Page 37 of His Noble Ruin

He held the Academy’s book in his hand. “This looks interesting, I admit, but hardly worth it.”

I pulled it out of his grasp and put it back where it belonged—with me. The promise of forbidden information was too tempting.

He appraised my new twenty-year-old faded brown dress. “I thought you’d find something nicer than a sack in a queen’s house.”

“The upstairs closets were completely stripped. But I’d rather wear servant’s clothing than an outdated frilly gown anyway.”

“And your bag?” he asked.

I began pulling my hair into a bun. “I’ll cover it up. No one will notice.” I was okay with leaving my raincoat and other clothing behind, but my bag, and especially its contents, had to stay with me. Besides, I hadn’t found any other options in this house.

“Still overconfident,” said Cael.

I picked up my bag and draped it with a scrap of fabric I’d found. “Always.”

I climbed between the boards, Cael squeezing through after me. The early morning was cool and quiet. It was Sunday, so the streets would soon be filled with citizens on their way to church to listen to hours of poetry. The library wouldn’t be open, but then again, I couldn’t go back there anyway.

I headed toward the back of the grounds, my boots wet with dew from the overgrown grass. I stopped at the corner where the end of the iron fence met the soaring stone wall and separated the grounds from the street.

Cael left me on my own and went the other way, to the front gates. I wished I could get my hands on a uniform of my own. If I had the humility—and if I thought it would work—I would’ve asked Cael to steal another for me.

I craned my neck and looked up the wall, my eyes barely able to find the top. Fortunately, I wouldn’t have to climb the entire thing—not today, anyway. I only needed to get up high enough to clear the brambles and the fence. If I’d had the chance to run to this point last night, I would’ve been able to save myself from the battle of a thousand thorns.

I gripped a knife in each hand and began to climb, wedging my blades between the stones.

* * *

The walkacross the city took much longer than it should have. My heel, though improved, kept me from my normal pace. My empty stomach and lack of energy slowed me down even further. I tried to avoid the main avenues and Law Enforcers as much as possible, which meant I ended up winding through dozens of small back streets and alleyways on my way back to the Lenoxes’ house.

Was it safe to go back? I asked myself for the tenth time. Or would I endanger the Lenoxes? I knew they’d be sick with worry if I didn’t return to tell them I was okay. And my job wasn’t done here. In the end, I decided to go, but I’d be careful.

I went to a different set of gates this time. The usual Quarter C guard could’ve recognized me and connected me to the drawing in the paper, though I suspected she’d hardly paid any attention to me at all. At the entry, I took out my rank card, holding my breath when the guard looked it over. Thankfully, he handed it back without a word.

My hesitation grew as I walked through the quarter, making my way to the Lenoxes’ street by a different route. At their door, my shaky hand hovered above the knob. Going in could endanger them. I couldn’t deny it. I never should have involved them in my plan.

The door swung open. “You’re back!” Etna beamed. “Marcus, she’s back! Come in, quickly.” She grabbed my wrist and pulled me in before I could argue.

Etna shut the door and locked it behind me.

I collapsed on the bottom stair.

“Are you hurt?” Marcus asked.

I buried my hands in my hair and shook my head. “I’m so sorry I’ve put you in danger.”

“We were terrified when we saw the news,” said Etna, “but not for our own sake. What made you go inside the Academy? And what will you do if the queen gets her way?”

I shook my head again. How could I possibly explain when I didn’t know the answers?

Etna sat beside me on the steps and put her arm around my shoulder. “We can talk about it later, my sweet girl. For now, come eat dinner.”

ChapterFourteen

I awoke earlythe next day and put on the same musty dress as the day before, then twisted my hair and pinned it up on the back of my head. My heel felt almost normal. I didn’t expect it to slow me down anymore.

“You look lovely,” said Etna when I came down for breakfast. “That dress matches your eyes.”

I looked down at the old-fashioned cut and dull brown of my dress. “Uh, thanks.”

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