A Dark and Starless Night

Chapter Forty

Eve didn't know how many days passed as she lay there in bed, huddled under the covers. She couldn't find the energy to eat, managing to get some fluids down, could barely make it to the privy to relieve herself.

Several times – she couldn't say how many for certain – she heard a knock on the front door of the house, but she simply burrowed deeper under the blanket, covering her ears to block out the sound. She had mastered blocking out the sounds so well that she didn't notice someone was standing at the end of her bed until the blanket was ripped away from her.

Ali stood at the end of the bed, dressed in blue and silver, her hands on her hips as the blanket fell to the ground. Eve glared at her, squinting against what was probably mid-morning sun.

"It's been three days since we've heard from you," she said. "You haven't answered your door. I had to have someone track your old maid to get a spare key. She's also worried sick about you, if you cared to know. And you have several letters from the jail waiting for you downstairs."

"I really don't care, Ali," Eve said, reaching for the blanket where it lay on the ground. Only Ali was quicker and moved it out of her reach.

"Get up. Get washed. And come downstairs in clothes suitable for the outside world. If you're not downstairs in thirty minutes, I'll be back up to help."

She turned and stomped down the stairs, her short heels clicking against the marble with considerable force. And she took the duvet with her.

Eve sat on the edge of the bed, feeling a little lightheaded as she moved to stand. She did as instructed, although she kept it as easy for her as possible. She washed simply, not going to the lengths she would normally. She didn't want to expend the energy of washing her hair, but knew that Ali wouldn't be satisfied if she wasn't thoroughly clean. She dressed plainly, pulling on leggings and a tunic that were both nondescript. She pulled on her simplest shoes and left her wet hair loose.

Downstairs, Ali was in the kitchen with an assortment of food.

"Eat," she demanded, pointing at the pastries and fruits on the table.

Eve sat, feeling exhausted already. She wished she was back upstairs in the comfort of her bed. But she did as she was told and ate. Slowly and methodically, trying not to give in to the nausea. She drank more than she ate, the tea much more palatable than the food.

"We're going shopping once your done," Ali said, pouring Eve another cup of tea.

"I don't need to go shopping."

"You most certainly do. You need to get a present for Rik. I've also got you scheduled for a fitting because you need a new dress for Rik's birthday. Don't argue with me, Eve," she said, when Eve opened her mouth. You can't stay here inside for the rest of your life."

I can try.

"Stop it," Ali snapped, as if reading Eve's thoughts. "What happened is not your fault. You can't control the actions of others. Besides, things are not as bleak as they seem."

"A man is dead because of me. I led them to him. It's as simple as that."

"No. The murderer is responsible," she said, her blue eyes fierce. "Not you. Not anyone else. Except maybe Ned. He must be tied up in this somehow."

Eve believed the same thing, but it hardly mattered now.

"I'm tired, Ali."

"Well, you can sleep when we're done."

Ali dragged Eve across Teryon, at least the chic parts of it. They went into antique shops, clothes shops, even a blacksmith's. And she did find Rik a present. A beautiful dagger of obsidian stone, like black glass, with a hilt of white gold. She had never seen anything like it and as she had run her fingers over the shapes engraved in the handle, she had felt like nothing else would do for Rik. It was unique and beautiful and the antiquities dealer had assured her that no one else could gift him something even a little similar.