlia here?”
“Yes, of course. She’s been with him all morning. Hasn’t left his side once, as always.”
