Chapter 14: A Note on the Pillow

I woke at five with my cheek on his pillow and nobody beside me.

The sheet was still warm on his side.

A folded square of paper sat on the nightstand, under the lamp.

I knew before I opened it.

The handwriting was square and careful.

"I have gone to the Stone to face the elder over the torn page. I did not wake you because you would have come. I will be back by noon. A."

I read it twice.

Then I called him.

He picked up on the second ring, with an engine running under his voice.

"You're awake," Ansel said.

"You left a note."

"I told you where I'm going."

"You told a pillow," I said. "That's a plan, Ansel. You didn't say it."

The engine ran for a few seconds.

"You said you wanted me to stop talking," he said.

I sat up in bed with the sheet in my fist.

"I said that about the seven years!"

"I know what you said it about."

His voice was quiet and tired, and it was not an excuse.

"I woke at four and I knew you would follow me," he said. "You'd walk into the elder's yard with twelve hunters standing in it."

"So you didn't say it, because I would have come."

"Yes."

"Which is exactly why I would have come, Ansel!"

"I know. That's why."

"We had terms," I said, and my voice shook.

"I broke them. I'll answer for it tonight, whatever you decide."

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