The air smelled of flowers. There were greens and blossoms draped along the banisters of the staircase. Her petticoats rustled as she moved, drawing the attention of several men standing guard at the main doorway. They bowed to her and one extended his hand toward the back of the house. Sophia took a moment to look out the open front doors. Night had fallen and there were lanterns placed along the long driveway to welcome the arriving guests.
The guard moved, blocking her view with his body. Once again he extended his arm toward the ballroom. She heard the music and could smell the scents of fine food, but it did not beckon to her as the night did—freedom.
But if she wanted it, she would have to outwit her captors. She’d done it once, which meant she could do it again. Would do it again.
At the base of the staircase, she turned and heard the delicate sound of crystal clinking. Conversation floated through the house as the musicians played. The doors to the ballroom were open and the prince was there to receive his guests—not standing as she might have expected, but once more the man was seated in his throne chair. It was set on a raised platform so that he was at eye level with those greeting him.
“Who gave her a dance card?” Afanasi complained. “She must be with her companion—sets sell so much better.”
He looked her up and down with the same critical eye that one might use on a mare. He lifted a hand and indicated that she should turn around. Instead of annoying her, his commands amused her, so she turned and stopped in front of him as he offered her a satisfied smirk. She curled her lips back so he might see her teeth.
“Impertinent peasant,” he sneered.
“If that is meant to imply that I am not anything like yourself, I accept the compliment.”
Someone offered her a soft applause from behind. She turned to discover Bion closing the distance between them without a single tap coming from his polished boots. He was turned out in grand fashion, his vest a dark amber silk that also complemented his newly transformed eyes. He wore a dark overcoat that fit him superbly and a silk cravat was knotted at his neck. He looked over the rim of his purple-tinted glasses at her, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes before he masked it.
“Try and escape and you will be shot by my men,” the prince informed them. The butler standing behind him didn’t even blink to indicate that he was startled by his master’s words. “I assure you, there are ample men on duty. The people on my land know who their betters are and how to mind their places.”
The hard tone of certainty in his voice irritated her beyond every lesson her mother had taught her on politeness being absolutely necessary no matter the circumstances. Somehow, she knew her mother would understand. She turned and offered Bion a curtsy.
“My dear Captain, might you possibly offer me escort? I find I am in desperate need of fresh air. It seems unbearably stuffy here, the company beyond stifling.”
Bion bent at the waist and offered her his hand with all the polish of a gentleman. The prince grunted, managing to sound like an overgrown child.
“That was delightfully skillful, my dear,” Bion remarked as they swept into the ballroom and the guests turned to look at them. “I doubt your mother taught such a skill, so I am left wondering just where you learned to insult with such grace.”
“Fishing for compliments, sir?” She realized she was gripping his hand too tightly but couldn’t seem to defeat the impulse to hold on to him. Had it really only been less than a day since she had watched him being torn away from her in chains?
Oh yes, her heart was upon her sleeve. Actually, she was sure she had already given it away to Bion.
“Do you think I crave kind words of praise any less than you do?” He spoke softly, but she heard something in his tone that sounded very much like the same emotion she felt. It may not be true, but it was better than focusing on the blunt details of her current situation. For the moment, she was dressed in her finest and on the arm of the most dashing man present. Being happy was within her grasp; all she had to do was choose to be so.
“I will be most happy to lavish you with praise tonight if you will indulge me by being my escort.”
***
“We may return for the auction tomorrow, but that is the best I was able to do. The guards weren’t letting anyone not on their guest list through, no matter how good the bribe offered.” Decima climbed into the carriage Lykos had been ordered to remain inside of with a huff. Her frustration matched his own and in a way made it possible for him to dispense with some of the tension that had been hounding him.
“You have employed far more charm than I ever might have and still we are defeated.”
Decima shot him a chilling glance from her place on the opposite side of the carriage. The excessive volume of her skirts and petticoat made it necessary for her gown to be draped over his legs. Lykos stretched out his leg, brushing hers slightly.
“This is not the time for toying with me, Guardian.”
Lykos used his cane to knock on the wall behind his head. The driver instantly set the horses into motion. The carriage jerked and rocked.
“I disagree, Guardian Talaska. Toying with you will distract me from the rather primitive experience of riding in a horse-drawn carriage. At least we shall be able to end this visit to the backwaters by tomorrow.”
“I don’t like leaving here.” Decima moved her leg away and looked out the window. She was studying the grounds, searching for a weakness.
“If you discover a way out, we should return in more suitable attire to wait there.” Lykos became serious. “Because if there is a way out, my money says Bion will find it.”
“No faith in you for Sophia?” Decima asked but didn’t give him time to answer. “She might be just what Bion Donkova needs to assist him in an escape.”
Lykos considered the view for a moment. “Because she might employ charm where Bion tends to forget that the lowest maid might be persuaded to grant mercy to the imprisoned if given a little attention? True.”
Which was what made Decima a very effective Hunter Guardian. Lykos fought the urge to look at her. She was gowned in rich silk that complemented her emerald green eyes. The fabric puddled around her, making her appear as if she was rising from a garden pool like some fae maiden. She was delicate in appearance but what made her almost irresistible was the strength in her eyes. One never saw it until they were too close to escape. She was like a snow leopard—smaller than their counterparts but no less deadly.
“What time is the auction?”
“Sunset. Apparently, the prince likes to stretch his gala celebrations until nearly sunrise. So he won’t be ready to conduct business until late in the day.” She tapped her gloved fingers against her fan. “And yet the telegraph said it was dawn. I cannot help but be suspicious.”
“So it seems we will have to remain watchful or risk having our Navigators sold out from beneath our noses.”
***
“I do believe you are challenging me, Miss Stevenson.”
She wasn’t unaccustomed to Bion taking issue with her, but there was an amused twist to his lips that surprised her.
His eyes narrowed for just a moment when the musicians struck up a waltz and his grin became mocking. “Ah, the opportunity to prove myself.”
“How so?”
Bion didn’t answer her. He captured her hand and tugged her toward the dance floor. Years of lessons on etiquette kicked in and she glided along beside him without a single misstep. But her mind was full of doubts as he swept her into the flow of dancers. Her skirts whirled up as he turned her around and around. She looked over his shoulder and then across to the opposite side and back, as her dance teacher had taught her.
But for the first time she was tempted to look into her partner’s eyes. As she passed the doorway, she caught a glimpse of a guard and there was no more hesitation. She locked gazes with Bion, uncaring of the gossip that might result. Let them see her fascination with him. What mattered most was allowing herself to savor t
he moment. It might well be her last one in his embrace.
But she wouldn’t dwell on that now. No.
Instead, she enjoyed the feeling of his body next to hers, the hard power that seemed to flow from him. He might be dressed in finest silk and wool, but where her hand rested on his shoulder she felt the iron strength of his flesh. His eyes narrowed, the hand resting on the small of her back pulling her closer, as if he couldn’t resist the urge either. Hunger flared in his eyes and she felt a blush teasing her cheeks. His attention dropped to her lips, the tender surface tingling with anticipation.
But the waltz ended, and the couples around them broke apart as they softly applauded. Bion blew out a breath before stepping back from her. Frustration nipped at her and she was certain she saw the same thing in his eyes. There wasn’t much time for her to think about it because the musicians began a lively polka and Bion’s lips twitched again into an amused grin. He caught her up in the rhythm, and they were sweeping across the polished dance floor once more.
“You doubted my expertise on the dance floor?”
The polka left her breathless; the corset was so tightly laced beneath her brocade bodice it restricted her efforts to draw in deep breaths. Bion didn’t really need an answer; the man was quite clearly pleased with his efforts.
“True, I did doubt your ability to partner me.”
He lifted her hand and raised it to his lips. For a moment they were once again impossibly close, and this time, her lack of breath had nothing to do with the corset. The cause was the look in his eyes. It would be so simple to believe he was smitten with her.
“I’m accomplished in moonlight kisses along garden pathways as well. However, I doubt Afanasi’s guards will be kind enough to allow me the opportunity to prove myself.”
He kissed the back of her gloved hand and retreated to a respectable distance. It was only a single step, yet it felt like a vast canyon separated them. Drawing him back to her was the only thought in her mind.
“Now, that skill is something you have proven to me, Captain Donkova.”
He frowned and slowly shook his head. “No, Sophia, I haven’t, to my regret. There has been no sweet courting between us and that is my failing. Perhaps you will be generous enough to allow me to make the most of the evening, since it appears we shall be denied the garden.”
He settled her hand on his forearm and began to walk her slowly around the room. A few gentlemen tried to step into their path and reach for her dance card but a scowl from Bion sent them away. She let herself become immersed in the moment, ignoring the guards stationed at every doorway. She refused to acknowledge anything except for the feeling of walking on the arm of the man escorting her.
***
“I only want the woman,” Captain Aetos urged. “And I need to be gone before their Illuminist brethren return. Accept my offer and auction the man tomorrow. It was my Root Ball that created him.”
“The woman is more valuable than the man,” Prince Afanasi countered. “She has confessed to being lovers with her trainer, which means there might be another Navigator growing inside her.”
“I need a Navigator now; babies don’t interest me,” Aetos snapped.
“But they do interest me.” A third man stepped from where he had been standing in the shadows. He ignored Aetos and offered the prince a formal bow. “The offspring of two Navigators is born with its parents’ abilities. Once weaned, it could be raised to be loyal to the Helikeian cause.”
Dr. Nerval peered through his spectacles at the couple at the other end of the ballroom. For the first time since he’d been forced to flee from Britain over the loss of his newly discovered Pure Spirit Janette Aston, he was excited. “By rights, it was my actions that helped create this Navigator. You should accept my offer for the female and let her spend the night with her lover again.”
“You have no rights on my land that I do not give you,” the prince insisted. “They will be auctioned tomorrow at midday. Now leave me to my guests and do not let my merchandise see you. I do not want my guests disturbed by their panic.”
Aetos and Dr. Nerval didn’t care for his orders, but Prince Afanasi smiled as his men stepped forward to ensure his will was done. That was as it should be. The prince’s captain of the guard returned and bowed, obviously wanting to ask a question.
“Yes?”
The guard straightened. “We told the Illuminist members the auction was at sunset as you instructed.”
Prince Afanasi stood up and descended from the platform his chair was positioned on. He stopped and allowed his valet to straighten his vest and help him into an overcoat. Only when his manservant had bowed did Afanasi answer.
“This auction is about more than gold. The Illuminists might be able to best the other bidders in that but not in connections. They hold to their Oaths of Allegiance too strictly for what I want.”
“Then why tell them to return at all?”
The prince shook his finger at his captain. “Because, in business, it is always wise to keep your options open. Besides, I might decide to allow those Illuminists to pay me to tell them who has their Navigators after I have sold them to someone else. Jordon Camden is not the only one who understands the value of information.”
Bion and Sophia caught his attention through the arched doorway of the ballroom. Many of his guests were turning to bow to him as he joined them, but Afanasi paused just outside the doorway. Sophia was smiling sweetly into the face of her escort, leaning toward him as he covered her hand where it rested on his forearm. The attraction between them was genuine and unmistakable.
Which of course meant he should capitalize on it. Dr. Nerval had a very good suggestion.
“Captain, I have a new instruction for you concerning my merchandise.”
***
Time escaped her.
Sophia didn’t care, not a bit. But the world would not be ignored forever. Bion stiffened, alerting her to the end of their evening. She looked up to see six guards marching toward them. The few remaining guests looked on with curiosity but no one took exception.
“It seems our chaperones have taken notice of our familiarity.” Bion spoke quietly.
Bion placed a kiss on the back of her hand as sedately as any suitor might have, but flickering in his eyes was pure hellfire. She laughed softly because it was better than allowing a sob to break free.
Later.
She sunk into a low curtsy as the guards surrounded her. It felt like a firing squad came to take her to her execution. Their impending separation was tearing a hole in her heart, but she lifted her chin. She was no coward. No, only a woman in love and she would cherish it.
Yaneta and her two maids waited just outside the ballroom. Sophia glanced at the large clock ticking slowly away in the hallway and found that it was just past midnight. Rather early for a gala ball to end, but there was a steady line of carriages pulling up in front of the main entrance. As she climbed the stairs, she watched footmen return wraps and overcoats to those making ready to depart.
It seemed the prince would not be hosting his guests in the numerous rooms in his large house. Of course not, he’s planning a flesh sale and couldn’t possibly want witnesses to that.
“Hurry now,” Yaneta encouraged Sophia once she’d climbed to the top of the stairs. The maid seemed flustered and waved her forward. Yes, yes, better to be locked up before she made a run for it.
Sophia hesitated, looking behind her for Bion. It felt like a noose was tightening around her neck, the sensation destroying the delightful mood she’d enjoyed throughout the night. The double doors to the bedroom she’d dressed in were open, more burly guards standing ready in the hallway should she decide to resist. She walked past them and heard the doors close. The moment it did, the maids closed in on her.
Someone had started the phonograph and there were candles lit on the side tables. Sophia turned in a circle, taking in the details of the rooms and her nape tingled with suspicion. It looked like a scene set for seductio
n.
“Take the dress off her.” Yaneta clapped her hands and pulled the flowers from Sophia’s hair herself.
“What is the hurry?” she asked, but none of the women answered. They were all tense, as if they expected something was going to happen. Sophia turned away from their hands.
There was a knock on the door and Yaneta gasped. “We took too long,” she lamented.
Sophia stared at the woman. The doors opened and Sophia hugged her partially opened bodice closed. The three women scurried toward the door, slipping out as the guards shoved Bion through it.
“I’ll lock you back in shackles if you even turn the doorknob,” one guard warned. The door slammed shut the moment the warning was issued. The sound echoed through the chambers, followed by the soft sound of Bion chuckling.
“What can you possibly be amused by?” she asked softly.
Bion walked toward her. “The fact that I am content to not meet that puppy’s challenge because it would cost me your company.”
His tone was dry and serious, but the compliment made her blush. “I see. Are you quite certain your reputation as a man of action shall survive?”
He stopped in front of her as her belly tightened with anticipation. He pulled his glove off, one fingertip at a time before tossing it onto a nearby table. With a gentle touch, he stroked her cheek. Sensation rippled down her body, raising gooseflesh.
“I believe I have been grossly mistaken on just what manner of action is more important.” His second glove joined its mate. “And God forgive me, I know Afanasi is a calculating bastard, but I don’t really care because his plans favor my own desires.”
“Plans?” Her brain was having difficulty functioning. All she wanted to do was drown in the flood of sensation he inspired.
Bion shrugged and pulled his cravat off with a satisfied grunt. “I believe he wants to increase your value by being able to claim you might be carrying.”
Her cheeks burned scarlet, but she smiled with satisfaction. “I told Yaneta we were lovers. I can’t believe it actually worked.” She rubbed her hands together, trying to think. “Now we can escape.”
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