“I can’t—” I rasp, clutching at my ribs. A half-lie is what I need. It will pass Jarrett’s scrutiny. It has to. “The corset. It’s wrong for humans. I need it off. Now. I can’t breathe.”
That does it.
Toriben swears under his breath, scoops me up, and turns for the medical wing at a run.
I go rigid at his hands touching me. But Toriben is not Vorak. And I need him to get me away from everyone’s eyes.
"Clear the way," he snaps to anyone who moves.
He carries me into a small medical room. The doors seal behind us.
Privacy. Blessed, sudden privacy. Almost.
I’m still coughing.
Toriben sets me down and tears open the corset like he’s executing something.
The pressure releases in a rush, and I gasp, air flooding back into my lungs. I’m torn between blessed relief and absolute fury at him for touching me. For ripping off part of my clothing. Like he’s Vorak. I stare at him with every ounce of hatred I’ve saved up for Xytheos.
At first, he’s completely unapologetic. “Humans can die quickly without air,” he says. “Even Xytheos warriors can die quickly without air.”
“You touched me!” I hiss.
His face drops as he takes in my torn corset, my general disarray. My anger. He kneels. “I will report to the High Lord for punishment.”
“No,” I say quickly, knowing that if he does that, Jarrett will want details. He’ll figure it out. Jarrett knows too much already, and he has the advantage of being in mymind.
Toriben looks unsure. “Violations must be reported.”
I almost feel bad for him. In the past minute or so, he’s spoken more words than he has in weeks. I wasn’t even sure he could speak more than a word or two at a time. The anger drains out of me, and the calculation creeps in.
“I give you permission. Only under these circumstances. What you did was right. Not a violation,” I say, hoping he’ll fall for my plan. I have no idea what kind of permission I can give anyone here. “If this happens again when Jarrett isn’t present, you bring me somewhere private. Like this room. Immediately. We’ll tell no one else.”
He hesitates.
“We don’t need to tell Jarrett as long as I recover quickly,” I add. “And I’ll recover faster if I’m left alone. Just for a few minutes.”
Another pause. Then he nods once and steps back.
“I’ll give you a few minutes,” he says. “That’s all.”
He leaves.
The moment the door seals, I reach out again. Just for a breath. Just long enough.
Dana.
White sand. Wind. Her shadow stretched long and sharp across the ground.
I give her Elena’s message, feeling like I’ll need to perform this dangerous dance time after time to help all of my Starfallen sisters.
When Toriben returns, I’m seated, breathing evenly, every trace of weakness locked back behind my ribs. He scans me, the relief and wariness on his face evident. He's the only guard who's ever touched me without Jarrett's permission. By the look on Toriben’s face, we’re walking a very fine line.
I have to hope Dana makes this worth it.
CHAPTER 41
LET THEM COME
