Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 123190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
I snatch my bread from my plate and nod to him. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
As I head for the stairs, I hear them murmuring behind me and shortly after, I sense someone following. A glance over my shoulder confirms Remme’s a few steps behind. He gives me an apologetic wave, but I’m just glad it’s not Skylar. I want a few minutes alone.
Chapter Eleven
Jasalyn
OUR BUNK ROOM IS TRULY that—a room with a sturdy, utilitarian metal bunk and enough space to walk along one side of it. There is a small window on the far wall. Whether that’s luck or Remme watching out for me I can’t be sure, but I’m grateful.
A candle flickers in the wall sconce, and shadows dance on the ceiling.
My mattress is hard as a rock. Not that it matters. I have other things to do tonight than enjoy a restful sleep.
“You’re acting weird,” Skylar says.
I’m lying on my back in the top bunk, waiting for her to get in bed before I slip on my ring and head downstairs to see what else I can learn about the rebel forces gathered in the dining room. I don’t want to wait too long, since I’m not sure how late they’ll stay, but I would prefer to keep it simple and wait until Skylar falls asleep. Not because she’d remember but because her fawning over the Enchanting Lady would be awkward in the morning. For me at least. “I’m just tired.”
She grunts and the bunks sway as she throws herself onto her mattress. “Nah. That isn’t tired. That’s pissed.”
“Why wouldn’t I be? I’m trying to sleep and my roommate keeps talking.”
“You sure it has nothing to do with those piece of shit faeries downstairs who want to destroy your pretty sister?”
I sigh. “Don’t try to bait me, Skylar. I’m not in the mood.”
“Fine.” The bunks shift again, as if she’s rolling to her side.
Her breathing turns softer, and I’m about to reach for my ring when she says, “He cares about you, but he can’t have you.”
I freeze. “What?”
“The world is full of shit people, but Hale Kendrick is one of the good ones. Don’t make it hard for him when this is all over and he has to walk away from you.”
“I . . . We aren’t . . . He doesn’t . . .” I don’t know what to do about the nervous mass of butterflies staging a riot in my belly. “Did he say something to you?”
She snorts. Loudly. The guys can probably hear her in their room. “He doesn’t need to.”
I close my eyes. It’s so tempting to lose myself in thoughts of crushes and could-be love. To lose myself in thoughts of a future with a guy who was once the only piece of light in a world full of dark. But I’m not here for that. “I’m sure you’re mistaken,” I whisper.
“Even you aren’t that naïve,” she says. “You should consider yourself lucky. Most of us don’t get the attention of someone that good for even a moment. But I’m asking you to keep your distance. For his sake.”
“What about you? I haven’t missed the way you look at him.”
She’s quiet for a long time. “He’s not for me any more than he’s for you. The difference between us is that I’ve made my peace with that.”
I pull the ring from the pocket in my undergarments and roll it between my finger and thumb, losing myself in thoughts of Kendrick while I wait for her to fall asleep. She’s wrong. Of course she’s wrong. I have to believe it. Because it’s not like Kendrick wanting me would change anything. I still can’t have him. And even if I could, when this is all over, he’ll have to go home. To Elora. And I’ll be gone.
Only when I hear the buzz of Skylar’s soft snore do I slip on my ring and climb down from the top bunk.
“Where are you going?” Skylar asks, immediately alert.
“Nowhere. I’m still in bed, sleeping. You’re dreaming. Close your eyes.”
She does as I command, and I grab my cloak off the back of the door and slip it over my sleeping gown before taking the key from the dresser and stepping out into the hall.
It’s Natan who’s standing outside our rooms, not Kendrick, and I shove down the tangle of emotion that tries to shove its way into my cold heart. I don’t know if I’m disappointed or relieved, and I don’t want to look at anything I’m feeling too closely. Because it doesn’t matter.
Natan’s eyes are bright as he looks me over. “I think I might love you,” he whispers, pressing his palm to his chest.
I press my finger to my lips. “Shh. I have to go. You never saw me.”
He nods. “Okay. May I come with you?” he asks, voice softer now.