I frown at him, feeling too off to argue with him. Lamely, I add, “Elixirs are illegal, and breaking into people’s shoppes—destroying their livelihood—is as well.”
“Laws are living, breathing things, Lucia. They change with every new king.” Dante waves the argument away. “I’m offering you both the chance to be a part of it—take a share in the proceeds. I assure you, the business is far more lucrative than you can imagine. All I need is more larkwings.”
Sebastian was right. Of course he was—he always is. Wretched man.
Dante turns to Avery. “I think we all know you’ve been known to dabble a bit on the wrong side of the law. Surely, as a business man, you can see the available profit—you saw them out there. Most of them come to every masquerade, paying more each time just for a taste of mystery.”
“How much did you charge tonight?” Avery asks, a little too curious for my liking.
“Two thousand denats a head.”
The air whooshes from my lungs. With that crowd, Dante easily made several hundred thousand denats in one evening.
“From what we understand, the larkwings are almost extinct,” Avery says.
Dante makes his way to a bottle on a side table and pours himself a drink. “That is unfortunately true. We were not careful in the beginning, should have focused more on sustaining the growth of the species.”
“We?” I ask.
“You haven’t figured that out yet?” Dante points to me with his glass. “I’m working with the head of the scholars’ guild—Serena’s husband. For the last week, you and your two companions have been chasing your tails.” His eyes shift about the room. “The foolish woman has no idea what she almost did when she sold the butterfly to that collector in Fermall. I bought it back, but it will come out of her husband’s share.”
“You have it now? Here?” Avery asks, and I try not to look too interested in the answer.
As if he doesn’t quite trust us, Dante narrows his eyes. “It’s well protected. And you can consider your agreement with Serena fulfilled. The larkwing is back with its rightful owner.”
I glance at Avery, unsure what to think of that. But the real question is what is Serena’s husband going to do when he finds out what she’s done. Just the thought makes me nervous, and I know we have to find her as soon as we’re able.
“So, what do you say, Captain Greybrow? Do you want in?”
Just as I’m saying, “Absolutely not,” Avery says, “We will consider it.”
“Avery!” I hiss.
He flashes me a look, a stern one that begs me to be quiet—one very much like Sebastian’s. I glare at him but reluctantly hold my tongue.
Dante studies us. “You realize I’ve confided quite a lot of confidential information to you. We don’t usually let people leave knowing what you know if they’re not open to our proposition.”
The captain flashes him a lazy smile. “I think we both know it’s only a matter of convincing Lucia it’s a sound business deal. We’ll be in touch with you by the end of the week.”
Dante watches Avery for several moments, probably trying to decide if the captain speaks the truth, and then he nods, apparently satisfied. “We’ll be in contact, and for now, I ask that you speak to no one about our…meeting. And please, enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Without further ado, he opens the door and motions us into the ballroom. The men nod to each other as we pass Dante, and I chomp at the bit, ready to corner Avery and ask him if he’s lost his fool mind.
“Wait,” Dante calls. We turn back and find him holding our masks. “Don’t want to forget these, now do you?”
My eyes lock on Dante’s as I accept the mask. He smiles. “Have a pleasant evening.”
Once we’re in the ballroom, my headache begins to subside. Bits and pieces of the evening float back to me in brief flashes of color and conversation. Some of it makes no sense, probably bits of a dream I had while I was unconscious, but other parts must be memories.
I scowl at the drinks a man carries on a tray. I remember the feel of the bubbling liquid on my tongue and its overly sweet yet slightly bitter flavor, but I do not believe the crowd was this wild earlier. It’s too loud; the laughter sounds like the high-pitched keen of a cackling night animal, and most people speak gibberish. Lots of couples have broken off, doing who-knows-what in the shadows.
“Take me home,” I say to Avery, pulling away as he tugs me into his arms so we might dance.
His eyes are on the crowd. “Not yet. They’re watching us. Pretend to enjoy yourself.”
Knowing he must have some purpose, I sigh and give in, going through the motions but not particularly happy about it. I lower my voice and lean close. “You wouldn’t actually consider partnering with that jackal, would you?”
“No.” He wears an easy smile, but it’s a show for our masked audience. “But we need them to think we are.”
“Why?”
He finally lowers his gaze. “You haven’t dealt much with this sort of society before, have you?”
“I’ve barely dealt with the regular sort. Chickens don’t generally throw elixir parties under their henhouses.”
That earns me a real smile. “No, I suppose they don’t. Well, let me explain how this sort of thing works. We were invited into their nest of vipers. If we’d up and refused their offer, as you were so quick to do, we would likely be dead.”
I scoff. “I’ve seen you fight. I highly doubt Dante could have bested you.”
A grin flashes across his face, making him go from handsome to devastating. “While I’m flattered by your confidence in me, it’s not Dante I was concerned about.”
“Then what?”
“Them.”
He jerks his chin toward the darkened walls. Sure enough, there are mercenary-like guards standing in groups, watching the party. I am certain there are more where the shadows grow too dark to see.
“Why so many?” I ask.
A new voice joins ours, nearly a whisper in my ear. “Because there are goblins attempting to infiltrate the tunnels.”
Avery and I both jerk around. It doesn’t matter that the man’s identity is concealed—I would know him anywhere.
Sebastian, who’s beyond striking with his black mask and teak hair, looks murderous. “Lucia. You just couldn’t stay away, could you?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Air Before a Storm
“What are you doing here?” I demand.
“I could ask you the same thing.”
I step out of Avery’s arms. “I received an invitation.”
Sebastian rolls his eyes. “I did too, but I wasn’t going to be foolish enough to go until Adeline said she couldn’t find you.”
“Why was she looking for me in the middle of the night?”
Avery clears his throat and glances around the room, wearing a rigid, neutral expression. “Now is not the time.”
“And what do you mean goblins are trying to break into the tunnels?” I demand, choosing to ignore Avery.
“Do you ever listen to anything—”
“Enough.” Avery pulls us apart. “We’ll discuss it tomorrow.”
I glance around. “Where do you think we are?”
Avery catches my eye and smirks. “Underground.”
I give him a withering look as Sebastian clears his throat. “We’re just under the botanical gardens.”
Slowly, I turn my eyes on my business partner. “How do you know that?”
Looking rather sheepish, he rubs the back of his neck. “I didn’t take a carriage. I rode here and sneaked in.”
It takes me several minutes to process his words. “How did you know where to find us?”
Sebastian scrunches his nose and looks away. Even Avery looks guilty.
“What aren’t you telling me?” I demand.
“You have to understand.” Sebastian steps a hair closer. “We were concerned. Overnight, you became some sort of legend in Teirn. Everywhere we went, people were
speaking about you—you had a stalker, Lucia.”
“Actually, I had a dressmaker’s steward,” I point out.
The music pauses as the quartet prepares for their next set, and someone hollers, heckling them. One of the guards steps into the light, looking menacing enough the man backs off.
I turn back to Avery and Sebastian and get back to the point. “What did the two of you do?”
Avery crosses his arms, smirking in a wicked way. “What do you think we did?”
Groaning, I drop my forehead into my hands. “You put another tracking spell on me.”
“On your new dagger, actually,” Sebastian corrects. “What did you expect us to do after you chase dark strangers through the castle and corner them in supply cubbies?”
I look at them through my fingers. “The two of you came up with this?”
The men glance at each other and then shrug. I drop my hands, my irritation changing to amused satisfaction. “Look at you both, working together.”
Avery snorts, but Sebastian only shakes his head.
“We’ll deal with your subterfuge later.” I glance around, taking particular note of the guards. “But for now, how do we get out of here?”
***
We end up leaving the masquerade with all the other guests. Anytime we’d venture too close to the exit, the burly guards would magically appear. And by magically, I mean they would lumber over and glare at us.
Sebastian slips into the night as soon as we’re in the courtyard, and Avery and I find our carriage. The first light of dawn stains the eastern horizon pink by the time we make it back to the castle grounds.
Though there are surely people awake in the kitchens, the gardens are still fast asleep. Birds have returned in the warming weather, and they sing and twitter from the trees as we make our way through the maze of shrubs and sleeping flowers.
“Lucia,” Avery says, tugging me back before we reach the main entrance.
I turn and find him directly behind me. “Your mask.”
Before I can remove it myself, his fingers deftly untie the knot, and the soft fabric slips from my face. The morning air is cold without it, and the breeze caresses my skin. He must have removed his moments ago.
Without another word, the captain offers me the silken fabric. I stare at it for a moment before I slip it into a pocket in my cloak. Hiding a yawn behind my hand, I turn to continue our walk back. Again, Avery stops me. This time, he steps close. Our hands brush, but he doesn’t attempt to take mine.
“I have to ask you a question.” His voice is quiet in the early morning, barely loud enough to compete with the birds. His expression is curious, maybe a bit hopeful, but he looks like he’s trying to quell the emotion.
Nervous, I worry my lip and nod for him to continue.
“Do you remember anything that happened after you sipped the potion? Any of our…conversation?”
Worry coils in my stomach, smothering any flutters I might have been feeling a moment ago. What did my mind block out?
I shake my head. “Only tiny bits—memories that are more like paintings than life.”
Covering what appears to be disappointment with an easy smile, he nods.
Terrified to ask, but knowing I must, I focus on his doublet. “Why?”
A bright and carefree expression slides over his features, loosening his limbs, tugging at his lips in a roguish manner. “It just so happens you confessed your undying love for me. You might have mentioned how handsome I am…smart…cunning. Dashing was likely in there as well.”
Slowly, my muscles relax, and I let out a breathy laugh. He’s teasing, but there’s something he’s not telling me. I attempt a flirty grin. “Well, if that’s all.”
His expression becomes thoughtful, and he’s so close, his chin brushes my jaw. So softly I wouldn’t hear him if we were any farther apart, he says, “You also said I smelled like the air before a storm. Rather poetic, don’t you think?”
Slowly, I draw back until I can see his eyes. He does smell like the air before a storm—I said that. I almost remember it. I gulp, overwhelmed. What else did I say?
“Avery?” I whisper.
“Hmmm?” His eyes have dropped to my lips, and he’s looking far too serious for my liking.
“Please—tell me the truth. Did I say anything else?”
He pulls his eyes from my lips and meets my gaze. “Yes,” he breathes.
My chest clenches. I have a strong desire to flee, run away before I learn more, but my feet are rooted to the garden soil.
A hint of a teasing smile crosses his face, taking my breath away. “But you went and passed out before I could reply.”
“It was the elixir,” I whisper. Though I’m still not sure what I said, from the way he’s looking at me, I have a pretty good idea.
“I know.”
He’s waiting for more, but I turn and continue toward the castle. He falls into step next to me. When I glance at him, he looks over, raising his eyebrows in question.
“I made a fool of myself, didn’t I?” I blurt out, my throat growing thick.
Stopping me, he takes me by the shoulders and boldly meets my gaze. “I swear to you, Lucia, nothing you said was foolish.”
I think he’s going to say something else. He even opens his mouth briefly, but then he shakes his head and begins walking again. I follow, befuddled. Without looking at me, he slips his hand into mine, and we continue the rest of the way together in silence.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The Lower Entrance
I haven’t set foot on the Greybrow Serpent for over two weeks, and a visit was long overdue. I had Mason and Jeb come to the castle a few days ago to collect Flink so Avery and I could go to the masquerade. The dragon was restless anyway, tired of his lead and harness. I only hope he behaved himself.
Though the sun has not quite risen, the crew is awake. The salty smell of the sea surrounds me, makes me nostalgic for something I never thought I’d miss. But I’m not sure if it’s the ocean I long for or the time I spent on the water, trapped with the ship’s captain. Gulls cry overhead, and I feel as if they’re mocking me.
After sleeping a good part of yesterday, I feel rejuvenated this morning. Avery’s crew calls out their greetings, many of them teasing me, asking how life is in the castle. I smile and wave as I track down the ship’s boys.
Finally, I find them tossing pieces of fish to Flink, just to see if the dragon can catch them. Flink appears to be delighted with the game, and he races about the deck, leaping to catch each piece.
I lean against the rail and watch them for several minutes before I finally make myself known. “It seems he was better this time?”
Startled, the boys glance over at me, and then they stand a little straighter. When they see that it’s only me—more specifically, that Adeline didn’t accompany me—they relax. Jeb grins. “He got into the captain’s cabin again.”
Groaning, I bury my face in my hands. “Did he break anything?”
“Not this time. He seemed happier in there, so we let him sleep on a shield he pulled from the wall.”
Avery’s not going to love that.
“We baited him out with food, just like you did last time.” Mason holds up a dead mackerel as a visual aid. “It worked like a charm.”
With a full belly and a peaceful night’s sleep, Flink happily trots to me. I kneel in front of him to give him a good scratch. “I hear you had a good night.”
He wrinkles his snout and lets out a long, lazy yawn. Shaking my head, I clip his lead to his harness. Before I leave, I thank the boys for watching him.
But I do not leave the Serpent quite yet.
“Good morning, Gregory,” I say to the mage once I find him.
Before he can answer, there is a loud explosion, followed by a billowing cloud of dark black smoke. Coughing, I blindly search for my way into the light.
“Sorry about that,” the mage says brightly once the smoke clears. “I didn’t see you there.”
“Another spell gone wrong?” I ask, eying the pewter charm in his hand.
Gregory grins. “No, that one worked.”
I almost ask him what purpose something like that would serve, but I have something else on my mind. “Where’s Yancey?”
Gregory frowns, thinking hard as he runs a hand through his dark hair. His nose and cheeks are tinged with soot, and it’s hard to take him seriously. “I don’t think I’ve seen him for several days, and I haven’t left the ship.”
“Several days?” I ask, incredulous.
“I’m not his keeper, Lady Siren Slayer.” He raises an eyebrow, teasing me.
“Apparently, you’ve left the Serpent a few times.”
“No need.” He flashes me an uncharacteristic grin. “The gossip is happy to find us here.”
I roll my eyes. “Do me a favor. Send a courier my way when Yancey returns.”
“Is everything all right?”
“Yes, I just have a few questions for him.”
Though the duke’s son has never formally studied alchemy, he might be able to help me. I’m looking for a concoction I can take that will revive my memory, and I don’t trust any of the local apothecaries in the city—not now.
I pause before I leave the ship and turn back. Hesitant due to the lingering smoke and the memory of the snowstorm, I say, “Gregory, perhaps you could help me.”
“I’ll do what I can.”
“I know alchemy’s not in your usual line of expertise, but I drank something I shouldn’t have, and now it seems I have a bit of memory loss. Is there anything you can whip up for that?”
“Drank something you shouldn’t have?” Gregory laughs and shakes his head. “I’m afraid you’ll just have to hope for the best. Perhaps eat more fish.”
“Eat…fish?” I cross my arms, skeptical.
Chuckling, he taps his head and wanders away, calling over his shoulder, “It’s good for the brain.”
“Very helpful, Master Gregory!” I laugh, shaking my head. “Thank you so much!”
Wildwood Larkwing (Silver and Orchids Book 3) Page 17
