Aspen, bless her, said nothing.
When they reached the barracks, they went their separate ways to shower and sleep. Daisy, as usual, was waiting up for him, reading a book that she’d purchased from one of the Yule vendors. It was ancient and missing half its pages, but that was all she could afford. Unlike many of the other guards, she did have remainingfamily. She sent most of her earnings to her cousin, who had three children of her own. Des worried they were taking advantage of her and had started putting part of his own salary aside for her. When she got out of here next year—and Des was confident she’d leave at eighteen, if only to be with family—she’d have something to show for it.
“Not tonight, Daisy,” he said as he collapsed on his bunk. Just a few hours ago he’d been feeling optimistic about his life. Well, not optimistic. But close enough. Now he felt tired and out of sorts, and he wanted to close his eyes and not replay the sound of Aurelie’s laugh in his mind.
“Of course tonight,” she said, settling down so her feet were next to his head.
“You stink,” he told her.
“So do you.”
He arched an eyebrow but said nothing.
“Heard you went to the university with Aspen.”
He sat up on his elbows. “When you say you ‘heard,’ what does that mean exactly?”
“Fine. I asked the duty officer where you were.”
He collapsed back again. “And?”
“And I was wondering if you saw our friend.”
Des sighed heavily. “She’s not our friend, Daisy. Which reminds me, why isn’t she in jail where she belongs? I thought you were going to turn the sketch over to Commander Yew.”
Daisy at least had the decency to look chastened. “Iwasgoing to. But then I got a letter from her...”
“What letter?”
She sat up, pulled something out of her pocket, and dropped it in Des’s lap.
He stared down at a folded piece of ivory-colored parchment. “What is that?”
“I already told you what it is.”
“She actually wrote to you?”
Daisy nodded, looking mighty smug for someone with two short pigtails sticking off her head like turnip greens. “She wanted to thank me for all my help last month. She has excellent penmanship.”
Des kept his hands at his sides, avoiding the paper that rested in his lap like a live grenade.
“Go on. Read it. She mentions you.” Daisy waggled her eyebrows as she said it.
He would never admit that he was curious. “Not sure why you think I care.”
Daisy sighed and snatched the paper out of his lap. “?‘Dear Daisy.’ That’s right, she called medear. Like I said. Friend.” She cleared her throat. “?‘I wanted to thank you for your help during what was a rather difficult week. I realize that someone of your rank and capability has far more important duties than escorting a university student around the city, and it touched me deeply that you went through such an effort to keep me safe.’?”
Des made a gagging sound. “Aciano’s beard, is she long-winded. I’ve never heard such a wordy—”
“I’m not finished. Ahem. ‘To be honest, I’ve never given much thought to the Iron Guard. Living on campus as I do, we rarely see your work, and what encounters I’ve had have given me a rather different impression of your fellow guards. Frankly, I expectedthem all to be of Lieutenant Whitlow’s character. Imagine my delighted surprise, then, to meet someone as kind, intelligent, and thoughtful as yourself.’?”
Des reached for the paper. “She did not say that.”
Daisy managed to evade him and continued reading. “?‘I understand that your work keeps you busy, but should you ever find yourself with a few free hours on a Monday afternoon, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would love to buy you a cup of tea, or perhaps a hot chocolate, as thanks. Yours, Aurelie.’?”
Daisy sighed and folded the note back up. “Isn’t that the most beautiful letter you’ve ever heard?”
“It’s a load of absolute bollocks.”