“Swell.” I huff, dismounting the animal, the rest of our group following suit.
The man leads us around the outskirts of the city, picking the least busy streets he can find so we don’t have to walk single file, before dropping us off at a tall, terracotta building.
The stables weren’t hard to find, and neither were our rooms. Max, Millie, and Bennett split off to one while Will, the princess, and I took the other.
I wasted no time rushing off to the shower once we were settled. With the amount of dirt, sand, and grime sloughing off my skin, I’ve turned the water grey. My head hangs between my shoulders, and I watch as it circles down the drain.
I’m getting worse. Moreuncontrolled, and I’m afraid that if I’m wrong and she’s not here… I don’t know if I’ll be able to suppress the mists that much longer. Every time I feel myself returning to normal, Ezra’s beady blue eyes and stringy blonde hair show up, and the rage I’d just handled resurfaces more fiercely.
I’ve envisioned so many ways in which I’ll finish him. From making those eyes bulge out of his skull as he gasps for breath, to standing behind Eveera while I witness her eviscerate him with her tendrils.
Both scenarios are acceptable, and those are only a fraction of the ways I can see being satisfactory enough for me. But one thing is for sure – it will be slow. It will be worth it to watch him suffer for as long as he has held onto her.
I’ll make him rue the moment he decided to take off with the queen he’d sworn fealty to.
Steam billows off my skin, mimicking the smokestacks that consume Sabel’s rooftops, and I can hear Will rapping on the door. Muffled through the wood, I hear him shout for me to hurry it up before the water runs cold, throwing something in there about two other people needing a shower themselves.
For that reminder, I made them wait five more minutes.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
“Ror-in.” Will barks, while I towel off. He made the mistake of standing too close to the door because when I opened it, he stumbled forward.
“All yours.”
He gives me a dead stare and brushes past me, “thanks. Don’t kill her while I’m showering.” He calls out, and I toss him a mocking smile, shutting the door behind me.
Will was pleased to find the princess still alive once he dragged himself from the bathroom, throwing muttered apologies her direction. Pruella gives him a tight-lipped smile and leaves the rest of us to talk. Max sits stiffly, staring hard at her retreating. Millie scoots closer to him on the chaise to make room for Will to join us, and pulls on his sleeve to break his trance.
“Alright,” my hands clasp together loudly, my attention turning to the three of them. “I need the two of you to reach Felix and Armond – let them know where we are.”
Millie’s head bobs up and down, “we can do that.” She gives another tug on Max’s sleeve until he stands and starts to escort them out of the room, when she stops short in the doorway. “If I leave this room, will the three of you be fine?”
“What do you mean?” Will asks, and she sets a hand on her hip.
“I mean – once I step out of this door and shut it, the three of you won’t break out in a brawl with full intent to maim the other?”
Bennett smothers a laugh, which earns him a second hand on her opposite hip. “Cross our hearts, Mill– no go.”
She sighs and continues leading Max from the room.
“It’s probably best you don’t show your face anywhere near the city center or the Consulate until we have her.” Will pipes, settling himself into the cushions.
I give him a sidelong glance, but I know he’s right. “Okay, then you go with Max and Millie. Bennett and I will start the search.”
Bennett’s mouth opens, shifting uncomfortably in his seat, and I brace myself for a rebuttal. “Yes?”
“Ah, well, erm– you’re just forgetting something. Or rather someone.” He jabs his fingers towards the door behind me.
The princess.
“Right…” I hiss, dragging a hand through my hair, “okay, Will goes with Max, and drops the princess off with Millie–”
“Drops the princess where?” Her voice grates on my ears, and we all turn to find her standing, listening to the conversation.
“Will, please.” He gives me a curt nod and grabs hold of her elbow, “make sure Millie keeps her shielded.”
He hesitates for a moment, but eventually relents, leaving just Bennett and me behind.
