“He’s not just our friend, he’s the current leader of the Ruined,” Aren said. “What are the Ruined going to do without him?”
“They’re going to keep crossing into Olso, like they were ordered,” Iria said. “Just because he isn’t there doesn’t mean everything will fall apart. They know what to do. Right now, it’s more important for you both to stay calm and not give yourselves away.”
Aren gave Em a pained expression, like it physically hurt him to agree with Iria. She was right, of course. Mary wouldn’t care at all about a Ruined being captured. In fact, she’d probably go down there and kill him herself.
“The Ruined killed Mary’s parents. She’d be at least a little upset to have one in the castle,” Em said. “Maybe I can use that as an excuse to talk to Damian. Say I want to find out if he was the one who killed them?”
“Or I can try to get down there.” Aren frowned in thought. “Maybe I can find a way to break him out.”
“Maybe,” Iria said. “I wouldn’t do it at the expense of our plan, though.”
It’s unfortunate, but there are bigger things at stake here. The words Aren had said only a few minutes ago ran through her head, and she could tell he was thinking of them as well. It had been different when they didn’t know who it was. When it wasn’t their best friend.
“We’ll think of something,” she said firmly. “We’re not going to let him die.”
Cas was nowhere to be found that morning and through the afternoon. No one Em asked had seen him, and it appeared Galo was missing as well. They must have snuck out again.
She spent the afternoon circling the castle, hoping to run into Jovita or the king and queen, but they were behind closed doors all day. She wasn’t sure she wanted to ask them for permission to see Damian anyway. She had a better chance with Cas.
The staff let her wait in his office after they found her pacing in front of his door for the fifth time. She settled into the chair in the far corner and stared up at the rows of books.
He finally walked through the door as the sun was setting in the window behind her. He was shoeless and carrying a book, a surprised expression crossing his face when he spotted her.
She jumped to her feet, glancing down at his knuckles. Of course they weren’t bruised. Whatever they’d done to Damian, they’d had the guards do it for them.
She barely held back from curling her lip in disgust.
“I hope you don’t that mind I waited for you,” she said.
“Not at all. I was upstairs reading. I wanted some time to think.” He dropped the book on the table, sliding his hands into his pockets.
“Oh. I looked everywhere for you.”
“It’s a hidden room upstairs. I’ll show it to you sometime.” He smiled. “Did you need something?”
“I heard about the Ruined you captured. You’ve seen him?”
He nodded slowly, an emotion she couldn’t identify flickering across his face.
“What—what happened? Why is he here?”
“My father wants information.”
She twisted her fingers together, her stomach churning. What kind of torture were they inflicting on Damian?
“Don’t worry, you’re safe,” Cas said. “We’ve been draining him of his power.”
“Are you going to see him?” she asked. Perhaps she could casually tag along.
“No, we have that dinner tonight.”
“Dinner?”
“My father wanted to throw a celebration for the hunters before he sends them back.” He gestured to his shoulder, where Em could barely make out a bandage beneath his white shirt. “Trying to appease them, so they won’t attempt to kill me.”
She’d completely forgotten about the stupid dinner. She let out a long sigh. “I guess I should go get dressed.”
“I’ll meet you outside your room in half an hour?” Cas’s lips curved up. She quickly turned away, wondering if she’d be able to avoid looking at him for the rest of her time in the castle. It wasn’t fair that such a terrible person had that smile.
“Half an hour,” she said as she rushed out of the room.
Davina helped her into a red dress with a slit in one leg almost to her hip, then pulled a few strands of hair back in thin braids. The rest of her hair hung loose. The maid dusted powder on her cheeks and rubbed bright-red cream on her lips.
“There,” she said, standing back to admire her work. “You look lovely. The queen will be very happy.”
Em sighed. She did look lovely, but she was tempted to spread some dirt on her face just to spite the queen.
Cas appeared at her door right on time, his eyes sweeping over her as she stepped out of her rooms. His fingers brushed against her wrist, sending sparks up her arm, and she almost jerked it away.
“You look beautiful.” He seemed like he might want to take her hand, so she quickly crossed her arms over her chest and started down the hallway.