Young Writers Society

Gaius smiled wryly. "I won't tell if you don't."

Ky nodded hesitantly, feeling uneasy about that response. She didn't want to be upset with all of her uncles at once. Maybe she should just pretend that this was okay? Even though it felt like he was putting her in direct danger by doing so. Oh well. She'd be dead in a few months regardless. Who cared?

"It'll be down on the lowest of the low. I've got my most discreet people on the job--almost no chance of us being found out, and no way they could trace it to you. I promise you, Ky."

"Okay." Ky nodded hesitantly. "I just... am hesitant... if it's dangerous enough I can't even know my own name... I just..." She blushed, fidgeting again. "Would like to... stop poking things that put our family in danger, via me."

His brow furrowed. "If you'd like, I'll stop, then. I hadn't realized you were that concerned. My apologies, Ky."

"I..." Gods, she still didn't like apologies. "I... don't know. I... am torn... I don't know."

"Consider it and let me know what you think, then."

"Okay." She nodded. "... Thank you. I... appreciate that."

Gaius dipped his head. "I should have consulted you anyway."

Ky shrugged, not sure how to respond to that. Probably, yeah. But it felt egotistical to say as much. And she didn't want to disagree and embolden him to continue poking it until she was sure it was okay. She hesitated, then forced a little smile, trying to ease the awkwardness.

Gaius didn't return it. "Right, then. I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast. Enjoy your dinner."

Hers faded and she nodded. "You too." She pulled open the door to take her exit.

Gaius sat back down and went back to reading his letter.

Ky milled about for the rest of the evening and night. She needed a bit of a break from Jerica after how upset she'd gotten early about the Drummers and gods and heralding and everything, but they'd made up by evening, and she was planning on spending time with her the next morning before the nonsense meeting.

They'd both decided to wait to tell Derik and Zander until tomorrow. There was too much to think about. And they both felt too smothering.

By the time Ky got to her room, she was exhausted. She'd taken to dragging her blankets into her washroom and constructing a little nest in the floor that she slept in, though she didn't tell anyone, and made sure she was awake and had remade her bed before any of the maids would possibly come in to see it. That wasn't hard. She didn't sleep much.

Changing the lock helped her peace of mind. So did being able to lock the washroom. Two layers of security. But she didn't sleep well, despite the furs. And her dreams were fitful when she finally managed to drift into them.

(I'll let you establish setting; it can be anywhere)