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“I’m beginning to think that’s just a dragon’s natural state.”
This time Vivia’s smile is real. “Yeah, I suppose it is. How’s Malix?”
“Asleep,” I say and finish loading my tray with food. “He needs it.”
“He does.”
We lapse into a comfortable silence, and I finish pouring two glasses of freshly squeezed juice. Pineapple from the smell of it. I should leave, but I hesitate by the door. “Can I visit her soon?” I blurt, very un-queen-like.
I see the brief hesitation and lie to myself that her reaction doesn’t hurt. Does she blame me for Mina’s injuries? Does Mina?
“Tomorrow,” she says at last. “I just want her to have one more day of rest. Right now our son hasn’t left her side. I think he needs to reassure himself that his mother is okay.”
“Right, of course. Please, let me know if there is anything Malix or I can do. Do you mind letting her know that I’m thinking about her?”
Vivia nods once. “Of course. She will be happy to hear that.”
“Thank you.” I linger for another moment before finally leaving. I hate when people around me are hurting and I can’t do shit about it. The only solace I take is knowing that Mina is going to be okay and that I didn’t cause the death of my dear friend.
By the time I make it back to our chambers, fresh linens cover my bed, and the room no longer smells like sex and sweat. I carefully place the food tray on the bed, buttering the biscuits and getting the food ready for consumption when I hear my name.
“Hello, Rose.”
Like a startled cat, I jump, nearly spilling my breakfast all over my clean bed.
“Ender?”
I can’t hide the surprise or confusion I feel when I see The Guardian is standing in my room. I haven’t seen him since the day he dropped me off and left me to my fate. The fact that he’s here now sends alarm bells ringing in my head. “What are you doing here?” Then a sickening thought takes form and blooms, spreading the beginning signs of panic within me. “Are you here to drag me back to Grym Hollow? Is my sister okay? What–”
Ender puts his hand up, effectively silencing my panic spiral. “I’m not here to take you home. This is your home now and where you will remain for the rest of your days. Your sister is fine, discovering the joys and hardships of motherhood. Hasn’t asked around about you though.”
I’m not sure if I’m relieved or disappointed about the news of my sister. I suppose I’m thankful my deal wasn’t in vain, but the bitterness for how things ended between us is still there. If dragons had therapists, I would need to find one soon.
“You have a problem. I’m here to give you advice,” he adds cryptically.
A problem? I laugh at the absurdity of the statement. “Couldn’t have come a few days ago, could you? That’s when my problem started, but I can assure you, we are all fine.”
The pitying look he gives unsettles me to my core. I don’t want to face Ender alone. If we have a problem, then Malix needs to be aware of it as well. But when I look over at the nest, Malix is still there; he hasn’t moved a muscle. How is he still asleep after all this?
The answer is there, deep inside me, but not one that I’m willing to give voice to.
“Let me just wake up my husband.” My body is working on autopilot. I feel like I’m a spectator, watching the scene take place before me without actually being part of it.
“Rose—” Ender tries to speak, and my too-big, too-fake smile cuts him off.
“Just one second,” I say, my voice higher pitched, “He never usually sleeps this late.”
I feel like I’m the oblivious character in a horror film who says they should go check out the basement. Everyone knows that’s a bad idea, but the character insists on doing it anyway.
I know what I’ll find when I get to Malix, but I choose to live in ignorant bliss a little longer.
When I reach my sleeping husband, I crouch down and gently shake him. “Malix?” No response. I wait a second.
Then another.
And another.
“Malix?” I shake him harder this time, raising my voice. The bubble of ignorance is deflating fast.
