Page 94 of Down Comes the Night

Thirty minutes had never passed so slowly.

After the toast, Wren floated somewhere above her body, numb and uncomprehending, as Barrett explained to her the finer points of a military-issued flintlock—of which, he assured her, he had many. Wine and conversation flowed so readily, she feared she’d administered the drug incorrectly. But then Lowry began to sag, unable to bear the weight of his own skull. She watched him eagerly over the brim of her glass.

It was only when he hauled himself upright and muttered something about fresh air that Barrett stopped yammering. “You look awful, Alistair. Are you alright?”

“Ifeelawful,” Lowry said crossly.

He took one lurching step forward and stumbled. He threw one hand out to catch himself on the back of Barrett’s chair. Wren swore the air pressure changed from the room’s collective stifled gasp.

“You’re unwell.” She disgusted herself with her own fake wide-eyed concern. “Let me take a look at you.”

Wren rose and slid an arm around his waist to steady him. His body tensed at her touch, and although he was too weak to shove her off, she felt the fight kindling within him. If he accused her of foul play now, he might sink her. Their gazes met, and Wren’s breath caught.

He looked furious.

Then, as if she’d imagined it altogether, he heaved an overwrought sigh and promptly dumped all his weight onto her. Wren grunted as she tried to get a handle on him. He was nearly a full head taller than her—and it certainly didn’t help that he’d gone completely limp.

“Help me a little, would you?” she grumbled.

“I fear I cannot.” Annoyance punctuated his every word. “I’m in pain.”

Their every uneven step jingled merrily as the gemstones on his coattails bumped into each other. It added insult to injury as she dragged Lowry into the drawing room, pursued by the gawking stares of the peerage. She didn’t want to imagine what tomorrow’s gossip columns would say. Kicking the door shut behind them, she dropped him onto a chaise and backed away. Lowry sprawled out, still managing to look both elegant and absurd in his glittering suit.

“What did you give me?” he groaned. “My stomach is going to turn itself inside out.”

“I didn’t give you anything,” she said icily. “You’re drunk.”

“Indeed,” he snapped. “Drunkandmy healer has drugged me at my own party. My suffering never ends.”

The grandfather clocktick, tick, ticked in time with the sway of its pendulum until at last, it tolled. In minutes, the drug would drag him under.

It could not come fast enough.

“It’s chloral hydrate, if you must know. If you try to make a scene, my magic can render you unconscious far faster.”

“Me? Make a scene?” Lowry laughed ruefully, his eyelids drooping. Against his damp black curls, his skin was ashen. “I wouldn’t dream of it. In fact, I’m glad we have this moment alone. Tell me,how did it feel to be among the aristocracy? You looked quite at home tonight.”

Wren was in no mood to indulge him or endure his mockery. “I hated it.”

“It shouldn’t be that way. You were made to be among them.” There was a quiet, desperate edge to his voice. “You should’ve grown up in the palace, but the queen tossed you out as if you were no better than a stray dog.”

“I’m no noble. I belong in the Guard.”

“Doyou, though? You’ve dedicated your life to serving her, and you still haven’t earned her recognition, her acceptance. Doesn’t that embitter you?”

Wren turned away from his imploring gaze. Of course it did. But she’d never give him the satisfaction of admitting it.

“I can see it in your eyes,” he said. “I was once so much like you.”

“You and I—”

“Are nothing alike,” he finished with a wave of his hand. “Protest all you like, but we are. Both cast aside. Both hungry for peace. Both longing to be taken seriously, to make real change in the world. I, however, have learned toact.”

“You’re reaching,” she snapped. “Your games won’t work.”

“You’re so ungenerous with me.” Lowry laid his head against the armrest. “Everything I’ve done has been for your own good. Can’t you see that I’m on your side?”

“It’s only been foryourown good. You only care about yourself.”