With that, she pivoted and headed inside, forcing me to follow with the bags. I watched in disbelief as she took off her cloak, hung it on a hook, kicked off her boots, and then walked over to my ice box. “Please tell me they gave you some form of cheese this time.”
“Pretty sure the one time I didn’t get cheese was due to your…friendeating all of it before she got here.” Desi shrugged, smiling as she dug through the icebox.
Sliding off my boots, I put them neatly next to Nova’s, hanging my cloak beside hers as well. Guilt racked through me as I thought about the fact she mourned someone who still lived. Walking as quietly as I could, I made my way to the bathroom and pressed my ear to the door. Water gushed into the tub, sounding like a waterfall as it poured, but no other sound came.
“Spying?” Desi whispered in my ear, causing me to slam my head into the door. The two of us ran to the sofa, sitting down just in time for Nova to open the door, a thick towel wrapped around her and her curls clinging to her damp skin. Her scowl deepened as she looked at us, her head cocking to the side.
“Remember that one time I—”
“Ripped off my towel with your magic? Hard to forget. Who knocked? Did you need inside?”
Completely unfazed by Desi’s presence at my side, I placed my chin in my hand, smirking at Nova. “Are you inviting me into the bath with you, Little Void?”
“Maybe you can take one withDesiwhen I’m done.” Not waiting for a response, she turned around and shut the door, the click of the lock loud in my ears.
“I wonder if it will help for her to know I threw up the one and only time I ever sucked a man’s cock.”
“Desi, what on Dajahim has you in such an annoyingly chipper mood and why does it mean you have to ruin my day?”
“Myfriendwrote to me. She’s safe and well.”
Well at least she had reason then. I smiled, offering her a quick tap to her arm. “That’s great news. I hope she gets back soon so we can avoid more heartbreak than necessary.”
“That reminds me, she also wants me to mess with you a bit. My goals today are matchmaking and day-ruining. How am I doing so far?”
Chuckling, I shoved my palm into her face, forcing her back. She fell, laughing too. Life almost seemed easy whenever I stepped into the sanctuary of these four walls. Even before Nova, there was peace in my cottage that even Celeste couldn’t seem to shake.
“You’re doing great. Report back that I’ll likely be celibate and unloved for the remainder of my days.” Dramatic? Sure. True? Probably.
“Oh, please. She’s so jealous she can’t even look at you for too long. That, my friend, is agoodsign. It means she wants you enough that she’s at theI won’t sharephase. When was the last time you two…you know…did it?”
“We haven’t done anything, sicko. And can you please talk about anything else?” Crossing my arms, I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. Behind my lids, Nova loomed.
“Sure. Want to see the clothes they got for you?”
“Ugh, not that either. Your benevolent commander is trying to kill us, by the way.”
“No she isn’t. We all have to do hard and dangerous things. You two aren’t special in that.”
“So she regularly sends rebels into the Naqi District?”
“Well, no, but—”
“Exactly.”
“You’ll be fine,” Desi said, swatting my arm. “Of all people, you’re the only one with a fighting chance. Even your stubborn brain has to see that.”
Frowning, I said, “What I see is a selfish, fanatic woman plotting my death.”
Desi sighed, scooting closer to me. “It’s okay to be scared, Az.”
“Of course I’m scared. From what I’ve gleaned, if Nova and I are caught, we’d be lucky to die. We’ll be tortured. Chained. Eventually forced to come kill all of you. Can you imagine how scary that is?” I pictured Nova, her wrists shackled. I thought of Father looming above her, touching the skin beneath her eyes and whispering to the stars.
I was going to throw up.
“No, I can’t. But I have a good feeling. From what I’ve heard, Nova is incredibly smart. And so are you. You’ll both be fine.”
“Keep convincing yourself that, Desi.” I slid further into the side cushion, needing space from her relentless optimism. Desi let out another hearty exhale, tapping my leg.
