To Best the Boys(34)

Which begs the question of Germaine’s plans and what they’ll be able to use if they can’t take anything in.

It also begs the question of whether the Labyrinth itself will recognize me as a girl and throw me out before I’ve gotten through the gates. Just like it recognizes other items that don’t belong.

My gut tightens. I hadn’t thought of that. What if Holm has a way to tell?

A burst of thunder rattles the window and makes me and Seleni both jump. I roll over to the glass pane to see how bad it’s coming down and whether the town got burnt to the ground last night. Nope. Everything looks the same, just a lot wetter.

I sigh and sit up. I need to make my deliveries. I look at Sel. “I’m going to rush through my rounds and then I’ll be—”

She puts a hand up. “Stop. What the stars? Turn your head.”

I raise a brow and turn, only to hear her screech, “Rhen, your hair! What’d you do?”

My hand goes up to touch the locks now barely longer than my ears. I forgot. I flip around as if I can hide it. “Nothing. I cut it, that’s all.”

“You didn’t just cut it—you murdered it!”

“Shh! Mum and Da will hear—”

“But why?” she squeaks again, climbing onto her knees. “And what were you thinking? I mean, have you seen it? You look . . . you look . . .” Her horrified gaze moves from my hair to my face, then back to my hair. “Like a . . .”

“Like a boy, I hope.”

“What?” Her tone is now full volume.

“Shh! Seleni, please! No one can know. Not even Mum and Da. At least not yet.”

“Except they’re all going to know the second they see you!” She presses a hand to my forehead. “Are you ill? Did you swallow something? Look at me.”

I pull away. “I’m not sick—I’m fine.”

She sits back aghast and studies me. “I think you’d better explain. Thoroughly.”

I take a breath, hold it—then let it out as fast as I can. But my voice still cracks. “Last night I tried to talk to the university and parliament men about my mum. Not only did they not care, Sel, they made it perfectly clear they won’t do anything.” I look down as my throat goes thick. “But my mum really isn’t doing well. She’s getting a lot worse a lot faster, and this week she’s having a hard time even moving from bed.”

I stop before a sob slips out—except one already has, and it matches the strangled sound of the blasted rooster that’s resumed his crowing.

“Oh, Rhen.” Seleni’s face falls with her voice. “But what about your latest cure? You said it was so promising.”

“It was.” I wipe my thumb and forefinger over my eyes to press away the threatening dampness, and don’t explain further lest I erupt in cursing or tears. I need to leave. To run. Hide. If I’m going to enter the competition, I can’t have this conversation. I need my emotions clear and focused.

“Sooooo, what does that have to do with your hair?”

I lick my lips. Then lick them again and try not to sound ridiculous. “I’ve decided to try and enter Mr. Holm’s scholarship contest today.”

Her face scrunches up. “You’re what?”

I strengthen my tone. “I’m entering Mr. Holm’s contest.”

“The Labyrinth? Why? What for?”

“Shh! For hull’s sakes, Sel—I’m entering to see if I can do it. And because I’m just as good as the boys at most things, so why not?” I push off the bed and head for my single, small wardrobe where I yank out a blouse a tad harder than necessary.

“I mean, I may not have a good shot at winning, you know, but what if I did? Maybe it’d get people to listen to me and Da. Maybe they’d actually consider letting me in a university.”

“But what about your parents? What’ll happen if you get caught? You could get court-martialed or something.”

“I’m not breaking the law. I’m joining a private citizen’s event. If they allow me to play, whether they know it’s me or not, then it’s on them. I’ll be in and out, and I’ll do whatever my parents want. And for all I know, the Labyrinth won’t let me compete anyway.”

She crosses her arms. “You’re pulling my leg, right?”

“I’m not.”

“I’m not jesting, Rhen. This is bizarre. Even for you.”

“I cut my hair for it.”

She acknowledges this fact with a nod and continues eyeing me from her spot on the bed. “Well then, you know this is the worst idea you’ve ever had, right? And no offense, but that’s saying a lot.”

“I know.” I tug the blouse over my head.

“It’s stupid.”

“I know.”

She stands up and swallows so loud I can’t tell if she’s choking back tears or vomit, but when I glance up there’s a small spark of fear in her eye as her shoulders straighten and her hand clenches.

I frown. “You’re not going to tell anyone, are you? Because I’m not doing anything wrong. I’m just tired of feeling like the way things are is the only way they can ever be.”

She watches me pull on a bonnet that I know looks ridiculous but will keep people from wondering what’s underneath. A second later she walks over to my armoire where she tugs out clothes and starts to change into them, as she quietly says, “I’m not going to tell on you. Because I’m coming with you.”