I look up, registering Phaedra’s voice immediately, knowing exactly what the cause of her surprise is. I hold out my wrists, even though she clearly already saw.
“How?”
“Adrian,” I say simply.
The expression on her face is almost comical, but I don’t laugh. Nothing about this is funny. Besides, I feel bad for her. Her cuffs are still secured around her wrists. She looks like she has so many questions and she simply doesn’t know where to start.
“He uh… he trusts me. I think he may bring me back home. Eventually. Hopefully soon.”
Her brows scrunch as her confusion deepens.
I meet her gaze, trying to convey more meaning. “I want to go home,” I say. “I told him as much.”
Finally, her mouth parts with a look of understanding as she tilts her head back. I don’t dare admit more out loud, but she knows what I’ve been working toward. I can’t completely lie to her.
“Do you think maybe he could…”
“We can ask.” And we will. She deserves her freedom as well.
“Thank you,” she says, glancing at my wrists again in awe.
I offer her a soft smile before excusing myself to my room, eating the last few berries on the way.
As I plop the last one in my mouth and turn the corner to my hallway, I freeze.
“Adrian,” I say with a berry in my mouth.
“Elysande.” He smiles like he’s had a really good day, like he’s elated to see me.
“What are you—”
“Sorry to drop by your room unannounced. I’ve had a busy couple of days at the camp and I finally got a break to come see you.” He pauses and his eyes travel up and down my frame. “How have you been?”
I know exactly what he’s asking before his eyes fall to my wrists. “Good, thank you.”
“Use any magic?” he asks with a smirk. “Make your bath exactly how you like it?”
“Yeah. Pretty much that. It’s nice to have those small luxuries back.” I don’t give a shit about my stupid bath or my comfortability here, but I’ll let him believe I’m the spoiled princess he thinks I am. He didn’t look even slightly surprised to find me still here, so that tells me he either believes myact, or he has his people watching me and reporting on my happenings, which I’m almost certain is what he’s been doing.
He glances toward my door, then back at me as he smiles.
If he’s waiting for an invitation in, he’s not going to get it. I remain planted at the end of the hall, staring back at him from a safe distance.
“Can I… come in?”
Shit.
“I…”
“I won’t stay long. I just want to talk.”
“Um… okay.”
I tilt my head down and walk toward the door, open it, and let him in. I create a small distance away as I face him with my arms crossed.
My unease dissipates when I realize I have my magic back. I need to ease up just a little, or he could start getting suspicious of me again.
“What did you want to talk about?” I take a seat in a chair by the small vanity that I rarely use.
