Adelaide DuPont
"At least we can all leave this wicked place behind soon."
Almost comically, everyone spins towards me at the exact same time. Ruby's expression blanches, but no one else notices in their surprise. Topaz fixes his questioning gaze on Emerald, who tries to provide a confident smile that looks more awkward than anything else.
"You're right," Sapphire finally replies, and I think she's genuinely happy that I decided to join them, whether or not the others agree.
"How much have you planned?"
She shrugs, elaborating, "We leave in four days — for Germany, I hope, or Belgium on behalf of Rue and Ral. I've done the math: our citadel in Liechtenstein rests well under ten hours from either location, and we'll encounter little trouble catching trolleys to travel there."
"I've come to realize that Belgium doesn't truly harbor my sentiment anymore; my family is gone, and I'm certain my uncle has gambled away the rest of my inheritance by now," Emerald responds, overturning her plans when he asserts, "Besides, we never considered France."
Topaz narrows his eyes, while Sapphire contemplates his suggestion for a moment, trying and failing to remain unbiased.
"That's over eight hours away," she starts, "Doable, but I was hoping —"
"You cannot ask her to go back there," Ruby suddenly cuts in, her voice low and void of apology.
I hoped the issue of Sapphire's history would not arise. The avian girl fears a return to France more than anything; the notion that her stalker might find her again and devastate her progress terrifies her. For three years, she's finally found peace. Although, I have a past in the country as well, and I don't allow little things like that to obstruct my path. I need to find Julian. Besides, France overflows with opportunities for each of us with our unique skills: libraries for me and Emerald, archery ranges for Topaz, art institutes for Sapphire, and Ruby — well, I know ways to get rid of her.
"Where in France were you when he started following you?"
After a deep breath, Sapphire quietly answers, "I lived in the Left Bank. If we keep a distance from the capital, perhaps I'll be alright."
She doesn't sound convinced in the least, and Emerald casts me an apologetic smile. He put the suggestion forward, but Topaz and Ruby will undoubtedly defend Sapphire if she cannot endure a return, meaning he and I will be outnumbered and France will be ruled out. I refuse to accept this conclusion. For now, though, I nod, filling my expression with empathy.
"It's okay, Saph."
Students around us begin to arise for classes, and I interpret that as a cue to dismiss myself from the cafeteria also.
"I've work to do in the library now. I'll see you all again later."
I glance to Emerald — in goodbye or thanks, I'm hardly sure myself — then step away from the table without awaiting an answer. After stopping at the northern tower for a change of clothes, I head into the heart of the castle. However, about halfway to the library, I consciously make a wrong turn, heading outdoors instead. I need to ensure that we'll go to France.
Speaking with Topaz is my last resort. Though the two of us only really see each other when we're gathered in a group, I know enough about him to be certain that he'll do anything for his favorite sapphire gemstone. The first time I really hung around him was at the archery range, so I head there now. To my immense satisfaction, I find him set up at a stand a few feet away from everyone else. 'Oz prefers his space,' I recall Emerald explaining to me once.
"Topaz, hey. Can I talk to you?"
He ignores me entirely for a moment, staring down the length of his nocked arrow in concentration. When he releases the bowstring, the arrow sails through the air and plants itself on a perfect bullseye. Then, his arms slack at his sides, and he seems to surface from his dreamy thoughts. Cinnamon eyes peering through a mane of golden hair, he wordlessly looks me up and down.
"I'm worried about Saph," I add.
"Then perhaps you ought to speak with her instead."
His tone sounds more neutral than hostile. He and I don't know each other.
"She'll need to go back to normal life after school eventually," I elaborate, "She's protected now, sheltered as we all are from the outside world, but will she be later in life?"
Topaz shrugs, feigning to care much less than he really does. He's almost convincing, too.
"She won't be alone like she was before," he evenly responds, "What are you trying to say?"
He pivots away from me and raises his bow again, sparing himself more time to aim than he really needs, finding refuge in the liberty of his fluid movements. All the while, my eyes bore into his; I'm unwilling to back down.
"Of course, Saph is protected now, but will she be forever?" I resume once he finishes, "A day will come when she needs to walk somewhere alone. What if she refuses to do it — or can't. What then?"
I allow concern and a tinge of fear to creep into my voice, and maybe I meant some of the things I said. Sapphire's family deemed her insane, just as mine did to me. Neither of us actually are, and we both have a history in France. It's necessary for us to accustom ourselves to workings in the real world without the shelter of our friends.
Topaz exhales slowly — the nearest thing to an exasperated sigh in his reserved language. Though I know he hates the puerile and reliant way I describe Sapphire, he recognizes that the gentle avian girl truly has always kept herself in company to avoid being alone. He may never understand this dependency, but he can respect her needs regardless.
"I don't know what more you expect from me. I will stay with her as long as I am able — we all will — but no one can promise the future."
Silence spans for a long moment as he slings his bow over his shoulder, and his airy eyes lift to study my countenance.
"This is about France, isn't it," he continues, "You convinced Ral to advocate for a place that we all inherently recognized as non-negotiable. I don't know what draws you there, but Rue is right: you cannot ask Saph to return."
"She will never receive closure; she'll live in fear for the rest of her life. I don't want that for her!"
Fierce emotion fills my voice — for Sapphire's sake more than my own, I like to think. Saints, I need to see Julian's pretty face again, before I go mad myself. Focusing on the present, I watch my words register across Topaz's elegant face. Closure. If Sapphire is to return to the real world, she needs to be able to exist there without fear. The thought of basically manipulating her into facing her deepest fears repulses him — especially since he's avoided her for weeks — but we both know that she won't listen to me alone.
"Fine," he mutters, "I'll speak with her about France, but I can't promise you anything."
"Thank you."
The idea sickens him, but his resolve is unwavering, and I'm certain he'll stay true to his word. Satisfied with this resolution, I am quick to dismiss myself from his presence. I worry most about Topaz eventually seeing through me, out of the four gemstones.
YOU ARE READING
Adelaide
Mystery / Thriller"My parents heard about James' mental state and worried it was a contagious disease that I would eventually succumb to as well. So, they sent me here, before I could end up where he is now. That certainly would've damaged their reputation." "You've...
