( Jill can find nothing to say to comfort him because she agrees. Her lessons in magic aside, the rest of it is just pretty trappings to keep them tightly under Thorne’s grip — never allowed to go outside the city walls, if that. She knows the question that would be asked in return: why leave when everything you want is here? )

The more we stay the more we owe. ( She points out, sliding further into the water. Down to her chin, to above her nose as she holds her breath, bubbles slowly rising to the surface before she breaks for air. ) Every luxury given is another debt, another string to be pulled when they wish to see us dance for them.

( Perhaps she should not be so sharp, so doubtful, but Jill has had a life full of being treated as if she existed for someone else to toy with.

And she is sick to death of it. )

We should use these days of freedom wisely. Find and ask others for their perspective so we do not rely solely on Thorne.