House of Marionne by Elle J

Author:Elle, J. [Elle, J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance
ISBN: 9780593527702
Amazon: 0593527704
Goodreads: 61745561
Publisher: Razorbill
Published: 2023-08-29T07:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-FOUR

The cafeteria is too crowded, so after we grab our food, I ask about checking out a glass building just past the gardens.

“The conservatory is off-limits, so we should have privacy.”

“Then how can we get in?”

He dangles a ring of keys, and I remember he oversees security.

The conservatory is a tapestry of flowers and herbs. Delicate white flowers cover plots on the ground, and winding greens hug its windowed perimeter. Above, light pours through its glossed windows, the sun chasing away any lingering chill of morning. We stop near a pair of stone benches next to a fountain of a mother and two girls hugged against her legs.

I settle on the seat with him but not quite next to him. I need my head on straight if I’m going to get through this lunch without raising his suspicion. Distance is good. He pulls a bag of colorful candies from his pocket and pops a green one in his mouth.

“You’re going to eat that before your actual food?”

He bites into his lunch. “There, happy?”

“I was just asking. It’s weird, right? To go from sweet to savory like that? I don’t know.”

He gazes off in the distance somewhere. “We weren’t allowed sugar growing up.”

A laugh that’s more shock than amusement spills out. “Wait, are you serious?”

He pulls another bag of candy out of his pocket and shows me two more in his leather satchel. He pours candies into his hands and I expect him to offer me some, but he doesn’t.

“I’m not actually hungry yet either.” I pull my dagger out of my bag and pile the twentysomething stones I have next to it. I don’t have time to waste.

He glances up at my diadem. “You know, I’m not sure if I’ve said it, but you’re very impressive, Quell. Your level of ability is quite rare. It’s been incredible watching you come into your magic.”

“You have a funny way of showing it.” I pluck one of the smaller stones from the pile and ease it onto my dagger.

He looks off again, and it’s like he’s somewhere else entirely.

I slide my hand over my blade and summon warmth to my fingertips. The teal stone bubbles down into the dagger without too much trouble. I grab another. “How can you tell?” I ask, trying to bring him back from wherever he’s run off to.

“I can sense it. Are you feeling more ready for the exam?”

“I’ll be ready. I’d actually like to get out of here as fast as I can.”

That swivels his head around, back to me.

“What?” I ask, pressing another stone to my dagger. This one melts in slower than the ones before it, but it still goes, the metal shimmering yellow once finished. I grab a couple more.

“I can’t imagine itching to leave this place.” He parts his lips but closes them again.

“And why is that?” I ask, unable to bury my curiosity.

He lets the silence swell before speaking. “I’ve been groomed to be a Dragun since I was very young.” He faces me, and for a moment I consider scooting closer to him.

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