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January 10 - January 12, 2023
“We simply can’t allow ourselves to be enemies,” cut in Thorn. “You’re making my life difficult with your resentment; it’s imperative that we become reconciled. I’m not permitted to enter the Gynaeceum; meet me at the Treasury, insult me, slap me, smash a plate over my head if you feel like it, and then let’s never speak of it again. Name your day. This Thursday would suit me. Let’s say . . .” The sound of hastily turned pages could be heard in the ear trumpet. “Between eleven-thirty and twelve. Shall I put you down on my schedule?”
“Insult me, slap me, smash a plate over my head if you feel like it” is giving major Cardan vibes and I LOVE IT
“I appoint you Vice-storyteller,” declared Farouk. “I’m already Vice-storyteller.” “Oh? Perfect, so we’ll avoid any unnecessary paperwork.”
“You still want my opinions and my advice, miss? Here’s my opinion: you’re in urgent need of advice. And here’s my advice: always listen to my opinion.”
“I would never do you any harm.” Thorn had interrupted her with such abrupt spontaneity, Ophelia was knocked sideways. For the first time in a long while, she believed in his sincerity.
“I’m going to bed. Don’t forget your promises.” “I won’t forget. I never forget anything.”
“And you, do you still hate me?” “I don’t think so. Not anymore.” “Good,” Thorn grunted between his teeth. “Because I’ve never made such an effort not to be hated by someone.”
Thorn leant over, in a sustained vertebral extension, but he didn’t return the watch to her. Instead, he placed his mouth on hers.
“What’s going on here?” Thorn had just appeared at the foot of the lighthouse in a flapping of black coat. It took him one second to capture the scene, and another to draw his pistol. He aimed it first at Gail, then at Fox, then at Philibert. “Which of them put you in that state?” he asked Ophelia.
It wasn’t Thorn who needed her. It was she who needed Thorn.
“When I told you that you had a preternatural predisposition to disasters, it wasn’t an invitation to prove me right.”
Ophelia contemplated the hot darkness she was nestled in. At that second, she finally knew with absolute certainty where her place was. It wasn’t in the Pole, it wasn’t on Anima. It was precisely where she was now. At Thorn’s side.
“Try your dears,” the liftboy repeated. “I mean, dry your tears. What’s done is done and what must be done will be done.”
“The first time I saw you, I formed a very poor opinion of you. I thought you had no common sense and no character, and wouldn’t make it to the marriage. That will forever remain the biggest mistake of my life.”
Thorn swallowed against her shoulder. “Oh, and by the way, I love you.”
