Those are the rules, and I shall follow them to the letter.
Right. The launderette. I remember seeing a sign for the launderette somewhere but can’t figure out exactly where it is in relation to where I am now.
“North tower, Room 104,” the House Master grumbles.
I don’t bother thanking him as I turn and walk away.
The lavender-lacedsteam in the long room reminds me of the soap I used to use back when I lived with Aunt Marjory. I set the basket of laundry next to the others in a line and then flag down a woman to ask for a new uniform.
She takes one look at me and mutters under her breath about clumsy children even though she doesn’t appear much older than me. They keep the uniforms in a locked closet near the rear. She goes to hand me a stack like the one issued yesterday but then pulls back. “I’ll need that one first. It’ll have to be cleaned and repaired.”
This is where I draw the line. I’m tired, sore, mortified, and heartbroken. The last thing I need is this woman’s judgmental stare.
“I’m not stripping bare here.” There are men hanging sheets on the clotheslines right next to the women at the sewing machines, for stars’ sake.
The woman groans. “Fine. Just bring it back after you change.”
Why does it matter? It’s one bloody uniform. They have an entire cabinet full of them.
What if I fall again and need another replacement? That would mean two strikes. With no prospects and no way to reclaim my aunt’s tower, I can’t afford to lose this job.
Although I promise to return the uniform, I have no intention of doing so.
Instead, I change in my room and bring the soiled garment to the bathing room to wash it myself. If I get my hands on a needle and some thread, I can sew the small tears, and it’ll be good as new.
If only my broken heart was as easy to mend.
Twenty-Two
ALLETTE
THEN
Senan will be back today,and I can hardly contain my excitement.
Wynn drags a comb through my unruly waves, yanking my head in the process. This is my punishment for going flying earlier without tying it back. I had planned on sleeping in so I would look well rested for when the prince arrives but instead woke at the crack of bloody dawn.
Her black mask slides down from where it rests on her forehead, but she shoves it back into place. Her gaze catches mine in the mirror’s reflection. “What’s gotten into you? You can barely sit still.”
How I wish I could tell my closest friend about Senan. I almost did after that realm-shattering kiss last week but ultimately decided against it. This beautiful secret is one I want to keep for myself. For now, at least. I grab the pot of rouge, smearing my finger into the coral paste. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” With a few careful swipes, my cheekbones appear dewy and flushed.
From her suspicious hum, it’s clear she doesn’t believe me. What I need is a suitable distraction. “How is your mother?”
“She is mending quickly, thank the stars.”
Wynn’s mother works in our kitchens and makes the most glorious cheesecakes. A few weeks back, she slipped on a wet patch and caught herself on the edge of the hot stove. Burned her poor hand right up. Wynn has been so worried about her.
“That is wonderful news. Please tell her I was asking for her.”
Wynn bobs her head. “I will of course.” She trades the comb for a sapphire hair clip that used to belong to my mother. A few careful twists later, the front of my hair has been pulled back from my face, held in place by the shimmering clip.
Smiling, Wynn braces her hands on the shoulders of my teal gown. When I asked her to help me change into this after lunch, I thought she’d lose her life. I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t need someone to tie the laces at the back of the bodice. The stiff boning makes it almost impossible to breathe, but my waist has never looked as small.
Dresses aren’t practical for flying, so I rarely wear them. The fact that I have chosen this outfit today has already drawn far too much suspicion from my friend.
“You look like a princess,” she whispers.
If only that were true. If I had been born a princess, then perhaps there would be some hope of this crush going somewhere besides down in flames. Alas, my lot in life has been set. This time with Senan is only a reprieve from what is sure to be a very long and unhappy life with some terrible man who isn’t him.