Page 113 of City of Stone and Silence

“That’s … good.” I shake my head. “But what else did the government agree to?”

“Amnesty, obviously, for any acts committed during the rebellion. And Kuon Naga agreed to re-examine the draft quotas and keep a sharper eye on enforcement, especially when I told him about the corruption in the Ward Guard.” Garo has a thoughtful expression. “He’s not as terrible as people say, which I suppose makes sense. In his position, you would want to cultivate a reputation for nastiness.”

“And in exchange for all of this?”

“We go home. It’s as simple as that.” Garo slaps his fist into his palm. “I told you taking the fight to the upper wards would get results.”

“I…” My throat seems to be swelling shut. I stand up, breathing hard, and move to the tiny waxed-paper window. It’s cracked open a bit, and the cooler air from outside tastes good.

I hear Garo moving behind me. After a moment, he puts his hand on my shoulder, tentatively, like a nervous bird.

“I … talked to my father about … all of this.” He takes a deep breath. “About us. I know you worry about … your background, but he’s a more flexible man than I’d imagined. I really don’t think … I mean, if you’re…” He trails off, awkwardly running one hand through his hair.

I shake my head, and turn away from the window. Garo’s standing very close, his eyes sharp and intense. He hasn’t shaved, and a thin, fuzzy beard is sprouting on his chin. His hand is still on my shoulder.

“What are you talking about?” I say. It comes out as a whisper. My heart is suddenly beating very quickly.

“You asked me once if I wanted to kiss you,” he says. “Right now I can say that I do. More than anything.” He swallows. “If you haven’t changed your mind.”

I stare up at him. Now? Somewhere in my mind, I’m laughing in despair. He wants to do this now? But I’m not saying no, not pushing him away, and he’s leaning forward. His lips press against mine, and in spite of everything my mouth opens under his. He pulls me against him, crushing me against his broad chest, one of his hands working into the dense knot of my hair. His silk rasps against my coarser clothing.

I want to stay there forever, his hot breath tickling my cheek. I want him to touch me, so badly it feels like an ache, and I want to let my fingers play across the muscles of his back.

But.

We don’t have time for any of that.

Because I think something has gone horribly wrong.

“Garo,” I say, when he pulls away to take a breath. “Garo, stop.”

It takes him a moment to respond, but finally he lets go of me, steps back a pace. He’s breathing hard.

“Right,” he says. “Of course. Sorry.”

“It’s not—” I shake my head. “Garo, this isn’t going to work.”

“You don’t know that,” he says. “If it’s about a dowry—”

“Not you and me,” I say. “Forget about that for a minute. What you agreed to with the Council, it’s not going to work.”

“What? Why not?”

“Because they’re never going to accept it,” I hiss, gesturing at the curtain door. “People are dead, hundreds of people, and for what? So your father can get a promotion?”

“It’s not about him being my father,” Garo says, defensively. “He’s always been a leader of the liberal faction, ask anyone who watches the court. By putting him on the Council, the Emperor is signaling a major change in policy. It means everything in the long run—”

“In the long run? Nobody starts a riot in the street because of the long run.” I wave at the window. “The people out there were sick of the draft checkpoints, and they didn’t like what happened to Grandma Tadeka. Is your father going to do anything about that?”

“I…” Garo hesitates. “Eventually. But the draft does have to be filled, or else the Jyashtani—”

“Nobody cares if the Jyashtani take some islands we’ve never heard of.” I shake my head. “If this is the best they can offer—”

“It is.” He cuts me off, voice low and urgent. “The best they’re going to offer. Tori, please, this is why you have to help me. We have pushed this as far as we can, do you understand? Right now the government can blame a few bad apples for the draft problems and let us go. If we don’t take this chance, the court is going to have to crush us, just to save face, and that means everyone is going to die.”

“We’ve beaten them so far.” My voice sounds weak in my own ears.

“We’ve beaten the Ward Guard. You saw what happened when the mob attacked the Immortals. If the Invincible Legions march on the city it’s going to be so much worse.” He swallows. “I can’t let that happen. Not to … to you. And the others.”