“From who?” Andre asked, growing impatient.
Merletta and Sage exchanged a glance. “You might want to sit down,” Sage said.
Andre did so, his eyes riveted to Merletta’s face as she told him about the guards’ survival, and the truth behind their attempted murders. By the time she was finished, his face was ashen, and he seemed to be struggling for words.
“But this is…”
“Huge,” Merletta supplied, nodding.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled they’re alive,” Andre said quickly. “But…it’s confirmation of all our worst fears, isn’t it? About the Center, and land sickness, and…well, everything.” His eyes traveled to Merletta’s face, suddenly losing their dazed look. “You’ve known this for three weeks. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“We didn’t want to distract you from your test,” Sage hedged.
But Merletta shook her head. “No, Sage, he deserves honesty. It wasn’t just that. The truth is I was worried you would tell your father—I know he’ll want to know that August is alive—and I don’t know whether he can be trusted with the information. It’s not a claim to be made lightly, that the guards who supposedly sacrificed themselves for the good of the triple kingdoms were actually targeted by the Center for seeing too much.”
Andre was silent again, his expression troubled. Merletta didn’t press him. She could see that he grasped the point, and she didn’t think it would help anyone for her to drive it home.
“I’ve been spending most days with them,” she said. “On—at the island. And today I told August that I thought I’d found a way to tell his wife about his survival without anyone being suspicious that I’d gone looking for her.”
Andre’s eyes traveled once again to her face, his expression telling her that his thoughts were still catching up.
“I was hoping that your celebration might be that way,” Merletta prompted.
“My…what?” Andre asked vaguely.
“Your celebration tomorrow,” Merletta said. “If Eloise is going to be there, and if…if I could be there, too, then I could speak to her about August. And no one would think I’d sought her out especially.”
Sage fidgeted beside her, and Andre’s eyes were drawn to the movement, his mind finally seeming to put the pieces together.
“You want to come to my celebration?” His voice turned hopeful as his eyes returned to Sage. “Did your family invite Merletta, as their guest?”
Sage shifted again, looking as uncomfortable as Merletta had ever seen her. “No. I did suggest the idea, but my mother…well…she didn’t…”
“You did?” Merletta stared at Sage. She was grateful to know her friend had tried to include her, but a pang still went through her at the result. Sage’s mother had always been perfectly pleasant toward her guest. Why didn’t she want Merletta to join them at Andre’s birthday event?
“I see,” said Andre, sounding disappointed. “So you want…you want me to invite you, Merletta?”
Merletta’s scales rustled as she wriggled on the stone seat where she’d settled. She’d never felt so pathetic, begging for an invitation.
“I know I’m not as…as refined as the rest of the guests probably will be,” she said. “And the last thing I want to do is to push in where I’m not wanted. The honest truth is that I just can’t think of a better way to speak with Eloise.”
“No, don’t be silly,” said Andre quickly, looking stricken. “You’re my friend, Merletta, I don’t care how…how refined you are. It’s just…”
He exchanged a glance with Sage but didn’t continue.
“Just what?” Merletta asked, more uncomfortable than ever.
“Just nothing,” said Andre staunchly, apparently reaching a decision. “I’d love to have you there. And you’re right, it is a good opportunity to speak to her surreptitiously.”
“Are…are you sure?” Merletta asked uncertainly.
“Of course I’m sure,” said Andre, his voice a little more gruff than usual. “I’ll tell my parents. And…” He hesitated, biting his lip. “And I’ll keep the other thing to myself for now. If you’re going to tell Eloise tomorrow, perhaps it’s for her to decide what to do about it.”
Without waiting for a response, he rose into the water and led them back through his house.
“Are you girls leaving already?” his mother asked, as they emerged into the now clear dining hall. “I didn’t even get the chance to introduce myself.”
“Mother, this is Sage of the Skulssted Clearfoams, and Merletta, both trainees from the program,” Andre said, the words running together in his haste. “And you’ll get the chance for more conversation tomorrow, if you wish. They’re both coming to the celebration.”