Never mind that person is Dorian Ariko, wanted fugitive, man I’ve been sent to kill.
We walk in silence, with Dorian exclaiming now and then about bright colors, swirling doorways, all manner of things I can’t see. Each time he tries to wander off, I squeeze his hand and ask him to stay with me.
We’re just a few blocks from the church when the effects of the intoxicants reach a new level. He stops, turns me to face him, and spins me in a circle like he did on the dance floor. Just like he did then, he finishes the twirl by pulling me in close. I gasp as my chest collides with his. Not knowing what to do with my hands, I place them at his shoulders while his wrap around my back.
“I liked dancing with you tonight,” he whispers.
I angle my head to meet his eyes, finding them still glazed and crinkled at the corners. Still very much unlike the serious version of him.
When I say nothing, he adds, “Did you?”
“I did.” Shock washes over me as I realize my answer must hold truth. I must still have Starshine influencing my loose tongue.
“We should do it again.” His gaze is intent on mine, and I think I see desire swimming in his eyes. Not real desire, of course, but the product of hallucination. At this point, he probably doesn’t even remember who I am.
Which means this would be the perfect moment to kiss him…
His smile slips, and his expression turns somber, much like it did when he looked at the stars. “I haven’t let myself have fun in a really long time.”
I frown, not quite sure what to say in reply. Finally, I settle on, “Why not?”
He shakes his head, eyes distant. “I don’t deserve to have fun, yet I go out every night, jeopardizing the chance I have to make things right. Not for me. Nothing can be right for me. But forthem.”
My brows knit together. I’m surprised by his grave countenance. That’s not normally an effect of either Honey Pyrus or Starshine. I find myself desperate to understand what he’s saying. “What are you talking about?”
His lips curl in a weak smile. “My sisters. I’m all they have left since she…”
I hold my breath, waiting for him to finish, but he doesn’t. My question flies off my tongue before I can stop myself. “Who isshe?”
He meets my eyes. “Mother. She died a few months back.”
Without another word, he turns away and continues walking.
* * *
He’sunsteady on his feet when we reach the church. I guide us to the alleyway door, closing it as quietly as I can behind us. “You need to get back to your room,” I whisper.
He nods, but the motion seems to jar him. With a wince, he careens to the side. I brace my hands against his ribs to steady him. “Why is the room spinning?” he asks, voice too loud for the dead quiet of the hall.
“Keep your voice down,” I say in a furious whisper. “Unless the brotherhood finds it totally acceptable for you to come home inebriated. If that’s the case, I’m done helping you for the night.”
That seems to sober him a little, and his eyes flash with panic. “No, do not let them find me.”
“Then get back to your room and be quiet about it.”
“All right,” he says and takes a faltering step. Once again, I try to catch him before he slams into the wall. “What’s happening? My mind feels clear but my body…this hasn’t happened before.”
I highly doubt his mind feels clear at all, and soon he’ll fall under the illusion of innumerable horrors if he doesn’t get to sleep. “Fine, I’ll help you. You have to lead the way, though.”
“I don’t need help. I’m of the Order of Strength.” His words end in a chuckle, and he allows me to prop my arm around his waist, the other on his chest. I ignore how intimate this kind of touch would be in any other situation.
Our progress is slow as he takes heavy, shuffling steps, leading us into the garden and through the door I saw him come out of just hours ago. On the other side is a hallway I’ve never seen before. It’s dark and dim and lined with doors. “Initiates’ quarters,” he whispers.
We pass the doors and make our way to the end of the corridor that ends in—I gulp—stairs. There’s no way Dorian can make it down a set of stairs in his condition. “Your room is down there?”
He nods.
Shells. This isn’t going to be easy.
