Corrupt

Chapter 15

I awaken buried comfortably in my warm nest of duvet and pillows. Streaks of sunlight stream through the open curtains, causing me to squint.

What happened? Where am I?

"Morning, sleepyhead," says a familiar voice.

All the memories flood back, hitting me like a drunkard's punch.

Daeva.

I wonder whether they made it back okay with the storm.

Drea.

When I hear her voice, a part of me feels like weeping for joy.

I'm home.

"Morning," I murmur into my pillow. "What time is it?"

"Dunno. Let me check." The patter of footsteps across the floor. "Twenty past eleven."

I spring upward.

"What?!"

"Relax," Drea grins, pushing me back down. "Nikolas said that I could look after you for the morning. I let you sleep. I reckon you needed it, huh?"

"I did," I admit. "I haven't slept like that for ages."

"Where did you sleep? While you were... Away?"

"On a stone floor," I answer. It's almost the truth.

"You did not."

"I did. My back was in agony." Stretching out my weary muscles, I relish the sensation.

"I bet," Drea smiles softly, her eyes glowing with affection.

"Gosh, I missed you so much," I tell her honestly.

"I missed you too, Lynny," she replies. "Oh, speaking of which: the king requested you go speak to him once you're ready, and then he's going to call a meeting, a late Eskalis speech, where he can inform the castle of the events."

What will he do? What will he say? What should I do? What should I say?

Should I tell Daeva?

Deep down, hidden, a part of me wishes they were still here. They always knew what to do, which sarcastic comment to make. I turn away from Drea to face the window, staring out into the land beyond, wondering where Daeva might be hiding. Are they out there now? Is Jakob, or Nyx?

"Hello? Earth to Lynny?" Drea laughs. "I said, I saved you some breakfast."

"Oh, thanks," I respond quickly, trying to stop her suspicion.

I wish I could tell her everything. I wish I could tell anyone.

But I musn't.

I can't.

After inhaling some toast, I change into my usual plain pink dress and brush my hair, savouring the clean softness. Then, whilst Drea folds clothes, I scrawl a quick note on a piece of parchment.

"I guess I'd better go and find Nikolas."

"I'll see you at lunch?"

"Okay," I say, not meeting her eye. I don't know how contained my nerves are. I don't want her to see.

"Give him a kiss from me," she grins. I laugh, closing the door behind me.

Her words terrify me. I need to keep them apart. Just in case...

I slow to a halt ten paces down the hallway. It's horribly silent. I run my fingers down the wooden door of the room neighbouring my own. Hetty and Katie must've pushed it open hundreds of times. Never again. My heart breaks a little more.