Page 58

We spend apainful number of hours sitting in that room, going over the battles that occurred in each respective kingdom. And just when I think we’re all about ready to wrap things up, we recap things all over again. And again.

In the countless hours that have passed (there’s no sense of time here, just endless midday sun baring down on the palace), I’ve managed to throw back an alarming amount of that emerald alcohol.

“Well, I think that’s it for now,” Janus says, rising to his feet. He looks at me with laughing eyes.

I give him a quizzical look, then turn to Des, who’s biting back a grin as he stands.

Why do I feel like I’ve totally missed the joke?

I push out of my chair, staggering, then nearly falling.

Whoo. Too much alchy. Act normal.

“Cherub?” Des asks, grasping my forearm.

“Hmm?”

At least the godforsaken meeting is finally over.

“It’sgodsforsaken here,” Janus says. “We have more than one god.”

Whoops—I said that out loud?

“You did,” Janus says.

Damnit. Shut up, mouth.

Now the Day King’s lips twitch.

“I’m still thinking out loud, aren’t I?” I say.

“C’mon, baby siren,” Des says, escorting me out of the room. “You had fun with that liquor, didn’t you?”

Janus calls out from behind us, “Why don’t we meet again first thing tomorrow—”

Ewww, no moregodsforesaken meetings. Pleaseandthankyou.

“Callypso Lillis, your attendance is optional,” he says.

Fuck on a ferry, I’m still thinking out loud.

“Desmond,” Janus continues, “you’ll both be staying in your usual rooms. I trust you can find your way to them?”

“We can,” Des says.

“Good. Then you two have a pleasant evening—and please feel free to use any of the royal amenities while you’re here. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Bye-bye,” I say over my shoulder, waving to Janus. “Oh, and sorry for insulting you … and glamouring you.” Even as I say it, my skin flickers, brightening and dimming at random.

Uh oh. Just how drunk am I?

“Very,” Des says, leading me out into the hallway.

I groan. “Why didn’t you stop me from drinking?”

He huffs out a laugh. “I did that once, back in Malibu. Remind me again how well that went over?”

I let out a giggle that ends in a hiccup. “I wassomad.” Mad enough to throw my entire liquor supply at him.