Page 66 of A Curse of Hope and Shadows: Part I
“I can fetch a book—”
“No. Not another story. Something real. Tell me of splashing in the stream with your siblings. Tell me of the day you realised Leonie was something else. Tell me tales of other forts you built, games you played. Tell me about a time you laughed.”
“All right,” she said and began to speak.
Somehow, despite the pounding, despite the apprehension, despite feeling sick with nerves, he found himself growing drowsy. His limbs went heavy, his mind muggy, until all he knew was that this was the most comfortable place he knew, and he did not want to leave it.
Dimly, he was aware of her shuffling away, of a door opening, of voices in the hall.
“It’s time.” Minty’s voice reached him through a hot, dark fog. “How is he?”
“Sleeping, I think.” Adeline paused. “I don’t want to wake him.”
“I know how you feel.”
He heard the two of them shuffling into the room, the soft snort of Minty when she saw the fort. “You’re good for him, Adeline.”
She is, she is, she is. She’s the best.
Adeline did not reply to that. “Should I rouse him? Come with you to wherever—”
No, no, no, don’t take her down there—
“I don’t think so,” Minty said before he could find the strength to reply.
“Right.”
The blankets rustled as they drew them back. He felt Adeline hovering beside him, while Minty’s stiff, gnarled fingers brushed his cheek. He could wake up now. He could say goodbye. But he didn’t want to look at her and see his own fear reflected back at him in those glass-brown eyes of hers.
“Mrs Minton?” Adeline whispered.
“Yes, my dear?”
“If he changes his mind at any point, any point at all, if he wants me there—”
“He won’t,” she said sharply. “But yes, I will come for you.”
“And as soon as it’s over, the minute, I don’t care what hour—”
“I know.”
Dimitri felt something move; he was fairly sure Mrs Minton was squeezing her arm. Adeline shifted slightly. Nodding, perhaps, and then she moved away. There was a touch at his temple, barely there, and then—gone.
Thomas came in as she was leaving. “Shall I fetch Hughes?” he asked Mrs Minton. “Does he need someone to carry him?”
“I’m awake,” Dimitri responded, and propped himself up on his elbows. Mrs Minton jerked away, and Thomas’ eyes widened, as if he’d quite forgotten Dimitri could speak at all. Maybe he was just surprised to see him curled up under a table, although he was certain Thomas had seen him doing a lot worse over the years.
“Apologies, My Lord,” he said hastily.
He rubbed his head. “What for?”
“For, um, well—”
“It doesn’t matter,” he said, climbing shakily to his feet. “Minty, go back to the kitchens. Make sure Adeline has some strong tea. And have some yourself. You look pale. Thomas is more than capable of locking me up himself.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m hardly going to struggle.”
