Page 118 of Fortress of Ambrose
“You haven’t come back to my room. Even to sleep on the chaise. Why?”
I know the answer—he is not convinced it’s safe to be so near me for longer stretches of time.
“We will have dinner soon. Just us.”
“I will hold you to it.”
A wicked smirk bows his lips. “Please do.”
I walk him to his dorm, where he insists on sleeping, and tell him about my horrible time with the gate, Ube’s advice, the eerie feeling I had about him lurking. Then I immediately felt bad. Ube has only offered help. Unlike others. I also mention Dexler’s improvements, which he’s noticed as well.
“I’m going to try his recommendation first thing tomorrow.”
“He and his sister aresharp. It’ll probably work.”
“Does that make you trust them more? Can you see them being part of a House permanently?”
“I trust no one.OurHouse is you and me, as far as I’m concerned.”
I fold my arms when we reach his room, perturbed he still hasn’t budged on his ideas about what happensafterwe save magic. We have to dosomethingwith the magic. Shouldn’t we leave things better in the Order than we found it? More equitable.
I glare at the ornate walls and polished decor we pass. It screamsDarragh Marionne. She was the House. And the House was her. Magic is in our hands. We can mold it into something better. But we don’t have to hold it in our hands forever. Whatever we do, it starts with trust. Without that, we can’t build anything.
“You’re working with Ube on the most important procedure of our lives. We have to know if he’s trustworthy. And if he is, you need to treat him that way. Then there’s Yani.”She lingers in the shadows.“I don’t like her, Jordan.”
“I’ve told you, I can handle Yani. She is desperate to please. That could be useful.”
“No. Not ever. Period.”
“But you’re ready to hand over a whole House to Willam and Knox? Who’ve teamed up withgoodDarkbearers, so they say, and lied to us about it? Who arelyingto their own people about it as we speak?”
Footsteps tap in the distance.
“We’re not supposed to be fighting about this, remember?” he says.
My jaw works and an idea strikes me. “You can learn a lot about a person when you show them a little favor.” I will show him how Ube and Erla have done nothing but comply with us uprooting them and forcing them to help us with the Sphere’s magic. If anyone deserves a chance to prove themselves, it’s them.
“What are you suggesting?”
“Dexler’s gotten the dining room almost fully repaired. Let’s christen it with a nice dinner. We’ll invite each of them: Ube; his sister, Erla; and Yaniselle.” Talking with Ube and Erla in an unpressured situation will help him see what I see in them—andwhat I see in Yaniselle.
“Fine.” Jordan opens his mouth but shuts it. And it feels like a win.
Forty-Eight
Nore
Nore’s covers still smelled like Yagrin. It had been a couple of days since they’d rolled around in her bed before she forced him to leave, after coronation. The next morning, she couldn’t bear to leave her room, still in pieces. Her absence was ruffling feathers, though.
Three families had dropped out of pursuing Rites. One of their largest donors sent a strongly worded letter to Nore. It still lay open on her desk. Priest Kimper requested a meeting with her, which she refused. Her mother had come to her door, but left when Nore didn’t answer. Nore also noticed the dead hovering outside her window more than once. She couldn’t hide out in her room anymore. She had to lead the House. Or at least pretend to.
Ainsley busied herself around Nore’s room, tidying and preparing her clothes for dinner. The maid hadn’t said much or even looked at her since the incident.
“Is this gray off-the-shoulder dress more to your liking?” Ainsley asked, dangling a ratty dress whose only saving grace was the interesting neckline.
“Sure.”
“I’ll find something better, Headmistress.”
