To Learn To Fall (Sequel to the Other Side)

Chapter Twenty Four

Thomas led us past the guards, who made me more nervous than I already was, and through the hallways with relative ease. He seemed to be more comfortable than he was earlier. He stopped outside a curtain of vines and offered us a quick smile. "I'll see you guys later, okay? I have important matters I must attend to."

"Wait, you're leaving us?" I asked.

Thomas shrugged. "I don't want to, but I don't have a choice. I was gone for too long and now I have things to take care of."

"Please stay." I sighed. "Just—please?"

The hint of a smile touched his face. "I suppose I could put it off for a little longer."

I tried not to grin at the way he mixed the formalities with the colloquialisms, though it was rather cute. "Thank you," I said with a nod.

Thomas pulled back the vines to let us slip past. I brushed my shoulder against his hand on purpose, just to see what would happen. A burst of warmth poured through me, and I felt the tension in my shoulders release.

Inside the room was a woman sitting on a throne carved from a light blue wood. She raised her head as we entered, and I could feel her pressing stare on me despite the size of our group. The woman said nothing until Thomas fell in line next to us. "These are your friends?" she finally asked. She sounded like a woman who demanded respect and who knew what to do with it once she had it.

Thomas nodded and introduced us one-by-one. The woman on the throne seemed to perk up at the mention of Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy, and she seemed fairly impressed with Lafayette. That all changed of course when Thomas introduced me. "You brought an Islander here?" she asked suddenly, cutting into his introductions.

Thomas faltered. He kept his gaze straight ahead, and I wish he would just acknowledge me. Turn and give me even the smallest of looks. I truly hated not knowing what he was thinking. "Mother," he pressed carefully, locking his hands behind his back. "He isn't like the rest of them."

"He's an Islander, Thomas. Need I remind you of the Huntings?"

Whatever that was, it didn't sound good.

"So what? We blame them all on something that happened almost a billion years ago? That isn't fair."

"It isn't about fair," the woman atop the throne hissed. She let out a sigh and relaxed her shoulders, leaning back against the wooden back. "Thomas, why can't you just listen when people tell you what not to do?"

"And let others dictate my life? Yeah. Sounds fantastic."

I bit down on my tongue to keep from smiling. He's always so cute when he's angry.

"He isn't like the others, trust me. And we're on the same side. He fights for what we believe in, and he does a damn good job of it."

"Language."

Thomas apologized and ducked his head, sneaking me the tiniest of looks. I smiled at him, unsure of how else to respond. I couldn't exactly convey to him how much I wanted to throw my arms around him and let him lean against my body.

"The point is, Alexander stays."

The woman watched me. I could feel her gaze picking me apart slowly, but I held still with my head lowered as Thomas asked us. Finally, she caved. "Fine. But I want him carefully watched at all times."

Thomas and I spoke at the same time. "Thank you."

She eyed me carefully and turned back to Thomas. A smile hit her face lightly. "It's good to have you back, you know."