Twenty-eight days...
Reaching Echo’s office, I push those thoughts down. As Jace and I step inside, he closes the door behind us.
Echo takes the six steps needed to reach the other side of her desk. There are quite a few closets bigger than this, but the captain of my Royal Guard doesn’t believe in any sort of excess. The only things in here are that desk, a single chair on both sides, and a well stocked mini fridge. Which is why my eyes snag on the back of a picture frame.
That wasn’t sitting on her desk when Jace and I trained under her. Nor did I see it a couple months back, the last time I was here. I glance at Jace to see if he knew about it, but his eyes are fastened on it with great interest. Knowing him, he’ll find a way to knock it over before the meeting is done. Knowing Echo, she’ll cut out his eyes before he can look.
As Jace leans against the wall beside the door, I take a seat in the single chair across from Echo. My eyes drop to the picture frame. The urge to reach over and turn it around makes my fingers twitch.
But the memories of her punishments when I was under her tutelage keep my arms by my sides.
“What do you want to drink?” Echo asks.
“I’ll take a water,” I say, pulling my gaze away from the frame. “Is Fabia allowed a coffee?” She isn’t my biggest fan, and perhaps this will help sway her into not wanting to kill me again.
“No.”
I nod.
“I’m good,” Jace says.
Echo looks at him, a bottle of water in one hand, a sofila tea in the other. The fridge door stands open, thecoldrunes etched inside glowing a soft blue.
A moment of silence drags its nails into the floor, kicking and screaming. I shift awkwardly in my seat. The old fairy ways of hospitality are clear – visitors get something to drink; it doesn’t matter if they want it or not.
“Sorry, I’ll, uh…” Jace clears his throat. “I’ll take a water too. Do you want me to get it or –”
She tosses the bottle of water to him, then bends down to pick up another one. Straightening, she kicks the door shut. I hold out my hand a second before she reaches me (not too early to rush her, not too late to leave her waiting), and she places my drink in my hand.
“Thank you,” Jace and I both say. I pop off the cork, then bring the bottle to my lips. I’m not particularly thirsty, but I take a good chug under Echo’s eye. To waste anything is to suffer a beating.
Reminding myself I’m king now, I lower the bottle from my lips.
The door bursts open a second later. I turn to see Fabia marching in, mad as all hel. “What the fuck did you drag me out of fucking bed for?” she snaps at me.
Jace grabs her arm and pulls her back against him.
“Get the fuck off me, you fucking oaf. Do I look like I’m fucking stupid enough to fucking deck the fucker in front of Echo?”
I nod for him to release her, and he does so with a smile. She pulls away from him, her eyes still hard on mine.
“Sit,” I say.
“Where?”
Realising Echo has the only other chair, I stand.
Fabia’s eyes narrow. Then she snorts. “You had her too, huh?”
“Yes,” Jace answers.
“So despite knowing how fucking rare a fucking good night’s sleep is, you fucking woke me anyway.
“Uh…”
“It’s about Arienna,” I cut in. “Now sit.”
“Do you need me here?” Echo asks.
