Page 38 of A Monarch's Fall

Hedging his bets is what he had told me before in the privacy of an enchanted suite. He was betting heavily on The New Foundation to win, but was willing to jump ship if necessary.

He wasn’t a fanatic. He was an opportunist.

We reached a set of stairs.

“May I help you descend the stairs? We are on the third floor, and there are many stairs,” he asked.

I gripped the cold metal banister.

“I’ve got it myself,” I told him stubbornly.

I didn’t want his help. I didn’t need it. I could get down a few stairs myself.

It was a long process.

A group of recruits stopped as we passed them at the landing of the lower floor. They had been talking; I heard them before we saw them, but they fell silent at the sight of us.

“Was it me or you that had a silencing effect?” I asked, trying not to breathe heavily or show the exertion of having to go one step at a time, like a small child. While I didn’t experience any pain while walking with the boot, when I tried to put my full body weight on my right leg on the first of many stairs, pain shot through my shin.

“I think a little of both. I’m the big bad landlord, and you’re the girl all the rumours are about,” he answered.

“Rumours?” I questioned.

He lifted an eyebrow.

“Your show of power at Sanguis Academy has travelled fast. Not to mention your place as the pet of the Princessand apparent importance to the Witching Division before your magical prowess made itself known. Who is the elusive pet oftheSelene Borealis, the flower girl the northern rebels are obsessed with, the outsider witch of Flores lineage? Everyone wants to know,” he told me.

I didn’t reply, knowing that others gossiped about me always made me feel uncomfortable.

“This would go a lot faster if you accepted my help,” he complained.

“I’d rather spend the rest of my life descending these stairs than accept your help, Arvid,” I told him.

“Lord Halvorsen, to you,” he corrected.

“The New Foundation doesn’t believe in the House system,” I replied.

“My title still stands,” he told me.

“Titles are for those deserving of them,” I told him in return.

He laughed, a deep chuckle.

“I like you, Percy. I understand the appeal,” he said.

“I don’t like you,” I replied.

“I think we’re going to be great friends, the best of allies,” he continued.

I didn’t reply. I wasn’t his friend, and we weren’t allies; it was an exchange. I provide him with information, and he helps me get off this base and back to Selene.

We had finally reached the end of the stairs, and I could see large glass exit doors.

“We’ll take one of the electric carts. It would take us many hours to cross the estate with you moving so slowly,” he told me, holding his arm out to guide me through the doors.

Outside was cold, and the green jumper I wore did little to protect me from the chill of the breeze.

“We still get winter in Halvorsen,” he told me as I pulled the sleeves of my jumper over my hands. “Thankfully, it’s far milder than what the northern Houses are currently facing.”