Page 92 of The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy

“His anonymity is nonnegotiable,” said Xanthe.

“Well, pass along our thanks,” said Dinadan. “He’s done a lot of good.”

There were nods around the table. Aurienne held back a smile.

He really had.

With all that was goingon at Swanstone, Aurienne hoped that Cath and Élodie would forget what they had seen in the toilet at the asylum and also never speak to her again.

A vain hope, obviously. Aurienne successfully dodged them for a few days, until they caught her in the cafeteria. First she saw Élodie beelining towards her from one end of the corridor. Like a coward, she fled, abandoning her tray and dashing in the opposite direction.

Cath appeared at the other end of the corridor.

“Bollocks,” said Aurienne.

Cath and Élodie advanced on Aurienne like twin steamrollers. Apprentices flung themselves out of the way. Haelan dived for safety. The cries of widows rent the air. Aurienne was forced back into her seat, compressed by Cath on her left and Élodie on her right.

“So,” said Cath.

“What’s going on between you and Tit Wank Man?” asked Élodie.

“Nothing,” said Aurienne.

“We literally saw you kiss him,” said Cath.

“Hekissedme,” said Aurienne.

“How long have you been seeing each other?”

“We’re not. That wouldn’t be—appropriate,” said Aurienne. “We have a close working relationship, that’s all.”

“Very close,” said Cath. “A bit of tongue involved.”

“He’s pretty,” said Élodie.

“A magnifico,” said Cath.

“A voice not unpleasing,” said Élodie.

“As far as informants go, the best looking I’ve seen,” said Cath. “Who is he?”

“I can’t tell you,” said Aurienne. “I can’t talk about him. And Icannothave feelings for him.”

Aurienne hadn’t expected her voice to break, but it did. She dropped her face into her hands.

Cath and Élodie exchanged looks. They ceased their teasing and grew serious.

“Are we to take it you do have feelings for him?” asked Cath.

A tortured groan was Aurienne’s answer.

“Once all this is over, he’ll be just another person, won’t he?” asked Élodie. “When he’s no longer an informant. You’re allowed to have feelings, you know.”

“The issue isn’t love—well, it is—but it’s also specificallyhim. Butthere’s goodness in him. It wants hauling up, but it’s there. He’s proven it several times.”

“Then?”

“He’s—not allowed. He’s forbidden.”