The other guard snorted. “Councilor Richard pays his charmaids with jewelry?”
“All right, I admit it. I wasn’t cooking and cleaning tonight.” She was talking too fast and she knew it. “I was hired to provide a bit of entertainment for the Councilor’s son. He gave me a necklace for my services. It’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever had.”
The first guard made a beckoning motion with her fingers. “Give me the necklace and we’ll see if your story checks out.”
“I doubt Curtis will admit to hiring me.” Em handed the chain over to the guard, since protesting further would only raise more suspicions.
“We’ll see what he says.”
Em held her breath as the guard dangled the chain in the torchlight. Maybe she wouldn’t recognize it as a deed chain.
“In the meantime—” The guard clenched the chain in her fist. “You’re going to the stocks.”
Chapter 34
Sleep eluded Quintin as he stretched out on his bedroll in his dark room. His stitches itched, and his nerves jangled with every creak and moan of the wind. His ears strained for the sound of an okapi’s hooves on the path outside. By now Em should have finished the job. Though she’d made no foolish promises about reporting on her escapade to him, he hoped she would come to end his suspense. The night would be a long and torturous ordeal if he had to wait until morning to find out if she had been successful.
He closed his eyes and practiced breathing deeply, determined to quiet his mind. He needed to sleep and heal.
Lady! Trouble! Elkart’s paws scrabbled against the floor as he jumped to his feet. A disjointed image of Em struggling with a pair of guards flashed through Quintin’s mind.
Where are they? Quintin threw off his blanket and dashed to the door, grateful he had chosen to sleep in his kaftan. He yanked on his sandals. How are you seeing her?
While Elkart liked Em, a waccat could only bond so tightly with one person.
Verona there. Elkart shoved his head against Quintin’s back, pushing him out the door. Madi trap Lady.
Quintin cursed under his breath. Dedicated and diligent, Madi wouldn’t let Em talk her way out of trouble. He only hoped he could find a way to help. Trotting across the garden, he tightened his sling as he went. When he reached the trees, he broke into a run. Though his lungs burned by the time the walls of the town came into view, he didn’t slow his pace.
Where are they now? Quintin asked Elkart as they entered the city.
Market. Stocks. Elkart’s tail lashed. Verona not fight them.
Quintin grunted in response, saving his breath for running. While he wished Em did not have to endure the stocks, he could not fault Verona for letting it happen. Madi had no air, which made communication with her waccat unreliable, and the possibilities for misinterpretation were far too great for Verona to fight the arrest.
He slowed to a walk, since he would need to talk without gasping to the guards. What was the best approach? He could tell Madi about Em being a Lady and possibly win her freedom, though not without risk. Nobles were not immune to the consequences of the law and the last thing Em needed was her questionable behavior coming to the attention of the Novenary. He would have to find out what evidence they had and work from there. His stomach cramped at the thought of lying to Madi, but he would do whatever he had to in order to free Em before the sun rose.
As they approached the market square, an eerie keening filled the air.
Elkart broke into a run.
Compelled by the horrible sound, Quintin dashed after him.
There were a half a dozen people trapped in the stocks, most of them quietly weeping or slumped in exhaustion. The prisoner closest to the building writhed and thrashed in her bonds. Her head banged with repetitive thumps against the rough wood.
Elkart streaked across the square and leapt onto the platform next to her.
All thoughts of rescue strategies and persuasive arguments fled as Quintin ran to Em. He clambered onto the platform and knelt before her. Pushing the hair out of her face, he tried to give her some reassurance. “I’m here, Em. It’ll be fine. I’ll get you out.”
She twisted as if she could somehow wiggle through the holes in the boards. A horrible panicked whine emanated from her throat. She didn’t seem to see him or know he was there.
Help! Elkart prowled next to them, his tail lashing. Lady scared.
I’m trying. Ignoring the ache in his arm, he held his forehead to hers and pressed on her air shield, trying to break through her terror. “I’m here, Em, I’m here,” he repeated both aloud and against her mind.
Her protections whistled with a thousand holes.
He blew calm promises through the cracks. “By my honor as a Hand, I will get you out of here.”
Quintin. She stopped thrashing, her breath coming in panicky little pants. Help me.
I will. Tell me what happened.
They caught me outside the house.
Did you get the deed chain?
They took it. I’d just gotten it back and they took it! She twisted her arms, scraping the skin on her wrists as she tried to squeeze her hands through the narrow holes. Her thoughts edged into panic. They got my picks, too, and are going to talk to Curtis about my lies. Everything is ruined, and I’ll be trapped forever.
Elkart whined and licked at her fingers.
We’ll get you out of here. Quintin kissed her forehead.
Her eyes fluttered closed. Did you bring your lockpick?
That won’t work this time. The pick she gave him felt hot and heavy hanging from his belt. I haven’t the skill to use it, and we’d be sure to get caught.
What am I going to do? Her desperation made his own heart thump with fear.
“Quintin? Why are you here?”
Em whimpered and flinched at the sound of Madi’s voice.
You will be safe. Quintin clasped her hand and looked over his shoulder at his friend. “Elkart alerted me to Em’s distress. I came as quickly as I could.”
Madi stood on the ground next to the platform, her hands on her hips and a frown on her face. “Come down from there.”
“I can’t leave her. She’s terrified.”
His year-mate’s powerful gray and black waccat jumped onto the platform next to Elkart.
Madi’s scowl deepened, though her attention was on her waccat. “You know this woman? And how did Elkart know she was in trouble?”
“Verona told him. Elkart has taken quite a liking to her.”
“What? Why would Verona—”
“I have no idea what horrible misunderstanding led to this situation.” He nodded at Em imprisoned by the stocks. “This is intolerable.”
Em whimpered and pulled against the boards. Her panic scrabbled at him like claws.
He squeezed her fingers. I’m here, Em. You will be safe.
Madi crossed her arms over her chest. “She was skulking around the Reeve’s district.”
“There is nothing wrong with walking down a public street.”
“Then why did she lie about what she was doing there?”
Let me go! Em twisted her arms again as images of her mother and the cacao vault flashed through her mind. I have to get out.
He held tight to her hands, trying to prevent more damage to her wrists. “I will get you free, I promise.”
Her head drooped as a stream of prayers passed through her mind.
Quintin turned back to his year-mate. “Please, Madi, can’t you let her out of this thing? I’ll answer any questions you want. You can put me in instead if you need to. Please, please, let her go.”
His friend snorted. “I’m not putting a Hand in the stocks.”
Em’s fingers bit into his.
“Please. She’s hurting hersel
f.”
“Who is this woman?” Madi’s expression was harsh in the dim light. “Why do you care if some housebreaker gets scraped up?”
“She’s my . . .” Quintin’s stomach churned. He had to push the words past his lips. “She’s my lover.”
“Your lover is a thief?”
Em whimpered again and twisted in his grip.
“She’s not,” he protested. “Please, Madi. I can explain everything after she’s out of this thing. I give my word as a Hand, we won’t run away.”
Madi let out her breath in a huff. “I’ll go get the keys. We’ll need to talk mind-to-mind about this before I can let her leave.”
“Yes, yes. Anything you need. Thank you, Madi.”
She tromped away, her boots ringing on the bricks. Her waccat flopped down on the platform while Elkart paced in circles around them.
Quintin smoothed Em’s hair back from her face. Hold on a little longer. We’re getting you out.
She blinked at him. “I’ll be free?” she asked, her voice raw and scratchy.
“Soon. Madi went to get the key.” He ran a thumb over her cheek. “We’ll get you out, then I’ll talk to Madi for a bit and then we can go.”
Her lips trembled. What if she locks me up again?
No! Elkart’s intruding thought was accompanied by a growl. No more traps. I stop her.
Quintin shuddered at the thought of Elkart brawling with Madi. I’ll talk her into letting Em go.
Elkart’s ears flattened. Madi like trapping thieves.
Em did nothing wrong tonight. He would cling to the thought like a drowning man. With the difficulties of lying mind-to-mind, he would need every truth on his side. Em is my beloved and she did nothing wrong. All I need to do is convince Madi there is nothing more to it.
Footsteps echoed on the platform as Madi returned. Silently, she stuck a big bronze key into the lock holding the boards together. The key rattled as the lock fell open. Quintin stood to help Madi remove the top board.
Sobbing quietly, Em scrambled out of the stocks as soon as her neck and arms were free.
Quintin tensed, worried she would bolt. Instead she slumped onto the platform. He fell to his knees next to her and pulled her into a hug.
She crawled into his lap, her position a heartbreaking parody of their embrace in the woods earlier. She shook like a leaf in his arms, a far cry from the powerful, sensual woman who had kissed him with such skill.
“You’re safe now. I’ve got you,” he muttered into her hair.
While her thoughts flitted about like terrified birds, her soul-crushing panic receded. She trusted him. He had to find a way to keep his promise and secure her freedom.
Elkart nuzzled Em, his very presence a guarantee of bloodshed if anyone tried to lock her up again.
Madi clapped a hand on Quintin’s shoulder. “You owe me an explanation.”
“Agreed.” His stomach flopped like a dying fish. Uncomfortable truths tended to knock around in his brain and out of his mouth whether he wanted to speak them or not. Keeping all his thoughts sorted while speaking mind-to-mind would take a degree of cleverness he wasn’t sure he possessed. Trying to calm himself and bolster his gift, he took a deep breath. He inhaled the jasmine scent of Em’s hair. His mind sharpened and his nerves quieted.
He could do this. For her.
Keeping one arm around Em, he took hold of Madi’s callused fingers.
His gift gusted against his year-mate’s mind. Even with her protections gone, he strained to blow his thoughts through her thin air. I may not be very coherent, he told her honestly, wanting to set a tone of confidences shared rather than an interrogation. This has been very upsetting. And all my fault.
Your fault?
We’ve been sneaking around. Memories of their stolen kisses flooded his mind. He reveled in the images, though he couldn’t be sure Madi could see them. He’d forgotten how much focus it usually took to speak mind-to-mind.
She was coming to see you?
I wanted her to. Guilt stabbed at him. It was my idea and it all went terribly wrong.
He squeezed the woman in his arms. “I’m sorry, Em,” he murmured into her hair.
“Why do you need to sneak around?” Madi said aloud, either forgetting about the mind-to-mind contact or uncomfortable with the strain.
Em raised her head and licked her lips. “My father’s a Trilord.”
“I’m only interested in Quintin’s answers,” Madi said sharply. “I’ve had enough of your lies.”
Em shrank against him. “Yes, sir,” she murmured, her voice full of tears.
Quintin dropped his year-mate’s hand to stroke Em’s hair. “Really, Madi, that is outside of enough.”
“Sorry, Quintin. All she’s done is told us one lie after another.”
“Would you have believed her if she’d told you her father was a Trilord?”
“If her father is a Trilord, why does she look like a laborer?”
“Exactly so.” He nodded shortly. “You wouldn’t believe her, or would want to talk to her father, which would be awful since he thinks she’s tucked safely in bed.”
“You never did explain the reason for this midnight tryst.”
“Isn’t it obvious? Her father doesn’t approve of our relationship.”
“Why not? You’re a respectable Hand.”
“I’m a vegetable seller’s son. He has higher expectations for his daughter.”
“Is she the one who told you that?” Madi jerked her chin at Em. “She’s been playing you for a fool, Quintin, probably hoping to use you as an alibi to get her out of the stocks. She’s a thief, not a Trilord’s daughter.”
“You’re wrong.” Not knowing how else to convince her, Quintin focused his air and pressed his thoughts into Madi’s mind. She is a Lady of the Realm. Her Trilord father told me to my face to keep my hands off his daughter.
If she’s not a thief, how do you explain these? Madi held out Em’s packet of lockpicks.
Quintin licked his lips, his stomach dropping. “It’s a game we play—”
“Mind-to-mind please.”
“Sorry.” He took a breath to steady himself and strengthen his gift. She’s been teaching me, for fun. He envisioned her laughing in his rooms as he struggled with his chest. She’d been so beautiful and lighthearted then, nothing like the woman shivering in his arms now.
“How does a Lady know how to pick locks?”
Em tensed. He rubbed her back, trying to soothe her. “She’s afraid of tight places, of being trapped. Knowing how to escape a locked room calms her,” he said, blowing the words into Madi’s mind as he spoke. The stocks were a nightmare.
Madi tapped the picks against her palm. I’m sorry.
I’d like to take her home now.
To your house or hers?
Her choice. Though he had a sudden longing to see her curled up safe in his room again. He cleared his throat. “Will you have to tell your captain? This has been horrible enough. I’ll never forgive myself if she’s subjected to nasty rumors on my account as well.”
“I’ll talk to my partner and keep it quiet. We’re no more eager for the Reeve to hear about this than you are, believe me.” Madi handed him the picks. “I’ll go get her other things.”
Quintin helped Em to her feet and down from the platform. Elkart leapt easily to the ground beside them.
“Thank you for freeing me,” she said.
“I’m sorry it was necessary and glad it worked.”
Her whole body trembled. “I can’t imagine spending a week there.”
Madi cleared her throat behind them. “Here are her beans and the deed chain she was wearing.”
“Thank you,” Quintin said simply as he took the pouch. Em c
urled into him again at the sound of Madi’s voice.
Madi frowned at her. “It was an honest mistake.”
Quintin sighed. Madi had only been doing her job, but he could not pretend no harm had been done. Em felt as tense and fragile as a thread pulled too tight. “We will be more circumspect in the future,” he said.
If there is a future.
Chapter 35
“Where should we go?” Quintin asked the woman tucked against his side as they left the market square behind. Part of him never wanted to let Em go again, though his practical side knew he needed to get her to safety and then return to his own lonely bed. “Do you have an okapi outside of town?”
“I can’t go back to Merdale. Not dressed like this.”
“I could take you to my house, though I don’t relish hiding you from my mother.”
“I planned to spend the night at Aerynet. I’ve a change of clothes there and can head home in the morning.”
“As you wish.”
They walked together through the dimly lit wharf district, their bodies moving in a harmony that made him ache inside. Laughter boomed from a nearby tavern. Em started at the noise.
Elkart nudged her hip. Lady free. Why scared?
It has been a very rough night.
When they reached the stairs to her temple, he bent into a low bow of deep respect. “I’m glad your work tonight was successful.”
“Please.” She touched his cheek.
Taxing Courtship (The Hands of Destin Book 1) Page 26
