Page 84 of The Bone Season

‘I see.’

‘Speaking of which,’ I said, ‘did you ask Nashira about my life support?’

‘She denied my request. My consort is confident you can make do without it.’

‘I suppose we’ll find out.’

Warden was mercifully silent as I cleaned the rest of the gashes. By now, his hair was stuck to his forehead, sweat pouring off his skin. I tried not to think about the life support. Instead, I distracted myself with the task at hand, which took all my concentration.

Once I was done, I got a towel from the bathroom and bundled it against his side, holding it in place with a bolster. With sore hands, I took off his gloves and placed them on the nightstand.

‘That’s as much as I can do,’ I said. ‘I’ll ask the porter to send a message to Nashira.’

‘No,’ Warden said.

There was a long silence.

‘You’re her consort,’ I said. ‘She’ll want to know you’re hurt.’

Warden held my gaze. I stood and walked to the bay window.

‘Both times you’ve come back like this, there’s been fog. You didn’t want to be seen.’ I glanced at him. ‘Whatever you’re doing, you’re not supposed to be doing it, are you?’

He pressed the wadding to his wounds as best he could. ‘She may question you about me,’ he said. ‘Perhaps not yet, but soon.’

I went back to him, my boots loud on the wooden floor, and leaned against the bedpost with a smile.

‘Well,’ I said. ‘That’s interesting.’

Warden clenched his jaw.

‘You have a talent for finding me in delicate situations,’ he said. ‘If not for your quick thinking on the first occasion, and your presence here now, I would have succumbed. I owe you a debt.’

‘I gave you my reasons. Never think I’m helping you out of the kindness of my heart.’

‘If you truly wish to hurt me, you could report this to Nashira.’

‘Or you could owe me a favour. For the debt,’ I said, ‘and to keep me quiet.’ I dropped the smile. ‘Make it a good one, and I might be persuaded to keep my mouth shut about your … excursions.’

Warden suddenly looked as if he were seeing me for the first time. I thought I saw a flicker of utter repugnance in his eyes.

Either that or grudging admiration. Hard to tell on a face like that, carved and emotionless.

‘So you are an opportunist,’ he said. ‘How venturesome of you, to blackmail your keeper. One might question the wisdom of it.’

‘Set me free, and I’ll have no reason to rat on you.’

‘Name another price, and I will weigh the cost of paying it.’

I should have known my freedom was too much to ask.

‘I’m not convinced you’ll be around to pay it, at this rate.’ I folded my arms. ‘You don’t look any better. What do you need?’

‘You have wits enough to know.’

When I realised what he meant, I stepped back. ‘Don’t even think about it.’

‘Do not fear. Your rank as a pink-jacket prohibits me from feeding on you,’ Warden said. ‘We afford this courtesy to humans who conform. Instead, give me your solemn oath that you will keep these events to yourself. In return, I will grant your favour.’

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