I did.
“Would it be a good idea for me to at least look at this Architect?” I asked. “He’s been awake for over a week now, and I’m still drifting, waiting for something to happen. Should I go to The Rooster and thank him? He did kinda save me.”
Rowan shook his head. “He’s interrogating the staff and getting Hope set up to keep the place running. He’s tied up.” Rowan’s lips flattened into a line. “As far as meeting him. I won’t question the actions of the Architect.”
I blinked a few times. “That makes it sound like you don’t like something he’s doing.”
Rowan grunted, and the cone in the center of the room flickered with soft white. He refilled our cups and put his arm over my shoulder, pulling me close. I loved it.
“I think it’s time we exchanged some war stories,” Rowan said. “I have three brothers, two older and one younger. Being a middle child is where it’s at.”
I snorted. “Only child, and it sucked. I was my dad’s world. It wasn’t healthy.”
“No?” Rowan asked. “You don’t think a beautiful, powerful, smart daughter should be the center of a father’s universe?”
My heart raced with his compliments, but at the same time, my shoulders fell. “Family’s very complicated. And I’m not any of those things.”
Rowan kissed the top of my head. “You are all of them, Q-tip, and more. And we’re going to sit on this couch and drink until you believe it.”
Chapter 9
Alexander
WithQuinn’sneedtogo to The Rooster gone, my wait for her at my table became painfully fruitless. She bounced around my castle for her activities and mainly ate cold food, which did not make her happy. It was a puzzle. One I intended to solve.
I gave her a few days before setting up a ‘chance’ meeting as she exited her work on the train.
“Are you stalking me?” Quinn asked. Although humor filled her voice, fear curled in her stomach.
I put my hands up. “You caught me. I enjoyed our conversation the other day and wanted it to happen again.”
Her fear didn’t ease.
“Ezra mentioned your train work-study, so I took a guess.” I didn’t lower my hands. “I will leave right now and never bother you again if you want. You have Ezra’s word on that. He’d cut my balls if he thought I was stalking anyone.”
Quinn laughed, and her fear finally dissipated. “I think he really would… at least until the Architect finally judges me as worthy or not.”
I jerked back. “What?”
Quinn waved me off. “I’m just bitter, and Ezra’s a good soldier.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. “Um, would you like to get breakfast?”
Quinn shook her head. “It’s my turn to pay, and I can’t do that yet.”
“Yet?” I raised an eyebrow.
Quinn grimaced. A patch of grime flaked on her cheek. “It’s a long story.”
I rubbed my neck, desperate to understand everything that just happened. “I’m all ears.”
Quinn pursed her lips. “Give me a minute to clean up? Meet me at the cannons?”
The cannons were too public.
“How about back here, the library?” I countered. “Romance is my favorite section.”
Quinn raised an eyebrow.
