Page 248 of Carousel

He’s calm.

“You were grieving. You asked me to help you.”

I relax. Of course. He eased my pain.

I’ve lost so many people.

And nothing is more important than getting to Rhavna. Making a good impression on the Queen, so that we gain her trust and she crowns us.

It will be the start of our lives together.

“I shouldn’t be in your cabin,” I say quickly. “Goodnight, Drake.”

I brush my lips against his cheek in parting.

Releasing him, I say, “I can’t wait to be your queen.”

I go straight up to The Bridge, praying Meg will still be there.

She is. She’s at the control table with the others, almost exactly where I left her hours ago – although Dezeeves isn’t here now.

“Meg,” I call to her. “Can I speak with you?’

Her eyes narrow. It couldn’t be clearer that she hates me right now. But I need her.

“Please.”

Her scowl is unmissable as she drags herself over to me like her body weighs a tonne.

“I need to borrow a dress,” I tell her by the window.

She blinks at me. “You took me away from flying this ship to ask me about a dress.”

I blink at her right back. “I have to look my best to meet the Queen tomorrow. You know I do. Will you help me?”

I watch her tongue stab into her cheek.

But then she looks her composed self again.

“I’ll come to your cabin in the morning, before we begin descent.”

“Thank you,” I say. Quietly, I add, “And I’m sorry about Ephraine.”

She scoffs. “How can you be sorry? You’re the one who killed him.”

“I’m sorry I caused you pain – not that I killed him. He betrayed us, Meg. His actions led to the deaths of many.”

She flinches from me.

It’s how I know I have her in my palm.

“And there is someone who has killed far more people than Ephraine. You know who I’m talking about, don’t you?”

“I do.”

“Do you agree with us?”

What I really mean, is, will you support us? Or stand in our way?