Page 47 of The Temptation of Roan Island

I grin at her imperious tone as I lean back and study her. “If I win, you’ll attend the new moon party with me. And if you win…”

“Take me to find my son.”

There’s a distant look in her eyes, like she’s worried or remembering something. She swallows and stares at the puzzle piece in her hand.

“What if something happens to you?” I reach for her again, her ungloved fingers colder than before.

She pulls back. “I’m dying. What does it matter if I die on this island, in The Sanatorium, or while looking for my son? The outcome is the same.”

It matters to me. The thought is a reflex I immediately shut down, a secret I lock up.

“Fine.” I won’t lose, so I won’t have to take her to the colonies. We’ve been doing puzzles together every night for weeks. She’s good, but not as good as me. I’ll still get what I want.

“I win, you join me tomorrow. You win, I’ll take you to the colonies.” I hold out my hand.

She studies me for an extra beat, then lifts her pinky. “Pinky swear instead.” She smiles, this time with teeth. I note the soft pink hue of her lips, and the blunt squareness of her teeth when she does.

“Why?”

“It’s more personal than a handshake.” Her grin makes her eyes sparkle, and I realize it’s been a while since I’ve seen that vitality in her.

“Alright,” I say, offering my pinky. “Now what?”

She wraps her littlest finger around mine, her skin soft and warm, then pumps our joined hands once. “There. Deal.”

I place five pieces to three of hers in the first fifteen minutes. By the thirty-minute mark, I’ve got such a lead, I relax. My undoing.

By the time the hour is up, she’s won fifteen to twelve.

I slump back into my chair as the clock chimes the new hour. The reality of the wager I made sinks in with a sickening feeling. The idea of Pippa overexerting herself through days of travel, being away from Noah and his help, makes me feel sick to my stomach. Where will we even look? He’s not in New Essik or New Caldon. Gray’s already checking Briarton. I’m certain he’ll be back with the boy in a day or two. Perhaps I can stall long enough for Gray’s return.

“When do we leave?” she asks. “Shall I meet you on the dock when the boat arrives with the guests?”

“I still need to feed.” I stand and pull out her chair for her. I won’t go back on a wager—that’s not the kind of man I am—but I don’t need to hurry things along. “We’ll leave with the guests in the morning. After the party.”

She holds the table for support as she stands, taking deep breaths. A sure sign she’s dizzy. I provide my arm to keep her steady. “I’ve kept you up too late.”

“Shemaiah, your sense of self-flagellation is unparalleled. You didn’t do anything. I sat in the library with a friend, which brought me joy.”

“And I appreciate it.”

She shakes her head with the smallest of eye rolls. “You appreciate the wall I create.”

“I can’t deny that spending time with you has its advantages, one of which is keeping two very zealous women at bay.”

She laughs. “I appreciate your honesty.”

I like the sound of her mirth.

After I leave Pippa at her door with a bow and the promise to have dinner sent to her room, I go to find my brother. Noah will need to be informed of this new development.

As expected, he’s in his laboratory and Ruby is with him. The two are rarely far from each other. As usual, he’s hunched over a microscope. Ruby’s sitting at the table with a book in one hand and a writing utensil in the other. I know she’s working on a research paper for the university, though I don’t know much about it.

“What do you need, Shem?” Noah asks without looking up.

“I’ve agreed to take Pippa to the colonies to search for her son.”

Noah lifts his head, his eyebrows riding high. Ruby sets down her book, giving me all of her attention.