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I bow slightly, gesturing towards the exit with my left hand. “I would expect nothing but the most cautious of relationships with you. But I’m sure I will grow on you.”
She scoffs, “Not likely, Mace.”
A wide smile stretches across my face as I watch her back as she heads out of the garrison.
This is going to be such fun.
Chapter 30
Viola
Aswemakeourway through the underground tunnels, an arduous journey to the surface, I cannot help but take in all my surroundings. This is the path to the arena. I’ve been here before, last year. I was among the first twenty finishers. While I didn’t make it to Ytopie, I did make it to the arena before the ceremony. I start down the path I followed last year to the arena grounds when a large hand grabs my shoulder.
Mace turns my body to the left and points with his other hand down a side tunnel. “This way, Miss Mistflow. We’re not going to the arena - we’re heading into the city.”
I cringe at the honorific he’s bestowed upon me and shrug off his hand, “Just call me Viola.” He nods, his eyes sparkling mischievously.
Pushing past me, Mace leads the way down the new tunnel.
Tulip slides up behind me, grabbing my hand. “He is gorgeous! Both of those men take handsome to another level,” she coos softly in my ear. I remember Max and I having the same conversation about Mace just days ago.
The thought of her makes my gut feel empty, a reflection of the hole left by my best friend. I cannot believe it’s only been a few hours since I left her body at the base of the mountain. The guilt of making it to Ytopie as a winner without her threatens to buckle my knees. I stumble, gaining a look back from Mace that seems to ask if I am okay.
I am not okay.
And yet I grit my teeth and stand, brushing off my exceedingly dirty bottoms.
When we finally leave the tunnels and exit to the outside, I am momentarily frozen. In front of us, not more than a half hour’s walk away, is the shining city of Ytopie. Tulip slides next to me, entwining her fingers in mine, and we both gape at the sight.
Buildings are erected taller than I’d ever seen, with two and three levels stacked atop each other. They’re brightly colored and eclectic, with barely a thought toward functionality. Here in Ytopie, things can be created just to look beautiful.
The sun feels brighter, but not nearly as hot as in the Lowlands. Flowers bloom all throughout the grass we trek through. When we reach the city limits, stone streets are enveloped with buildings of all sorts. Mace diverts us through back alleys, but I still catch glimpses of clothing vendors, food purveyors, and even someone cutting and styling hair. Self-consciously, I glance down at my clothing and finger my ragged braid.
Mace catches my look and stops us at a nondescript red door at the back of a building. “Your clothing is very worn. Would you allow me to buy you both a new outfit? Just something comfortable, nothing extravagant.”
I get the distinct feeling if we wanted something extravagant, he would not hesitate to open his pockets.
Tulip answers before I can, “Oh my goodness, yes, please!” She’s practically bouncing out of her worn boots with excitement.
I tighten my lips and nod before answering, “That would be fine, thank you Mace.” He smiles, and it’s charming and a bit disarming. With a quick rap of his knuckles on the door, the door opens to reveal a stout man.
“Mace, what do I owe the pleasure?”
Mace gestures at the two of us, and the shopkeeper rakes his eyes down our frames. “I need clothing for the two of them and your utmost discretion, of course.”
The shopkeeper’s lips turn up into a knowing smile. “Of course, sir. I’ll have them brought to the Palace.”
We’re going to a Palace?
I am struggling to make sense of this man. I have always seen him, the leader of the Patricians, as the enemy. But seeing him up close, he does not seem to be as scary as I once thought. He’s thin but fit, his arms and legs long and graceful. He’s got strength but nothing ostentatious. His dark hair falls handsomely over the tops of his ears, and when he’s not forcing a smirk onto his face, he’s got quite a nice smile.
“Why are we in the back alleys?” Tulip asks after we leave the clothing purveyor and head further into the city.
Mace stops and turns towards us, hands gently clasped in front of him. “The people of Ytopie do not know about the elevator, so they cannot know you’re here in the city so early. We’ll need to keep you hidden right now. Once we can get you cleaned up and dressed in some of our clothes, you’ll blend in and be able to explore the city.”
The explanation is sufficient enough to require no follow-up questions from either of us for now.
We make our way to the Palace, a shining building with stained glass windows dotted along it. Tulip leans over to me, her lips close to my ears, “It looks like a pastry!” I laugh at her words, trying to remember the last time I had a pastry of any sort.
