Page 102 of Thorns & Fire
Wren’s skin crawled.‘And then what?’
‘And then he found your notes—’
‘That’s not possible...I keep my notes locked away in my room.I—’
She saw Dessa’s throat bob.‘It’s my fault.The last time we worked together I took yours by mistake.I’d only found them among mine that morning.I put them on your desk with the roses so I’d remember to give them back to you and...he saw them.He saw the map of Delmira.And by then I’d come over to your station to make sure he wasn’t tampering with your work, which gave me away.He shoved the map into my hand and dragged me before the king.The rest, you know.’
‘Gods, Dessa.I’m so sorry.You didn’t deserve that.’
‘Neither did you.I should have been more careful.’
‘Please don’t blame yourself.’Wren hung her head, the next words tumbling from her mouth in a raw admission.‘I don’tremember the last time I was sure about anything, the last time I felt like I wasn’t on the edge of making some monumental mistake.What is going to become of alchemy as a discipline with a tyrant at the helm?What of Drevenor?Once more of this poison spills out into the world, there’ll be no putting it back.’
Dessa was quiet for a moment before she nudged Wren.‘Do you want a cup of tea?’
A weak laugh bubbled from Wren’s lips.‘What?’
Her friend went to where a small pot hung over the hearth.‘I say this with love, Wren, but...you look exhausted.A cup of tea won’t solve all your problems, but it’s a good place to start.’
Wren’s whole body sagged with relief.‘I’d love that.’
The women sat cross-legged on Dessa’s bed, steaming mugs of tea between their palms, and Wren sank into the warm comfort of female friendship once more.It was a balm like no other, she realized.She needed it.
When she’d settled in, Dessa told her about her progress with her own opus – the memory device to help her ailing father.She told her how much interest the masters had shown in it, how excited they were on her behalf.
‘I’m worried I won’t have enough time, though,’ Dessa admitted.‘It’s such intricate work, it can’t be rushed...but our presentation day is so close now.’
Wren knew the feeling well.‘The pressure is mounting, isn’t it?’
‘Truly,’ Dessa agreed.‘You’d think during this time of upheaval we’d be shown a bit of grace, but...’
‘Knowledge is the victor over fate,’ Wren replied.
Dessa huffed a dry laugh.‘And the mind is a blade...Drevenor stops for nothing, not even a possible war.’
‘I think we’re beyond the realm ofpossiblenow,’ Wren said gently.
‘I think you’re right.’Dessa heaved a sigh.‘Shall we talk about something else?’
The conversation shifted to romance, as it tended to with Dessa at the helm – but for once, Wren wasn’t the subject in question.
‘Things are over between Kipp and me,’ Dessa admitted, draining the rest of her tea.
‘Zavier mentioned it.I’m sorry.’
Dessa sighed.‘It was fun while it lasted, but after we went with you to Delmira...I realized my priorities are with the academy.I want to put my work before all else, until I meet someone who feels like home...Does that sound ridiculous?’
‘No,’ Wren told her.‘It sounds wise.’
‘Well, I have my moments.’Dessa poured them both a fresh cup.‘And you?Have you fixed things with your Bear Slayer?’
‘No,’ she admitted.‘It’s not easy.’
‘The good things never are, Wren.’
Wren let out a rueful chuckle.‘I’ll say.’
The next morning, as the early light bled into the council room, Wren’s head was already aching.She sat beside Zavier, who’d been strangely understanding about her keeping Delmira a secret, while Lord Lucian Devereux, King Leiko, and Lady Liora had graciously come to the conclusion that the Embervales were indeed the rightful heirs to the kingdom.The newfound state of said kingdom was another thing entirely, and the rulers raged and bickered about what to do with the information.Meanwhile, Darian Devereux watched everything unfold with a bored expression, and Kipp sat at the far end of the table, his auburn hair falling over his eyes as he scribbled away in a small notebook.
