Free Promising Hope by Emily Ann Ward Page B

thoughtful consideration.
    Sierra felt a surge of pride and she went to take a
drink before remembering, again, she’d run out of wine. “You see?”
she said. “It’s a distraction as well as a political move.”
    Jeshro stroked his chin. “It’s risky.”
    “If we sent out a spy beforehand, they could figure
out where Grace and Dar and Vin and Amina are.” She motioned around
the room. “These people would do anything for Grace. As they
should.”
    “Yes, of course,” Jeshro said quietly. “Let’s talk
about it in the morning.”
    “I want to talk about it now,” Sierra said.
    Jeshro squeezed her shoulder. “Sierra, I want to do
it. Let’s talk about it tomorrow when we’re both more prepared for
tactical discussion.”
    “Okay,” she said slowly, “but I won’t let it go.”
    “Neither will I,” he promised.
    She stumbled away, looking for more wine, and she had
a feeling the conversation had gone well.
     
    * * *
     
     

Chapter Six
     
    The morning came unwelcome. Sierra tried to pull the
blanket over her head to block out the sun, but Evan was sleeping
on the blankets, and he didn’t budge when she pulled at them. She
turned on her side, closing her eyes. Her head throbbed. She
couldn’t remember the last time she’d drank so much. Probably in
the circus.
    She’d spent the night dancing and laughing with
people she’d just met. She vaguely recalled trying to teach herself
how to juggle. Lee had only just kept her away from the
torches.
    She’d spoken to Jeshro, too. She cursed to herself.
Her carefully planned words had gone to hell once she’d had half a
dozen glasses of wine.
    She dozed off again, but then had to wake up to pee.
She stumbled into their bathroom, shielding her eyes from the
sunlight. Once she emerged, Evan had taken all the blankets. She
tossed for another hour, but couldn’t get back to sleep. She
finally gave up and got dressed and couldn’t believe how high the
sun was already. It must have been midday.
    Quietly, she left the room and walked towards the
kitchens. Her stomach growled as she thought of the feast last
night. She’d do anything for some more seared tuna.
    The kitchens were empty, and she looked around at the
cabinets and drawers. The room was expansive; each wall was lined
with shelves and crates. A mixture of smells wafted through the
air: fish, bread, fruit. On one hand, she was happy not to have
anyone wait on her. On the other, she had no idea where anything
was.
    After rummaging for a few moments, she had a bundle
of food from last night: a loaf of bread, a bundle of grapes, and
some dried fish. She turned, meaning to go back upstairs, but she
jumped when she saw Lisbeth in the doorway.
    “Lisbeth, I didn’t hear you,” Sierra said as she dove
for a couple grapes before they fall on the floor.
    Lisbeth smiled. “I’m sorry.”
    Sierra shrugged. She hadn’t been alone with Lisbeth
in quite some time. She cleared her throat. “I should go back
upstairs. I’m starving.”
    “We all slept in this morning,” Lisbeth said, moving
out of the doorway. “Jeshro wants to call a meeting as soon as
everyone stirs. Perhaps after lunch.”
    “Oh, yes?” Sierra’s face warmed. “Has he considered
what I said last night?”
    “Yes.” Lisbeth’s smile could have been condescending,
but maybe that was merely Sierra’s interpretation. “We both want
Grace and Dar safe. It’s a good idea. We should try to get them
sooner rather than later.”
    “We should,” Sierra said, grateful for her agreement.
“We definitely should. Evan and I will eat breakfast, then we’ll
come back downstairs.”
    She nodded to Lisbeth then ducked out of the kitchen.
At least Sierra’s tipsy behavior hadn’t turned Lisbeth off the
idea. Even if it had, it wouldn’t have mattered. She’d push at the
meeting as hard as she could.
    Evan was still asleep when Sierra returned to the
room. He looked peaceful; Sierra touched his forehead softly before
returning to the