Page 8 of Zenith Tower

He was quiet a moment. “I would have either way.”

Hale’s gaze moved briefly to mine. He did not rescue either of us from the conversation.

I set the cup down before I spilled it and rested my cheek against Kieran’s damp hair.

Caspian appeared in the doorway a little while later. His shirt was wrinkled, his coat was missing, and his hair was still damp at the temples.

Kieran noticed.

His eyebrow lifted, but whatever he saw in my face kept the comment behind his teeth.

Caspian crossed the room and crouched beside the basin. He looked at the green water, then at Kieran.

“What do you need?” he asked Hale.

“Fresh water. Something with salt if they’ll give it to us.”

Caspian stood. “I’ll find Marrow.”

“He’ll say no,” I said.

“Then he can say it more than once.”

He left before anyone could stop him.

Kieran watched the empty doorway. “Ashford is becoming alarmingly useful.”

Hale’s mouth twitched at one corner. “Fever’s affecting your judgment.”

Caspian returned with a pitcher, a second basin, and a covered bowl that smelled of broth. Marrow followed him into the room.

His attention moved over the bed, the cloudy water, Hale’s uncovered Mark, and my arm behind Kieran’s back. He showed no surprise.

“Joint review at the next bell,” he said. “All four of you.”

“He needs treatment,” I said.

Marrow looked at Kieran as if confirming he was still conscious. “The panel will determine what is required.”

“And if he gets worse before then?”

“Pull the cord beside the door.”

I looked. A thin black cord hung against the stone where the open door had hidden it.

“No one told us that was there.”

“Now you know.”

Marrow left. He did not close the door behind him.

For several seconds, none of us spoke.

Then Kieran said, “Charming place.”

Caspian poured fresh water into the clean basin. Hale replaced the cloth at Kieran’s neck, and I coaxed another mouthful from the cup into him.

We stayed that way until his breathing evened and his weight grew heavier against me. When he finally slept, Hale moved back to the chair. Caspian sat on the floor with one shoulder against the foot of the bed.