seeing as how she’d messed up a grilled cheese sandwich for me last semester, but she was determined to make it work.
Stefan really loved Delmare, because he ate it. Poor guy had food poisoning for two days. I didn’t trust Delmare to help me make a meal even for the dead. It’d kill them twice over.
“I think I’ll just stick with the flowers,” I muttered. “Thanks for putting out the fire.”
“Dragons are used to fires getting out of hand. It’s no big deal,” Delmare waved her hand, before her face turned to concern. “Em, are you sure you’re all right? I know you have trouble remembering things sometimes, but this is a lot, even for you.”
“I just… have a lot on my mind.” I rubbed my eyes trying to wake up.
“If you need help with stuff, you can just ask me,” Delmare suggested. “We’re all here for you.”
“I know.” I bit my lip. “All this stress makes it hard to focus.”
“I was supposed to visit my grandmother’s grave today, but I can stay with you if you need me,” Delmare suggested.
“No, you should go,” I told her. “I’ll be fine. Really. My brother will be by in a bit.”
Delmare gave me a doubtful look, but I pushed her out of the kitchen, and she left me alone. She knew there was no point trying to convince my stubborn ass.
After my failed attempt to cook a simple meal, I tried to wash the plastic out of the pot. It didn’t do any good— it was really stuck in there. I abandoned the effort, tossed the pot away and returned to the main part of the Rec Room, near the couches by the big TV.
Arthur met me there. He was carrying a few candles, a wreath hanging on his arm.
“Babcia and Bapa are waiting,” Arthur said. “We should hurry.”
I nodded, but my next words were cut off by a ragged bout of coughing. My heart sank. Ethan was leaning against the wall, a singular candle in his hands. He shuffled slowly toward the stairs, a longing misery on his face.
The rejuvenation potion from the night before had taken everything out of him. He could barely walk.
Arthur caught the look on my face. “Go help him,” he said. “I’ll pay a visit to our father.”
“But I want to go with you.” I hadn’t sat vigil at my father’s grave before, and I really wanted to do so with my brother this year.
“He needs you, Emma.” Arthur gave a sad look to Ethan, and I knew I had no choice. I left my brother, and hurried to catch Ethan before he slumped to the floor.
Gods, he looked awful. “Ethan, you need to be in bed,” I insisted. I began dragging him back to his dorm, though he resisted weakly.
“I must sit vigil today,” Ethan gasped. “He has been gone a year. Tomorrow they will move my father’s body to the crypt below the cathedral with the other kings. It is vitally important.”
“I will sit vigil at your father’s grave,” I said. “As your mate, the gods will accept me in your place.”
“But Emma—”
“You need rest, Ethan. I will do what you cannot.”
Ethan’s shoulders slumped. He knew he couldn’t get to the cathedral. He wouldn’t make it downstairs if he tried.
He was asleep by the time I laid him down. A sickness welled up in me as I watched him slumber.
We were counting the days now. This time next year, I’d be sitting vigil at Ethan’s grave. I’d given up hope we’d find a way to save him, and now, was just waiting for him to die.
I wiped the tears from my eyes and took the candle he still held in one hand. Alone, I made my way to Dolinska, and into the Katedra da du Boyina.
I covered my hair with a blue scarf before I entered the cathedral. It was packed today with people lighting candles in memory of their lost loved ones. Many people huddled in the pews, praying to the gods with their heads bent. The stone casket that held King Lycus was at the head of the room, colors from the stained glass windows dancing around the floor. The statue of him had already been moved— probably down to the crypts below the cathedral.
I was praying Queen Antonia wouldn’t be there. Thank the gods, I didn’t see her around. I ignited an incense stick, then lit the wick on the candle. I placed the candle on top of the stone casket