“What is it?”
“A question I cannot ask in my own hand.”
“That explains very little.”
“Cosima will understand it.”
“And will she answer?”
“If she chooses to stop punishing herself for wanting the wrong future.”
I stared at Juno.
“Are we discussing Cosima or me?”
“Perhaps both.”
“Deeply annoying answer.”
I took the page.
“Why Cosima?”
“Because she knows the language they will use before they use it.”
“Quill.”
“Quill. Linden. The Council. All of them.”
“And if she refuses to help?”
Juno opened the chamber door and listened before she answered.
“Then ask her whether she would like to watch the Council finish turning Caspian into his father.”
That was the first cruel thing I had ever heard Juno say about Cosima.
I put the folded page inside my coat, beside the apple.
“Do I go now?”
“No. Tonight you go back to your room. No Kieran. No Caspian. No Hale. Not even Reverie LeJoi.”
“Is there anyone I am allowed to seek?”
“Sleep.”
“Unlikely to be available.”
“Try anyway.”
She stepped aside.
I paused at the threshold.
“Juno?”
“Astra.”
