Page 26 of Zenith Tower

Whatever the similarity was, the Tower had recognized it quickly. I wondered how many other residents had been examined because of what happened around an Untethered Mark, whether my mother had ever been among them, and why Marrow cared where I looked.

“Delphine carved Sadie’s initials after the Hall erased her,” I said. “If Sadie was brought here, Delphine may have followed.”

“Which gives you another reason to return to that room.”

I looked up. “I already had one.”

“You nearly got caught tonight.”

“And Kieran nearly died while Marrow was deciding where to file his measurements.”

The bond tightened between us. Caspian’s anger reachedme before it showed in his face, hot and controlled. Jealousy came with it, quick and bitter.

“Say it,” I told him.

He turned toward the blank wall where the Tower had painted the suggestion of a window. “You went into that archive knowing what Marrow threatened to do if you were caught. Now you mean to go back. When Kieran collapsed, I felt your fear through the bond, and I know why you can’t leave this alone. But I need you to remember that losing you would matter too.”

“Caspian, I haven’t forgotten you.”

“I know.” His hands closed at his sides. “I know you chose me. I’m jealous anyway.”

I had expected him to hide behind concern for my safety. The direct admission left me quiet.

I crossed the room and stopped in front of him. He did not reach for me.

“I thought those were Kieran’s last minutes,” I said. “I couldn’t get through the door or help him breathe. The only thing he asked of me was to protect the record he spent years making. I saved the original, but they still have enough to use him. They put his record there because of my Mark.”

“That doesn’t make it your fault, Astra.”

I pressed my fingers to my eyes. The anger had kept me moving through the archive. Without it, I could see Kieran behind the infirmary glass again, his hand loose beside him and the green-gold light spreading into his chest.

“I’m afraid I’m going to lose him,” I said.

Caspian’s expression changed, but he remained still.

“That doesn’t mean I regret bonding with you.” I lowered my hands. “You aren’t what I settled for because Kieran is ill. I chose you because I wanted you. I still do.”

I let the bond open fully. His hands loosened.

“And Kieran?” he asked.

“I want him,” I said. “I’m afraid for him. We’ve never hadenough time to find out what that means, and I won’t lie about it to make this easier.”

“I didn’t ask you to.” Caspian touched the inside of my wrist, directly over the line that belonged to him. “I believe you. I still don’t like it.”

Footsteps approached in the corridor before I could answer. Caspian dropped his hand and moved between the door and the bed as the latch turned.

Hale entered alone. Fatigue had hollowed the skin beneath his eyes, but his shoulders were no longer drawn as tightly as they had been when he left.

I went to him. “What happened?”

“His fever has broken. His breathing has held steady since the last draught, and the strength is returning to his right hand.”

I gripped the bedpost.

“Can we see him?” Caspian asked.

“Not tonight. If there is no further decline, they’ll remove the monitoring lines in the morning.” Hale looked at Kieran’s waiting bed. “They expect to send him back after that.”