“They could visit the herbal garden on the fourth level of the fort. Or they could find a patch of it growing wild behind the sixth level, just on the east side of the central gate.”
I tuck that knowledge away for later, tracing the flower design with my finger. “Tell me about the Deathless,” I say.
Nicolina glances over my shoulder at Henry, sitting at the bar on the other side of the room. “Yes, I hear that you know what he is—that you’ve been claimed.” She leans back in her chair and takes a sip of her tea. “They are both of life and death, more base and instinctual than humans, but not so wild as the Drained. So long as they feed regularly, they stay that way. They are stronger than humans and they heal faster, but they’re not indestructible.”
I stare down into my teacup. It’s good to know that they’re not all as strong as Henry. If Stefan is one of them, I need to be able to kill him. I’ll just need to ensure that I use a lot of poison.
“I have known Henry since he was a boy,” Nicolina says, glancing at him. “We do not always see eye to eye with his family, but he is a good man. He cares about this community and he has given a lot of himself to hold us together. I don’t always agree with his methods, but the difference between the Havenwoods and—” she searches for the words, “other leadership is that they welcome dissent. They let us speak freely and we are better as a people because of it.”
She pours both of us more tea.
“People forget that. Those stories aren’t often requested because they’re not pretty, but over the years, smaller, more extreme sects of our communities have broken off and tried to form their own societies,” Nicolina continues. “There were those who denied Divine Kennymyra because they knew that she empowers people to enjoy pleasure instead of feeling shame about it. They know that empowered women who have ownership over their pleasure don’t need partners. Instead of evolving and putting in the work to build healthy relationships, they wanted an excuse to trap women. And do you know what happened?”
I shake my head.
“They died off, because even though they convinced women to buy into those ideals, there was no equity or joy in those relationships, and there is no life without pleasure,” Nicolina explains. “When a community is built on removing access to information—from disempowering its people—there is no one to save them when a bigger threat rises. The first civilizations to fall are the ones where no one speaks truth to power, where every voice must be part of a chorus or be silenced. In our histories from the time before our nomadic clans, we know well that those who do not embrace the diversity of their communities are doomed to die out.”
I take a long sip of my tea and assess the old woman over the rim of my cup. She’s Stefan’s aunt. Though she bears a physical resemblance to him, even with her graying hair and her crinkling skin, her eyes are full of intelligence and understanding instead of rage.
“I see you,” Nicolina says. “They think you are a pawn in this game, but I think you’re a player.”
It’s genuine appreciation that compels me to reach over and take her hand. “Thank you, Nicolina. For being honest with me. I know you have no love for my family, but I appreciate the vital work you do.”
She sits a little straighter. “It’s an honor to be considered a source of wisdom by the heir and his wife. Quite a magnetic match you make.”
“Yes, like fire to tinder.” I go to draw my hand away, but she grips my wrist.
“Just be sure that you’re the fire and not the one being burned.” She casts a meaningful look in Henry’s direction.
I rise and press a hand to my heart. “Thank you, Nicolina. For sharing your stories and wisdom.”
Henry ushers me out of the Raining Star Bar with one last glare over his shoulder at Nicolina. The night is cold in an arresting way. It’s not very late for the streets to be so empty, but everyone is probably resting before the start of Dark Star Festival. The fort will have its own celebration.
The sky is so dark and clear here, especially before the eclipse starts tomorrow. I’ve never seen so many stars. The view makes me wish I were more eloquent so I could explain how it looks to Aidia—so I could remind her that the world outside the city walls is much more beautiful.
Henry’s arm is wrapped firmly around my waist. I don’t mind the closeness. I’m still not used to the cooler temperatures, especially at night.
A group of men is laughing and chatting outside of a bar up ahead of us. It’s not until we’re almost on top of them that I realize Stefan is among them. Of course he is. It’s like I’m being punished for having a singular thought that wasn’t about his swift death.
The group falls silent, and he sneers at us as we walk by. Once we’re past them, they break out into laughter.
As much as I’d like to take swift revenge on Stefan now, I just don’t have the time to do a sufficient job. We need to travel back to Lunameade tomorrow to be there in time for the start of Dark Star Festival. If we don’t leave then, we risk crossing the Drained Wood during a partial eclipse, and that would be a very bad idea since the Drained love the dark.
We continue the uphill walk in silence, but I can practically hear Henry wondering what I spoke to Nicolina about.
Finally, we walk through the front doors of Havenwood House and directly up the stairs to Henry’s bedroom.
I’m exhausted from the prospect of all that lies ahead of us in thenext few days, but as I turn to head through the closet to my room, Henry grabs my arm.
He tips his head forward, his dark hair falling over his forehead. His eyes are pleading. “It’s going to be a long few days. Do you trust me?”
I’m so startled by the question, I almost laugh. “Of course not.”
“Could you?”
I stare at him. I know this is an act. I know it down to my bones. But when I look at him, it feels real. It feels like he desperately wants me to say yes. And maybe he does. Maybe he just wants to be certain I’m not about to tell my parents what he is.
“Harlow?” He tilts my chin up. “Sleep in my bed.”
