“You’ve been saying all week that this would be the last day, but that can’t be the end,” Ajay protested. “He can’t just leave us hanging there. That’s got to be the peasant army coming for King Orwen, right? What’s going to happen when Jancy learns that Rowan’s leading it? Plus, don’t the humans realize they have to stop fighting each other and start fighting the undead? It’s almost too late! And the unicorns still haven’t said if they’ll help.”

“Welcome to how everyone else has felt for the last three-plus years.” Bridget popped the last spoonful of her mulligatawny soup into her mouth. She was trying to hide it, but she felt equally bereft, for different reasons. Tomorrow was the last day before winter break. When school started up again in January, would Ajay still want to eat with her, now that their reason for being together was finished?

She had been counting on their trade lasting well into the new year, but then Ajay had come back from Thanksgiving break and admitted he’d just listened to the audiobook of Court of Sorrows. He had been so apologetic, but then again, he was always so polite. Had it just been a way of shortening their time together without coming right out and saying it? Even now, she was still unsure how much his presence next to her was due to her and how much was due to the books. Maybe she could start reading him another series. Although nothing was as good as Swords and Shadows.

Ajay persisted. “But you’re not everyone else, are you? I know Bob sometimes asks you about what’s he’s already written. That must give you some pretty good clues about the next book.”

Bob had asked her not to disclose his writer’s block. Bridget settled for something true that wasn’t the truth. “I haven’t heard from him in a few weeks.” Saying it aloud made her realize just how long it had been. What was supposed to be a distraction for Ajay became a concern for her. “Actually, that’s the longest he’s ever gone without asking about anything. That’s not like him.”

“Maybe he’s found his groove, then.”

“Maybe,” she echoed, still feeling uneasy.

Ajay reached into his backpack. “Before the bell rings, I wanted to give you this.” He pulled out a small flat package wrapped in blue paper printed with white snowflakes. The wrapping paper was a little crooked, like he’d done it himself.

“Oh,” Bridget stammered, her mouth suddenly dry. “I didn’t get you anything.”

“I wasn’t expecting anything. I just wanted to show my appreciation for you introducing me to some amazing people—even if they’re fictional.”