“A pigsty would’ve been one hell of an upgrade.”
My spoon freezes as I realize how insensitive that was.
He snatches a piece of hard cheese, then scoots his chair back. “Anyway, I haven’t slept in a few days, so I’m gonna go hit the sack.”
I tilt my head up, guilt swarming me. “Slate . . . I didn’t mean . . . that wasn’t very nice of me.” I bite my bottom lip.
“Don’t sweat it, princess.” Saluting me, he grabs his coat and heads toward the bar where he taps the varnished wood.
He’s not seriously going to grab another drink? Hasn’t he had enough?
My sight of him becomes obstructed by a pair of pressed trousers. I trail the legs up to an unbuttoned vest worn over a dress shirt and catch the tail end of Adrien’s sentence.
“ . . . just wanted to check on you after thetalk.”
“Oh. Um. I’m okay. Shocked but okay.”
“Glad to hear it.”
I crane my neck to see beyond him. Slate’s no longer at the bar.
Adrien looks over his shoulder. “Did Roland just up and leave you?”
“He was tired.”
“Still, that’s not very chivalrous of him. Especially after everything he set in motion . . .” Adrien dips his freshly shaven chin into his neck.
I sigh. “I’m sure he regrets it more than anyone else. By the way”—I lean forward and whisper—“apparently he located one of the pieces. He’s not sure if it’s mine or his.”
Adrien’s hazel eyes widen. “And he went to retrieve it?”
“Not yet. Since we don’t know whose it is . . .”
He sits in the chair Slate vacated. “Is it in water or on land?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Charlotte frowning . . . or rather scowling, and even though it shouldn’t procure me any pleasure, it sort of does. She might not understand this now, but Adrien and I have more in common than the two of them ever will.
“It’s in the well.” I relish being the sole recipient of his attention.
His pupils dilate as he absorbs the information. “If there’s water in the well, it’s his. If the well’s dry, I’d imagine it’s yours. I’d check with Rainier, though.” He’s silent for a beat. “I can’t believe we’re really doing this.”
“I know.” Excitement and dread are going head-to-head inside me.
We’re going to bring magic back. Magic . . .
He reaches over and covers my hand with his, and my heart migrates right into my fingers.
Adrien Mercier is holding my hand.
In public.
“Cadence, I know this must all be very thrilling to you, but you need to remember that this isn’t a game.”
I pull my hand away. “Maman’s dead, so I’m very much aware that this isn’t a game.”
“Hey. Don’t get mad.”
“I’m not mad.”
