Page 106 of A Dose of Agony
“As much time as you desire.”
I nod sharply. “Hours.”
He chuckles.
“What happens after that, though? You want to go through the tribunal, but Bea said it wouldn’t be that simple.”
He curls a lip. “Bea would say that.”
“I know, but what she said made sense.” I sit up. “She said that there’s no real way to prove the person you present is not a false choice. If you show up with an accepted chosen while Liz is on Vandozer’s arm, some of the clans might think you’re lying. And if they think you’re lying, it would damage your reputation forever, not just right now.”
He growls. “I would not lie.”
“I know that, but they already doubt you so would they trust your word if you present me as your chosen?” Discomfort grips him hard, but I continue. “She also said—”
He grips my chin between his thumb and forefinger and turns me to face him. “I do not trust her. She was trying to keep you from me.”
“Maybe. But if so, I still think it was out of self-preservation, not malevolence. She wants to fix her mistakes. I believe her.”
“So, does that mean you are not willing to appear before the tribunal as my chosen?”
I frown. “Of course I’m willing. But I want to consider what it will mean for Liz. How can we abandon Bea’s plan entirely but still attack the council? Because I want them all fucking dead.”
He grins, wicked and cruel. “As do I, love. Together, we’ll ensure they don’t disgrace this universe with their breath ever again.”
46
Good News
The attention I get back at Shadow Hills Academy, now that I’ve been marked by Jarron rather than just bitten, is intense.
Technically, other than the fervor being renewed, it’s not that much different, but it feels very different.
Different because now I know they’re right, and there’s something so astounding in realizing that I am officially—I shiver—High Orizian royalty.
People stop to stare and whisper. Others wave eagerly at me like I’m famous or something. My friends celebrate with hugs, high fives, and cheers. Stassi squeals in absolute delight and once again reminds us that he’s going to give a speech at our wedding.
Jarron stays with me for the full weekend, with intentions of taking our first official trip to the Orizian palace on Monday. I try my best not to dwell on my nervousness, but it’s simmering beneath the surface at every moment.
I spend most of Sunday in my workshop, still messing with my potions that I’ll no longer need now that Jarron has convinced me to put off the attack on the council.
My stomach aches at that thought.
Six days. It was six days away, but now I don’t know when I’ll get the chance to enact my revenge. I don’t know when I’ll free my sister.
We will, Jarron promises me through our link.We will free her.
I can feel his determination—and his fear of disappointing me if something goes wrong. He knows this is important to me. He knows pushing me from this plan is taking away something important.
“I can’t believe it!” Janet squeals not for the first time, staring wide eyed at the crescent-shaped mark on my wrist. I smirk while stirring my delayed death potion. The pitch-black liquid hisses with each turn like it’s angry. I’m angry too.
“I can!” Lola says, dancing around the room, darting between the plumes of smoke billowing up from the cauldrons.
“Have you talked to Thompson?”
I jerk my attention up to Janet. “No, have you?”
She shakes her head. “But we could video chat him.”
