Page 100 of A Slipper in the Smoke
A few streets later, lungs burning, Snowdrop pulled them into an alley and whipped out several bags that she or one of the others must have stashed there earlier. They shed their clothes and pulled on cloaks, dousing themselves in a little water and rinsing the foul tastes out of their mouths as well as they could. They threw everything into a trash container afterwards, Dandelion hammering on a door as they passed it. Someone—a nameless ally—was out in seconds, brandishing matches and fuel, setting it alight.
Elena didn’t stop to watch it burn. Already they were moving onwards, down into the underground again, Dandelion muttering under his breath about how he hoped Buttercup was doing all right.
She tried to catch up with Pip, tried to catch his gaze, but it was firmly fixed on the path in front of them and didn’t waver once. He was a pale, walking statue.
Say something,she begged him, at the same time yelling at herself to do the same. But the words didn’t come. Nothing did.
Finally, they found their way onto an abandoned platform, where Buttercup was waiting for them, together with the train—minus the final carriage. He’d obviously abandoned his hostages elsewhere. Elena hoped they were all right; she hadn’t wanted to terrify Sofia. Someone would surely find them soon.
Buttercup ran to embrace his husband, not even caring that he was still covered in muck.
“We did it?” he whispered into his neck, half crushing him.
Dandelion smiled, easing out of his grip and gesturing to Pip. “We did.”
Buttercup beamed. “Your Highness,” he said, dropping into a bow. “I wish I had more to welcome you, but please—we must hurry.”
Pip stared white faced at them all, looking like he wanted to bolt away from everything, but Buttercup opened up the door and ushered him inside, returning to the driver’s seat. The train rumbled back into life.
Elena hesitated before climbing on board. She hardly knew why. She’d never liked it in Petragrad. It had never been her home. Everyone was on that train. A chance for a better world, an offer of freedom.Pip.
“It’s all right,” said Snowdrop knowingly, brushing her back. “I was afraid, too.”
Elena swallowed, and stepped on board.
She didn’t breathe until they were pulling away.
Clover let out a long, low whistle. “Well, that was a close one!”
“We’ll be free of the city in an hour,” Snowdrop remarked. “We’ll take the train as far as we dare, then blow up the tunnel and head out to the wasteland on foot.”
“The wasteland?” Pip croaked. “The radioactive wasteland? You’re taking me there?”
“It’s not radioactive,” Snowdrop said. “Long story. Another time. You’re safe now, Phillippe. Trust me.”
“You want me to trust the people thatkidnapped me?”
Elena frowned. “We didn’t kidnap you, you came with us.”
“I was confused! You said my life was in danger and I panicked! How do I know you’re not going to try and kill me—”
Elena’s heart tightened. He couldn’t possibly think that she’d hurt him, that after everything, this was some kind of trap. He’d taken her hand. He hadn’t resisted.
Had he done all of that because he wasafraid?
“Because,” said Snowdrop, “they didn’t killme.”
Elena and Pip both turned to stare at her. A strange air had covered her, both monumental and casual—like someone trying to sound indifferent in the face of death. She knew exactly how dark her words were and was trying to downplay it.
“They didn’t kill my father, either,” Snowdrop continued. “Mira did.”
“I’m sorry,” said Pip, rubbing his temples, “but am I supposed to know who you are? Forgive me if I sound impolite, I’ve had rather a trying day.”
Snowdrop snorted, shaking out her hair. “I’m not surprised you don’t recognise me. No one ever does. Except Nero, apparently. And a few of the servants. I’ll wager Mira would have too, if she’d seen me. But it has been a very long time…” She took a bow, so deep she almost touched the floor. “I was born Princess Ivory of Petragrad.”
Elena took a sharp breath. So did Pip. The other members of the party merely shrugged—this was clearly old news to them.
No wonder Prince Nero had recognised her. He’d half grown up in the palace. What had he called her?Ivy? Had Elena misheard, or was that some old nickname he had for her?
