“And the monsters?”
She smiles big. “Oh, they already know you’re real. I’m not really known for being discreet. I blabbed to the girls yesterday. Plus, you’re part of our prophecy and we all believe in the prophecy.”
Great. The P-word. She just used the P-word. I can’t do this. Especially before coffee. “Talina?”
“Yes, Pie?”
“How can I get coffee?”
“There’s a break room. I’ll get it for you.” And her entire attitude has changed. Like she’s happy I finally need something from her today. “BRB.”
“Yep.” I sit back in my chair and sigh. None of this is good. In fact, this news might be worthy of a panic attack.
I need Pia. Where is she, anyway?
I need to find her.
My chair scrapes on the tiles when I push back, then I get up, and I’m walking towards the door when Talina is suddenly back, holding a cup of coffee. “Here you go.”
“That was fast.”
She hikes a thumb over her shoulder. “The break room is right next door. And on Fireday, we always have pots going.”
“Because we’re not allowed to leave.”
“Us, but not you. I know it sucks being locked down like this. But at least it’s only temporary for you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Tarq has to let the queen in on his secret eventually. And then you’ll… well.” She frowns. “You won’t be here anymore. You’ll be in the palace. And Tarq will return to the palace and…” She pauses. Frowns deeper. “Wow. I guess I never really thought this through. If Tarq leaves to live in the palace with you, then who will be our boss?”
“I’m going to assume that’s a rhetorical question. Also, I won’t be living in the palace. I don’t live here, Talina. I live in my own world and I have my own home.”
“Yeah, but…”
“But what?”
“You’re the royal beastess.” Again with the B-word. It’s almost as bad as the P-word. “She’s not going to let you leave once she knows, Pie. Tarq didn’t mention that?”
“Nope,” I say. “He sure didn’t.”
“Well, you’ve got a whole day of anonymity left. He doesn’t plan on telling her until just before the gala.”
Yeah. This news is definitely worthy of a panic attack. My heart is thumping, my pulse is racing, and I have a sudden urge to get the fuck out of this world and never come back. Because he’s going to trap me here, isn’t he? He was all agreeable yesterday. Oh, don’t worry, Pie. You don’t have to go to the party this week. Bullshit! It was all bullshit! Like… literally, when I think about it. Because he’s an actual bull!
A giggle bursts out of me. It’s one of those uncontrollable, inappropriate giggles that actually aren’t about anything funny.
“Pie?” Talina sounds worried. She should be. I’m definitely losing my shit. “Pie? Are you OK?” But I can’t answer because now I’m starting to hyperventilate. She takes my arm, leads me over to the table, and helps me sit. Then she sets my coffee down in front of me. “Drink it. Fireday coffee is always good for calming nerves.”
Nerves? This isn’t nerves. This is full-on I’m-about-to-be-kidnapped-out-of-my-world panic going on here. I need a whiskey to process this one.
But all I have is coffee, so I gulp it down.
Funnily enough, this does seem to help. A sense of well-being floods through my body as the hot liquid hits my stomach. And I actually do relax.
“That’s better,” Talina says, her voice all calm and her fingertips petting my hair. “Now. Just… concentrate on your task today, Pie. Tarq wants a portal spell. Just sit there and think up a good one. Just like you did yesterday. And when he comes to check on you later, he’ll be so pleased.”
“Ooookaaaay,” I mumble, so happy now.