Page 41 of Magick and Lead
But the newscaster was already moving on.
In other news, the Ramos administration has struck a deal with the Sylph Lord of Koratain to purchase over ten million dollars’ worth of coal. The supply should satisfy Admar’s growing need for fuel, but the reliance on a foreign source for such a critical commodity has raised concern among some lawmakers…
“Shut it off,” Essa said.
I ignored her demand, taking a bite of my patty melt.
…And in our final story of the day, the Silver Wraith is back. Admar’s favorite Ace led a sortie over Dorhane, which, according to sources…
Essa rose from her seat, stomped over to the radio, and before I could stop her, tipped it over. It hit the floor with a bang and a spark. The sound went dead.
“Sophi almighty!” I cursed. “Do you know how much that thing cost? And they were talking about me, by the way.”
“Voices from beyond the void?—”
“It was a goddamn radio announcer!”
“—Must not be listened to.”
I shook my head, fuming. “You know… I risked my life searching for you. I scoured your goddamned country. I fought golenae. I rescued villages from monsters. And I begged the people there to tell me where you were, just so I could look you in the eye and apologize. For two months, I’ve dreamed night and day of seeing you again. Now, I finally find you and you try to kill me and break my damned radio.”
“People can be very disappointing,” she said coldly. “You taught me that.”
I shook my head, beside myself. “Listen, it’s been a long day. Let’s get some rest and we can start tracking Kortoi down first thing in the morning.”
I strode into my bedroom, came out with a blanket and pillow and tossed them to her, then pointed to the couch. “You can sleep there. It’s more comfortable than it looks.”
Her gaze ticked from the couch back to me. “I am the queen of Maethalia,” she said. “The queen gets the bed.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Oh. You want to sleep in my bed?”
“Whileyousleep on the couch, moron,” she shot back.
I crossed my arms. “I don’t remember you being such a brat.”
“And I don’t remember you being such an ass.Kit.”
I gave her my most devilish grin. “I may be an ass, sweetie, but I’m no idiot. I’m keeping a locked door between myself and that dagger of yours. That means I’m on the bed and you’re onthe couch. Sorry, we don’t have queens in Admar. I’m sure you understand.”
She bared her teeth—an expression that wasn’t a smile. “I understand perfectly.”
“Great,” I said, stripping off my shirt and retreating into the bedroom. Her eyes lingered before she tore them away—hoping I wouldn’t notice.
I gave her my biggest, broadest grin. “Sweet dreams, Your Highness,” I said.
Before she could attack me, I slammed the bedroom door—and locked it.
20
ESSA
Ilay upon the sofa in Charlie’s apartment, staring up at the ceiling. He was on the other side of that door, on the other side of a wall so thin I thought I could hear him breathing.
Stillbreathing.
I came here to kill him. I had failed.
I’m a coward,I thought to Othura.
