Afew hours later, Theo escorted us to our rooms with the assurance our meals would be sent up since everyone was preparing to leave the next morning.
At least we wouldn’t have to sit through another awkward dinner. Still, a solid knot formed in my stomach.
Leaving. Tomorrow. To entrust my fate to a group of men who hated me on principle.
I was so tired of stewing in my thoughts, I was almost grateful when Venla arrived, bringing with her a small meal of salted fish and boiled potatoes. After I ate under her watchful, disapproving eye, she dressed me in another charming nightgown before taking her leave.
The thick, ruffled fabric was tight against my neck, the color a pale pink that clashed marvelously with my hair.
Is this what they require all of their women to wear, or is it only me that has the pleasure? I imagined my sisters’ faces if they saw—
A knock on the door effectively cut off that line of thought, for which I was immensely grateful. I couldn’t afford to think about my family if I wanted to get through this.
It was Davin, of course. When he came in, though, there was none of our usual easy conversation, not even yelling this time. We looked at each other like neither of us could quite decide what to say.
“If you get home before I do,” I finally began.
“You mean if you don’t get home at all,” he countered.
“Details.” I waved a hand, trying and failing for an air of casualness. “Regardless, tell my father…tell him I’m sorry he was right about me not being able to go five minutes without doing something stupid, but I hope I’ve finally done something smart.”
Davin closed his eyes for several seconds as his fists clenched at his sides.
“If I get home before you, I won’t be able to tell your father anything before he kills me for leaving you here.”
“He’ll understand,” I insisted.
And I believed it. I wanted to think that my father would have made the same choice in my situation, even if he never would have intentionally landed himself here to begin with.
“Will he?” Davin demanded. “Because I’m not sure I do.”
I hadn’t seen him this serious since Mac died, and the sight nearly broke me.
“I don’t have a choice. You know that.” I looked away from him.
“And what’s my choice, when I have to tell our families I stayed here safe while you traipsed off to die?”
“Don’t be so dramatic,” I chided in a tone far more confident than I felt. “We both know they’re more likely to ransom me than anything. I’ll probably be back here with you before you can even make the journey home.” I hoped.
The corner of Davin’s mouth twitched in a reluctant smile, and his shoulders began to relax a little.
“You had better be. You know you’re my favorite cousin. It would be boring without you.”
“You mean the others won’t break all the rules with you?” I laughed, but quickly sobered when I remembered that our latest stint of rule-breaking had landed us here. “Perhaps that’s for the best. Someone should keep you in line.”
“Don’t say that.” He visibly shuddered. “I’d rather face the Socairan Summit than be boring for the rest of my life.”
I managed a small smile. “Well, we all have to make sacrifices.”
Instead of laughing at my off-color joke like he usually would, Davin surprised me by wrapping his arms around me.
“Remember, Tellus Amat Fortis.” It was my family’s motto. The world loves the strong. “And you are certainly one of the strong ones.”
Then he pulled back, giving me a once over. “Even if you are wearing the most ridiculous nightgown I’ve ever seen.”
I laughed. “Well, I’m sorry you feel that way since I had Venla fetch an extra one for you in blue, and it would mean the world to me if you put it on. You wouldn’t deny me my dying wish, would you?”
“Psssh. You just said you weren’t going anywhere, cousin, and I’m going to hold you to it.” A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. “But I tell you what, when you come back here alive, I’ll wear one of these nightgowns in your honor.”
“Well, then. That’s all the incentive I need.”
With that, we both broke into laughter.
I never thought I would be grateful for the clothing here, but that was all we needed to lighten the mood. After that, we spent the rest of the evening reminiscing and talking and doing everything but talk about the fact that I was leaving in the morning.
