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“And if I don’t win? What will you do?”
Sage stands and walks to the window. She pulls the curtain aside and looks out at the street. The stores are open, and the town’s people excitedly prepare for tonight’s events. “There’s nothing for me here. I could make a living in Overburn at the Red Keep, but that’s not a life I want to live.”
“What about Harrison? Do you think you’ll miss him?”
“No,” she says, shaking her head. “He was fun, and sweet, but he’sonly home for a few weeks before he’ll be shipped out again. If I’m not married to him, there’s no point in making a life with someone like that.”
“How did you get married to such a beast like your husband?”
Sage crosses her arms and sits beside me on the bed again. “It was arranged. My father needed money and Jessup needed a wife. He thought I’d bear his children, but I’ve been taking a suppressant since the day he walked through our front door.”
“Does Central Arcane have a healer?”And is it the woman I met last night? Or is there another Cerise on the Crown’s payroll I didn’t know about?
Sage shakes her head. “Not that I’m aware of. Madame Marcy doesn’t like her girls getting pregnant. My sister used to work for her, and she forfeited her dosage and gave it to me.”
“What happened to her?”
“She died.” Sage shrugs as if it’s no big deal, but I can see the pain in her eyes. “We’ve all lost loved ones by the king’s hand. It doesn’t make it okay, but what can you do?”
“Do you have a dress?” I ask, trying to change the subject.
Sage’s smile stretches wide. “I do. One of the others I was working on, although it’s not as eye-catching as the one you’ve got.” She pulls a shimmery black gown made of satin with a scalloped neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves out of her bag. The waist is fitted, and the skirt is almost as poofy as the ball gowns in her husband’s shop, but more refined.
I look at her bag now and frown. It’s nearly empty. “Please, tell me you brought more than that dress.”
“I have a handful of things, but Jessup didn’t think you’d show. He wouldn’t let me pack as if I was leaving.”
That bastard. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.” One way or another…
“I’m not worried about me. We need to get you ready for the Culling!” Sage looks around, noticing for the first time how bare the room is. “Where are your things?”
I yawn. It’s been a long time since I’ve used so much magic. I forgot how draining my powers can be. My lack of sleep from last night probably doesn’t help either. “I don’t know how you manage to stay out all night, lay with your lovers, come home, and still be so full of life.”
“Sleep is a luxury I’ve grown used to without it, but from the looks ofthings…” Sage opens the trunk at my footboard and rummages through the few items in my pack. “You don’t have any shoes to go with a dress?”
I shake my head. All I have are the ankle boots I’m wearing. “Going to the Culling wasn’t high on my list when I left Divale Manor. My uncle will tell you I adamantly refused up until this morning.” I rub my hand over my face, trying to ward off sleep.
“You should take a nap. I’ll find you some shoes and makeup while you rest.”
“I don’t have a lot of money left. I can get more, but…” I yawn again, unable to finish my sentence.
Sage holds up her hands and shakes her head. “Shh. I have some friends nearby. Let me see what I can borrow before we buy things. In the meantime, get some sleep. We only have a few hours before we need to start getting you ready for tonight.”
“Thank you,” I say, hoping she is genuine.
“Hush, you freed me. I owe you my life.”
“Try not to run into your husband. I don’t think he’ll be too pleased when he realizes what I’ve done.”
“I doubt it.” She giggles. “But believe me, I don’t plan to go anywhere near that man again.”
I yawn once more and lay down on the bed. It’s been such a long day. Ezra and I left at sunrise yesterday, rode all day, and arrived at the inn well after sunset. This morning, I barely had time to take a quick bath after Bash escorted me back to the Inn before needing to find Sutherland.
Sleep tugs at me and after a few minutes of resisting, Igive in.
“Name,” the guard at the front gate demands.
I stare at the stone wall surrounding the castle, noticing how, just like in Tarrish, the torches burn orange, not blue, and find it odd.
