Jonas~~

            Elisana eventually finds a Konkursi to let her in, and when she tumbles inside, she's out of breath as if she ran all the way from Borilia to Gadfrie, and I almost snort. I'd like to see that.

Now I'm starting to sound like Colton.

Percy's tucked himself in a corner, arms crossed, eyes ever watching as if he's removed himself from the situation and is an outside observer.

"I know you have no reason to believe anything I have to say."

"You don't say," Colton drawls.

"But I truly wish you no harm. I was only doing what my father ordered."

Colton takes a step forward. "Which was to spy on us and then stab Jonas and Iris in their sleep?"

"Only the spying part." She turns to me. "I never meant for you to get hurt."

"Then you're telling me you didn't know about Ean's assignment?"

She clamps her mouth shut, and I sigh.

"What about the Head Order do you need to tell us?"

"They're coming here. They'll be in attendance tomorrow night. They don't want you getting Gadfrie's vote."

A hand clenches around my heart. It isn't as if I didn't expect this possibility, but still I hoped everything would go smoothly. "And how do they intend to do that? By killing us?"

"I don't think they would. It would risk angering the Society. But they can do a lot that doesn't involve you dying. You already know that."

Iris grabs hold of my arm, stepping close to me. "They've already punished us and let us go."

"They clearly didn't think you'd win over the rest of the Orders," Percy says, and Elisana's eyes flick to him for a mere second. "This time we'll be expecting them. We won't let them hurt you." It's true I wasn't expecting the arrest on my wedding. Our Veil easily outnumbered the Amorians who came with Alastair. They could have stopped us from being taken. But if we had resisted, Amoria would have only sent more of them and probably soldiers too.

Elisana's expression wavers, and she bites her lip.

"What?" I ask.

"It's not as simple as only protecting you. Borilia will be certain no one will be able to interfere."

"So Gadfrie is on their side?"

"Gadfrie always chooses the safest side."

Colton comes alongside her and ushers her to the door. "You've said what you needed to say and you're clearly going to be no more help. You can go."

Elisana digs her heels into the ground, but Colton keeps moving, and his arm slams into her back, sending her stumbling. Percy takes a step forward but collects himself and stops.

The Tresais's daughter rights herself and looks back at me. "I know you don't trust me. I really do want you to succeed. I didn't think I had any choice but to obey my father and the Order."

Colton works his jaw. "Whatever you are—or whoever you are—your little friendship speech isn't going to get you a room in here. Gadfrie can find you another."

"I know that. I just"—her eyes drift to Percy—"please don't hate me."

Percy looks away, the muscles in his neck tensing as he swallows.

"We all hate you. Get over it." Colton tries the handle, but the door doesn't budge. He curses.

"I'll call for a Konkursi." Iris excuses herself.

The rest of us stand in silence until Andrew crosses the room and plops down on a chaise. "I don't get why she can't stay. You all hate me, right? And yet here I am."

Warmth creeps along my neck. "Do you find it amusing what you did?"

"The bombs? No. But I did what I had to do if I wanted to save Elleany."

"You didn't always think I would end up being a villain."

"Because I used to be one of you. And it's not as if we spent much time together. You had your favorite family members and . . . what was his name? Brydan?"

My hands curl into fists.

"He hurt you too? Didn't he?"

I want to flee to my bedroom even while every part inside of me feels like it's recoiling—caving in on itself.

"How do you know about that?" Colton snaps. "You weren't even there."

"Erik told me."

Basile comes toward Andrew and places a hand on his arm. "That's enough. Please."

"Is it? It's not as if any of them will ever understand why I did it, even if I tell them a hundred times."

"Do you expect me to?" My body tightens. "Because I was your target."

"And you think that you aren't a bad guy? If you're so much better than the last Order, why are the borders still closed? Because you're scared people hate Elleany so much they'll run?" I stay silent as his words strike true. "Why are babies still being Marked? Are you so weak a leader that you feel you must rule by fear? You're—"

"I was going to stop requiring them."

Percy sucks in a sharp breath, and Colton's eyes widen, the room going silent. Iris walks back in and looks around as if confused, but she must know. She must have heard me. Heard everything.

"Our wedding pictures were going to reveal Iris's Mark," I continue. "Elleany was going to know that she's Expired. I was preparing the proposal for our next Senate meeting after we'd return from our honeymoon. It wouldn't have done away with them but would have made them optional."

Colton steps away from Elisana. "Amoria would never have been okay with that."

"I was prepared to deal with them." I want to grab onto something. My legs feel like mush as if I suddenly have a fear of public speaking. "I expected them to find out about me being Expired, but I thought I had more time."

"So you think you can rule without fear?" Andrew asks.

"I'd like to win them over."

"That's idealistic of you."

"I'm not who you think I am, Andrew. At least I don't want to be that person."

"And the borders?"

"I was working on it." I look at Percy, remembering our deal about the Olympics.

There's a knock on the door, and a moment later it's opened by a Konkursi who bows to us. "Ms. Moretti?" he addresses Elisana. "I'm here to show you to your room for the evening."

Elisana starts to follow him but hesitates before looking back at us once more. "I do wish you all the best."

The moment the door is closed, Colton rounds on me. "You shouldn't have said that in front of her. She'll tell the Head Order what you had planned and what you would do if they let you make it back."

I hold his stare, his blue eyes blazing. "You're probably right, but frankly I don't care anymore." I offer my hand to Iris, and she places hers on top of it. "Now unless there are any more questions about my character, I think we'll be off to bed." I look around but no one says anything. "No? Well then, this time I mean it: goodnight."

*****

When I open my eyes, there's enough light to know it's day but not enough to chase away the shadows draped over our room. Iris snores softly beside me, and a quick check of the clock reveals it's almost midday. I rarely sleep in but based on how soundly I slept even with everything weighing on my mind, I needed it. I don't have the heart to wake Iris. Let her get the sleep she needs.

But as comfortable as I am, tucked underneath layers of blankets, my stomach grumbles. Pulling myself out of bed, I immediately miss the warmth of the blankets. I'm tempted to crawl back under them, but if Borilia decides to do whatever the hell it is they want to do then I need food in me.

A few minutes later, I open my bedroom and find platters a Konkursi must have brought, each with a different kind of breakfast food. Most are almost empty. Especially the one with sausage, and the fruit doesn't look very fresh.

Andrew's the only one in the common space. He doesn't look up as he puts a piece of toast on his plate. "The food's good."

"Glad to hear it."

I must be a terrifying figure in the way he views me. Did I really help aid in creating that image? I thought we were on good terms up until he set the bombs off. But I guess he hid his feelings well.

Now what does he think? Does he believe what I said last night?

He scoops a serving of eggs on his plate. "Sleep well?"

"The best that can be expected."

He grunts reaching for the syrup.

My stomach growls, but everything in me wants to turn back into the bedroom and climb under the covers. But why should I turn and flee? This was my room before his. I never wanted to hurt him.

"Where did you have your wedding?"

He jerks his head up, shock painting his features. That seems a bit of an overreaction. "That's what you ask me?"

"Would you rather I make small talk about the weather when I know you can't venture outside?"

He sighs. "I'd rather we just not talk."

I pick up one of the few remaining plates. "Very well." I scoop some eggs and fruit onto it and grab a glass bottle of water from a cold box—basically a glorified cooler.

"It was in a garden."

I glance up, but he focuses on grabbing napkins.

"Just so you know," he adds.

"That sounds nice."

He shrugs. "Sure." After he grabs a fork, he disappears into the room he shares with Basile.

Not wanting to disturb Iris, I sink down onto one of the chaises to eat my breakfast—or really brunch at this point. Can it really be considered brunch if you're eating alone though?

It's no surprise that the food is cold. Gadfrie really has the temperature lowered this morning. Where is everyone else? Surely, they've ate based on the minimal food left. So are they really hiding in their rooms because they don't know what to say? I'm sure Vienna was thrilled by what I said about Marks and wouldn't have a reason to avoid me, but Colton was upset and I'm sure still is.

I set my plates in a bin filled with dirty dishes and bring the water bottle with me into the bedroom. Iris is still deep asleep, curled on her side, the blankets tucked up around her neck and wrapped in her fist. I hope she's having good dreams and that she's not plagued by nightmares. I don't even remember what I dreamed about.

I slip under the covers as gently as possible so not to wake her. She doesn't even stir. Until I have to get ready for the ball, I have nothing I can do besides dread meeting with Gadfrie and Borilia.

So, I'll go back to sleep and imagine that Iris and I have no worries. That I'm the type of person who occasionally gets to sleep in. That I'm not about to see all that I've been working towards fall apart in a matter of moments.

*****

It's sometime later when I open my eyes again, and within seconds Iris rolls over and faces me.

"Hey," she says, her eyes bleary.

"Sleep well?"

She nods, stretching her neck.

"There might still be some breakfast out there. Or lunch at this point."

"I'm not sure if I can eat."

"You need your strength. Even if everything goes smoothly, you don't want to faint during a dance."

"Maybe the Order will take pity on me." She pushes back the covers and gets out of bed before disappearing in the bathroom. The closet door, where inside the suit and dress are hung, seems to draw in all the light from the room until everything is blurry but the door. It's like it's taunting me. I've been to plenty of balls before. I love dancing. I hate that I'm now filled with dread at the thought of one.

After Iris exits the bathroom, she ends up grabbing food from the living area. This time the fruit looks fresher. The flaky bread of our sandwiches is buttery, not dry.

"What if . . . here me out"—she stabs a strawberry with a fork—"what if Gadfrie's balls are just a bunch of water aerobics?"

I cock my head, trying not to laugh. "In that case, they should have provided us with swimsuits, don't you think?"

Once we're both finished with our meal, Iris takes a shower, and when she gets out, I step in as she sets about doing her makeup and styling her hair.

When I exit the bathroom, I find Iris staring out the window at the water separated from us by the clear wall. A bed of sand fills the stretch of space between the window and wall. The water sparkles in the sunlight.

She's already wearing her dress for tonight, but her hair is missing her laurel wreath crown that's packed in her bag. When she shifts, I see her feet are bare.

I wrap my arms around her and rest my chin on her shoulder.

She sighs, covering my hands with her own. "What do you think the Head Order will do? Do you think they've already spoken with Gadfrie's Order?"

"I'm sure they've spoken, and whatever they have planned, Gadfrie will be aware of it."

"I don't want to finish getting ready."

"Me neither."

But we do. As we both knew we would. The last thing we do before stepping out of the bedroom is to place our laurel wreaths on our heads and secure them. It will probably only tick off the Head Order.

The rest of our party is waiting in the common space when we enter. They've also been given outfits for the ball. Vienna wears a silver gown with something like fishnet stretched across the bodice, while Percy and Colton are in twin suits, Colton's jacket purple with black embroidery and Percy's the inverse. Andrew wears a sea foam green suit and Basile wears one in salmon.

Colton grimaces. "I look terrible."

Percy adjusts the sleeves of his own jacket. "Speak for yourself."

There are three knocks on the door before it opens revealing Ean in his Veil uniform. "Elisana spoke to you?"

I come forward. "Yes."

"My Father's arrived with the rest of Borilia's Order."

Iris places her hand in mine. "Then let's go greet them."      

What do you think Gadfrie's decision will be? And remember they have three decisions to make; though, technically they've already made their decision about Rydersin.