A Dark and Starless Night

Chapter Twenty-Five

As Eve stepped out of the sun and into the much cooler jail, she gave a slight smile to the man who brushed passed her, dipping his head in greeting. He was small and round and sweating profusely. He had a folder of papers under his arm, some of them sticking out and getting stained with his sweat.

Eve had a sudden uneasy feeling as she looked at him, as if he was a bad omen or an unlucky sight. She quickly signed in, the guard chatting to her about the weather. He was new, or at least she'd never met him before, and he was professional and courteous. He let her into Don's cell, and Eve gave a start to see Don's cheek was bruised and his lip was split.

"What in the name of the stars happened to you?" she asked, rushing over to him to peer at his face.

"Shout when you're done," the guard mumbled, but he didn't look at her, avoiding the glare she gave him.

"Don't worry about it, Eve," Don said, getting up from his bed to sit at the desk. He gestured for Eve to sit on the bed. "What brings you here today?"

"You," she barked, giving him a hard look. "Who did that to you?"

"I fell," he said, a wry smirk on his lips.

She shook her head angrily. "Was it that sweaty man?"

Don laughed. "That's my new lawyer."

"Excuse me?" Eve asked, blinking at him. "What happened to the lawyer Rik recommended?"

"Eve..."

"Don't 'Eve' me. Are you trying to lose this case?"

"Don't worry about it," he said, firmly. "Please."

"I'm not going to let you hang for something you didn't do."

"And how would you know if I did or didn't do it?"

She looked at him, unable to speak for a heartbeat. She knew, because she'd nearly been murdered by the culprits. But she didn't tell him that. Instead she took in a measured breath and met his eyes.

"Because you've never once set foot in the Sea Lily. You didn't know either Nadia or Queenie. And if you were the type to murder those you argued with at court, Ned would've been dead a long while ago."

He huffed a weak laugh, leaning back in his chair. "Eve," he breathed, rubbing his face, his voice thin. "Ned is determined. There's... there's no winning this." He exhaled slowly, and she could see the emotions filling his eyes. "All I can hope for is... I don't know. Life in prison? Is that something to hope for?"

"Why does he want to do this?" Eve said, feeling a well of guilt open up inside her. She breathed carefully.

Was it her fault? Was it her utter rejection of him? Had he come here after her run in with him the other day, when she had ruined his plan? She opened her mouth to vocalise, but Don stopped her.

"It's more likely that he simply wants me out of the way. The king was about to name me an advisor."

That would have made him the youngest advisor in recorded history. Eve opened her mouth to congratulate him, but shut her mouth just as quickly. That was unlikely to happen now. Even if she proved Don's innocence, would the king be brave enough to name a man accused of murder as an advisor?

"If Ned is smart, he'll find a way to fill that position," Don said.

"Do you think he's just taking advantage of the situation?" Eve mused, shifting on the mattress, which was too firm for her liking but more comfortable than she would have imagined. Prison wouldn't be so luxurious.

"He's certainly an opportunist. Now, I insist we talk about more pleasant things. Tell me what your plans are for the day?"

She obliged him, but didn't tell him about her new found powers. It would bring too any questions. While they talked about mindless things, she let her mind wander back to that question.