“Should?”
Blinking one eye first, then the other, he shrugs. “The odds are far better than zero. Because that is what you have if you don’t take anything.”
“How do I get my hands on the antidote?”
“I can get it.” His lips crack when he grins. “But first, you have to let me out.”
Thirty-Four
ALLETTE
Today isour first day off and I honestly wish we had work to do. I would’ve gone to the House Master to ask for an assignment if it weren’t for Braith spending the night in my room. I barely got any sleep in the tiny bed but didn’t have the heart to kick her out.
Hopefully Senan didn’t forget my request to free Jeston. With the state I left him in last night, there is no telling what time he woke this morning.
After a quick shower, Braith and I go to breakfast together. The dining hall is full of the normal chatter, but our table remains silent. The spot where Jeston usually sits is empty.
I can’t bring myself to attend lunch, choosing instead to spend the rest of the afternoon trying to get the stains out of the uniform I kept. When the dinner bell rings, my hollow stomach won’t let me skip another meal. Down the hall, I catch a glimpse of Braith exiting her room as well. My guilt over this entire situation grows like a vicious weed, overtaking everything else. I wrap my arms around her thin frame. Perhaps Senan did forget my visit after all. Perhaps he’ll listen today. I’ll make the trek to the twentieth floor a hundred times if I must.
Hand in hand, we enter the canteen. No one seems to pay us attention as we collect plates of chicken, lumpy mashed potatoes, and wilted broccoli. When we take our seats, Mari and Del glance our way, their pinched expressions matching our own. As soon as I finish eating, I’m going straight to Senan’s room and begging him to?—
“Why the long faces?”
How strange. I could’ve sworn I heard Jeston’s voice.
Braith’s head snaps up. Sure enough, Jeston is there, a crooked smile on his cracked lips and his eye black and swollen.
“Jeston!” Braith launches to her feet and throws herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing tight.
Jeston stumbles back with a gruff laugh. “Easy, Braith.” He pats my friend’s back. “My side is a bit tender.”
He’s back. I can’t believe he’s really back.
Mari and Del’s hugs aren’t quite as exuberant. I don’t know whether to hug him or not. I’m relieved he is all right, but we aren’t that close. From over their heads, Jeston’s gaze finds mine, and he nods his chin in silent thanks. I nod back, and that is that, all is forgiven.
Braith rushes over to where the food is being served, collecting a plate for Jeston while he settles into his place, putting the world to rights. Although Jeston thanks Braith when she sets the plate in front of him, he doesn’t meet her hopeful gaze. If it weren’t for Mari and Del pinning Jeston in, I’ve no doubt Braith would’ve been glued to his side for the remainder of the meal—and maybe even the night.
Braith’s smile falters as she sinks down next to me, and I give her knee a reassuring squeeze.
You’d swear Jeston hasn’t eaten in days from the way he shovels food into his mouth.
“Well?” Del nudges him with her elbow. “Tell us all about the pit. Is it as awful as everyone says?”
Jeston’s hand trembles as he reaches for his glass of water. “Worse.”
We all wait for more details, but he doesn’t explain further. Is it any wonder? Why would he want to relive such a traumatic experience?
Mari props both elbows onto the table, resting her chin in her hands. “How’d you get out?”
Jeston’s eyes dart to mine, then back to his dinner. He scoops a forkful of mashed potatoes into his mouth and mutters, “Prince Senan himself ordered my release.”
Everyone at the table starts talking at once.
Everyone but me.
Senan came through for me after all. I shouldn’t be so happy. It’s not as if this changes the future. Still, knowing the prince was willing to rectify this makes my broken heart soar. I should probably thank him, shouldn’t I? That would be the right thing to do.
Del pokes holes in what is left of her potatoes with her fork, sighing wistfully at the stalactites on the ceiling. “I know we’re meant to hate the prince after what he did, but I can understand why all the women swoon over him. He really is quite dark and dashing.”