Page 211 of The Bone Season

‘You do look quite shiny.’

‘I am a concubine. I must be suitably adorned.’

‘What a pair we make.’ I reached his side. ‘Why are you out here?’

He nodded to a single frosted rose, clearly on the verge of death.

‘Fazal tells me this is the last rose of summer,’ he said. ‘After we spoke of flowers last night, I had a mind to give it to you.’ He gazed at it. ‘And then I decided that it was better to let it choose its own time.’

The night before, I had told him which flower I wanted him to plant on my grave if we failed. He could still be cold and distant with me, but I knew he would do it. Wild oat grew on the grounds of Magdalen.

Nearly half a year of living at close quarters, and I suddenly had no idea what to say. Soon I would be waking in the den at Seven Dials, and it would be as if I had imagined him. The giant in the tower.

‘Warden,’ I murmured, ‘as I’ve said, meeting you was … an experience.’

‘Yes.’

‘But I want you to know that it wasn’t always a bad one.’ I searched for the right words. ‘I don’t know if we’ll have any time to … say goodbye, on Port Meadow. I just wanted to say that I’m glad we did meet. And I don’t want to kill you now.’

‘You honour me, Paige.’

There were shadows under his eyes. The lack of amaranth was getting to him, but I couldn’t regret asking for it. Liss had come alive since the reconnection.

‘Last chance to back out,’ I said. ‘Are you sure you’re able for this?’

‘Yes. It is time,’ Warden said. ‘Thank you. For reminding me what it was to hope.’

‘Glad I could pass on some of my criminal skills.’

The bell rang. We both looked towards Magdalen Tower.

‘We are summoned,’ he said quietly.

He offered me his arm. Just for tonight, we had been instructed to put on a display of unity for the emissaries. And I was the special guest.

I tucked my hand into the crook of his elbow. For the last time, we left the Residence of Magdalen.

The Guildhall was at the end of Magdalen Walk. Almost everyone would be at the Bicentenary: jackets, performers, amaurotics. Most would be allowed to eat and dance. In return, they had to pretend they were grateful for theirrehabilitation. Tonight, Warden and I were part of that performance.

He kept a gloved hand over mine as we walked. On any other night, the Rephs would never have allowed this, but clearly they wanted to give the impression that they were compassionate masters.

Nashira would clearly prefer me to be a willing sacrifice. I would not give her that satisfaction, but I knew I would be silenced before I went on stage.

‘The train will leave this city at midnight,’ Warden said. ‘You will be called at a quarter to eleven – the last scene of the play, the grand finale.’

That was bad. If every prisoner was to reach the train, they would have to move quickly.

‘So the execution won’t take long,’ I said. ‘If she overpowers me.’

‘She will not.’

‘You don’t know that.’

‘I was attempting to be optimistic.’

He led me to the doors of the old building, which had been scrubbed to the last stone and step. Half the red-jackets were on duty tonight, armed with batons and flux guns, while the others were allowed to mingle and enjoy themselves.

David had drawn the short straw. He gave me a nod as I passed with Warden. I looked away.

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