Page 37 of Dark Island: Rescue

"That sounds poetic."

"Blame the romance novels. They're rubbing off on me." Drova paused. "Don't you dare tell Ruvon who gave you the e-book or even the idea. Not him and not any of your sisters or cousins."

"Your secret is safe with me."

14

TULA

Tuesday morning crawled by with agonizing slowness. Tula tried to focus on the ancient manuscript she was supposed to be restoring, but her hands trembled as she applied the delicate preservation solution to the crumbling papyrus.

Tomorrow, Areana would call Annani, and everything would change.

Or nothing would change, and they'd all be trapped here forever.

"Careful." Sarah placed a hand over Tula's. "You're going to tear it. Maybe you should take a break."

"I'm fine." Tula set down the brush with exaggerated care. The manuscript might be valuable because it was so old, but it didn't contain anything worth preserving. How could she care about grain distributions in some long-dead city when her entire future hung in the balance?

Shrugging, Sarah returned to her table at the far end of the library.

"Let me see." Tamira moved to her workstation, pretending to examine her work. "You've been jumpy all morning," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Did Areana tell you something?"

"No." The lie came out sharper than intended.

"Don't lie to me." Tamira's eyes narrowed. "I see how you two look at each other," she whispered in Tula's ear. "Those meaningful glances. She has a plan, doesn't she?"

"I don't know anything." Tula turned back to the manuscript.

"Don't keep us in the dark," Tamira said. "We're in this together."

"I said I don't know anything." Tula closed her eyes in frustration. "She hasn't told me anything she didn't tell you. Just to be patient and act normal."

It was technically true.

Areana didn't know how Annani would react to her request, and if she would be willing to help. The secret communication device and the weekly call were secrets Tula would take to her grave if necessary.

Tamira's jaw clenched. "Patient. How can I be patient? And how can you be while your belly swells with every passing day?"

"Shh!" Raviki looked up from her worktable. "What are you two whispering about?"

"Nothing important," Tula said quickly. "Tamira is criticizing my work without providing any suggestions on how to improve it."

Raviki's expression said she didn't buy it, but she returned to her work. The library fell back into its usual rhythm—the soft scratch of brushes, the occasionalmurmur of conversation, the hum of the climate control system keeping the books and scrolls at optimal temperature and humidity.

But Tula couldn't concentrate. Her thoughts kept drifting to last night's dream. Esag's sad eyes. The way he'd looked at her like she was his only hope for what? Forgiveness? Understanding?

Why was he haunting her dreams? The morning dragged on.

Every time someone moved suddenly, Tula's heart raced, and by the time Areana announced they should prepare for lunch, Tula felt like she might vibrate out of her skin.

"Actually…" She stood and stretched. "I think I'll skip lunch and take a nap. I didn't sleep well last night."

It wasn't even eleven yet. The men wouldn't return from their duties for at least another hour, which meant Tony wouldn't be there to follow her to her room and insist on keeping her company.

Areana raised an eyebrow. "It's not even noon, dear. You should eat something first."

"I'm not hungry." Another lie. She was always hungry these days, the pregnancy demanding constant fuel. "I'm just exhausted." She turned to Tamira. "Could you bring a plate to my room? You know what I like."