Amber Sky (C.O.I.L.S Of Copper and Brass Book 1)

by Claire Warner

  “Spiders.” Lloyd answered before Darius could, and he pointed to the wall, and what Tay had assumed were decorative brass plaques. Arranged at regular intervals, the plaques were, on closer inspection, large, eight-legged mechanical spiders. “They can be tasked to perform several roles,” Lloyd continued, as Tay leant in closer to have a look, “not the least of which is keeping the roof clear of snow.”

  “Oh.” Tay took a closer look at the still objects, the kernel of an idea forming in her mind as she stared at their articulated bodies.

  “Lyana.” Darius’ voice drew her from her contemplation, and she followed them deeper into the Palace. With each step, her sense of wonder at the decadent surroundings grew. Thick carpet absorbed the sound of their footsteps, and elegant glass lamps were attached to the walls at regular intervals. Each of the tables in the hall was made of a lustrous, honey-coloured wood, and exquisitely decorated. On the walls, several large paintings captured her interest. Landscapes met her vision, and she leant in closer, following the image of coastline and harbour with fascination. Stepping back from the seascape, she turned to stare at the richly coloured canvas behind her. Intrigued by the picture, Tay walked closer and peered at the painting. A white tower, gleaming in a painted shaft of sunlight, stood against a backdrop of dark, densely packed trees. Fascinated, Tay moved closer, tracing the lines of the picture with her eyes. A wide river flowed parallel to the tower, and off into the woods.

  “Lyana.” With a jolt, she turned her attention back to the room, and the waiting Lloyd and Darius.

  “Sorry.” With a last look at the canvas behind her, Tay followed the other two through the doors and into the room beyond.

  “Our apartments are through here,” Darius said as he led the way through the long, panelled room. Their feet sounded loudly against the polished, wooden floor, but Tay did not notice, too enthralled by the mother of pearl inlay to the panelling.

  “So what’s this room used for?” Tay asked as she tore her eyes away from the marble statues that graced each alcove.

  “This is one of the ballrooms,” Lloyd answered again, as he hurried beside them. “It will be in use tomorrow.”

  Tay stared up at the chandelier that hung from the centre of the room and tried not to gape at the number of lights attached to it. Lloyd led them through the room and out into another hallway, which was as quiet as the rest.

  “Here.” They stopped before a set of elegantly carved doors, and Tay watched in interest as Darius reached for a button set into the side of the door. There was a bell tone and the doors slid open to reveal a small, box-shaped room. Lloyd entered the room and turned back to face them. “Miss.” He stepped aside and waited.

  “What is this?” Tay took a step back, unnerved by the sight before her. “I thought we were going to our apartments.”

  A sound that could have been a stifled chuckle escaped Darius’ lips, and he leant forward.

  “This is an elevator, sister dearest,” he said, with what could only be described as brotherly condescension. “You remember, we discussed them.”

  “Oh.” Tay turned bright red and clasped her hand to her mouth. Darius and Lyana had indeed mentioned an elevator, but she had forgotten that conversation in the excitement and wonder that the trip had inspired. “Of course.” She attempted a dismissive laugh, but it was clear that it fooled no one. If Lloyd were anything like the servants at the Frazers’ home, her faux pas would spread through the kitchen like wildfire.

  “Please.” Lloyd indicated the room for the second time, and she walked forward with trepidation, Darius following close behind her. Once all three stood within the small space, Lloyd reached forward and pulled the two sets of doors closed. The light from the hallway beyond was replaced by the dim light that emanated from a glow-ball light that was attached to the wall. Tay felt uncomfortable as the small room darkened, completing the illusion that they were standing in a coffin. Her mind supplied the unhelpful thought as Lloyd pressed the second of the three buttons beside the door. There was a shudder, and the elevator began to move. Tay jumped, the sensation of travelling upward vaguely unpleasant, and she gritted her teeth in an effort to remain calm. With agonising slowness, the elevator moved between the floors. Tay clenched her hands at her sides, breathing long, steady breaths in through her nose. The enclosed space seemed to heighten her senses. In the awkward stillness, she could smell the cologne that Darius used. The musky, slightly spicy scent filled her nostrils, and she closed her eyes, clinging to the scent as a distraction from the stale elevator air.

  There was a clunk, and they came to a stop. Tay opened her eyes, as Lloyd pulled open the door.

  “I know the way from here,” Darius said as he took hold of her arm, and escorted her back to the hallway. Without a backward glance, Darius led her along the dimly-lit hall, and toward the door at the end.

  “Here we are.” Darius stepped into the large room, and she stopped in shock. A large window dominated the right-hand wall, overlooking the snow-laden gardens. A fireplace sat on the opposite wall, a coffee table and two sofas laid out before it. Several paintings adorned the walls, their rich colours warm against the pale walls. A deep pile carpet laid on the floor, and Tay stepped out of her boots so she could wriggle her toes in the warm expanse. A large bookcase stood next to the fire, and Tay ran her fingers along the spines of books bound in leather and gold.

  “Your rooms are through there.” She raised her head as Darius spoke, and took note of the direction he was pointing. “Your maid has been sent up and should be waiting for you.”

  “Thanks.” Nervous once more, she turned to face the door he had indicated, and she stepped through into a smaller living room. A large stove sat in the middle of the chamber, bordered by two, curved, high-backed sofas. Bookcases lined the walls, and her estimation of Lyana etched up to a notch. Another door laid on the left-hand wall, and she walked toward it, dread in every step.

  Chapter 13

  The door swung open before she could reach it, and a figure walked in from the other room. Tay stopped moving, shock freezing her in place. Stunned into silence, she could only gape in disbelief.

  “Surprised?” A cheeky smile creased Beth’s features, as Tay slowly sank into one of the chairs, too stunned to think.

  “How?” she stammered out eventually, as Beth moved to stand beside her. “How do you…” A peculiar rushing sound filled her ears, and she leant forward, placing her head between her legs as she tried to control her breathing. The sofa sank a little as Beth sat next to her.

  “It was Lars’ idea.” A hand reached out and gently patted her on the back.

  “How do you know Lars?” Tay was struggling to understand. The unreality of the situation made her head swim, and panicked thoughts of discovery whirled through her mind. She moaned and pressed her hands to her face.

  “He’s my older brother.” Beth slid her arm across Tay’s back. “He said you might need help.”

  “I don’t understand.” Tay lowered her hands and stared Beth in the face. “Why does Lars need me to spy for them?” Anger bubbled within her. “They already have you in the house. Why do I have to do this?” Beth’s hand dropped from her shoulder. “I’m already stuck doing this thing for Darius, why do I have to do this as well?”

  “Tay, I didn’t know he got you involved.”

  “But you knew about my parents.” Tay pushed herself out of the chair. “You knew about my situation.” Beth reached out a hand toward her, but she slapped it down. “Why do I have to do this?”

  “Because Darius didn’t ask me,” Beth answered. “And when I found out, I told my brother I’d have to help you.”

  “Help?” Tay snapped back. “Or to make sure I do my job?”

  “Help,” Beth repeated firmly, as she handed Tay a handkerchief. “I’m sorry he put this on you, but it’s done now.”

  Tay dabbed the angry tears from her eyes and paced across the floor.

  “So what about Darius?” she asked, as a
troubling thought occurred to her. “He knows you work next door…”

  “It’s fine,” Beth interrupted.

  “How?”

  The door to the wardrobe opened, and Beth began rummaging through its contents. “He trusts me,” was her only answer as she began to pull garments free. “Come on, we have to get you ready for dinner.”

  “Dinner?” Sudden terror filled her voice, drowning her concerns about Darius. “You mean I have to go down and meet people?”

  “Yes.” Beth removed a robe from the cupboard and placed it on the bed. “Now come on, you can’t do your job if you’re stuck in your room.”

  “But that’s not what…” Anger flared into life as Tay whirled on her heel, and strode back toward the main suite.

  “Darius.” Throwing open the door, she stalked toward him, noting his flinch with a hint of satisfaction.

  “Is there a problem?” he asked, the mild question fuelling Tay’s anger.

  “You’re damned right there is,” she snarled back, pacing the room with the energy of a caged tiger. “Why didn’t you let me know that I had to go to dinner this evening?”

  “Didn’t I?” he asked, his voice deceptively mild.

  “No, you bloody didn’t,” Tay snapped back, anger making her voice sharp. “You only said I had to go to the damned ball.” Her hands closed into fists. “You never said anything about a dinner.”

  “You can handle it.” He opened a nearby cupboard, and drew out a dark green bottle.

  “Don’t give me that,” she retorted. “You said I had to sign a document, not socialise.” Ragged breaths escaped her lips as she tried to stave off angry tears. “This isn’t going to work.”

  “It will work,” Darius replied, pouring a glass of wine. Placing the bottle back in the cupboard, he turned to face her. “Because you will make it work.” He took a sip, and settled down onto one of the chairs. Taking a look at her mutinous face, he gave a sigh. “I thought you could turn it down, but apparently you have to attend.” He took another sip. “You won’t meet your betrothed; it’s for women only and these girls are infrequent guests.” Standing, he walked over to her and held out the glass. Tay ignored the proffered drink, rage still bubbling through her.

  “I was beginning to think you were different,” Tay said, her voice almost trembling with emotion.

  “When did I ever give that impression?” he replied, after a moment’s pause. “But this is something you have to attend.” He returned his glass to the table. “If I could get you out of it, I would, but I can’t, and you have a job to do.” His voice grew cooler, almost glacial in tone. “So, get on and do it.”

  “Fine.” Tay whirled round and stormed through the door to her suite.

  Beth turned as she stalked back in through the door. “What happened?”

  “Don’t ask,” Tay snapped back, as she bent down and pulled the boots off her feet. Flinging herself onto the couch, she tried to gather her wits. “I shouldn’t be at this dinner,” she complained, her words echoing slightly in the large room. “If they see me too clearly…” Shuffling forward, she pulled the coat from her shoulders and dropped it to the floor.

  “No one will have met his sister,” Beth replied, as she picked up the discarded boots, and placed them next to the fire, where they began to steam from the heat. “And none of the suitors will be able to meet you before the ball.” Before Tay could move, Beth picked up the coat and hung it on the stand in the corner. “So, don’t worry about that.” She reached out a hand. “Just try not to say too much.”

  Tay sighed once before she allowed Beth to drag her upright and usher her through the door into the bedroom.

  “Wow.” Tay stopped moving, and briefly forgot her arguments with Darius and Beth, as she walked into a brightly lit bedchamber. Decorated in deep reds and warm gold, the room was rich and inviting. Heavy red drapes hung at the windows that graced the north and east walls. A subtly patterned, deep gold paper lined the walls, giving the room a welcoming glow. On the floor, a carpet in the same shade as the curtains welcomed her stockinged feet.

  “Nice, huh?” Beth led her past the large, ornate bed and pushed open the door on the west wall. “What do you think of the bathroom?”

  Tay poked her head through the door, and her jaw dropped at the sight of the room beyond. Larger than the bathroom at Darius’ home, a tub big enough for three laid in the centre. Ornate glass and brass lamps arced out from the walls to light the room.

  Tay glanced over at Beth, her mouth struggling with the words to describe the luxury she saw before her.

  “I know,” Beth said, as she walked past her, and turned on the taps. “And back near the Factory, we can only hope to get enough to stay alive.” Steam drifted into the air as the bath began to fill. Beth turned back to face her. “I’m sorry for Lars, I don’t know why he made you do this.”

  Tay sighed and sat on the edge of the bath. “I’m not angry with you.” Her fingers toyed with one of the bottles. “I just feel used for no reason at all.”

  “Look, I’m going to help you survive this,” Beth continued. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.” She reached out a hand. “Friends?”

  Tay swallowed, before reaching out to clasp Beth’s hand. “Friends,” she replied, pushing the anger far from her.

  “Okay.” Beth pointed back to the bedroom. “Let’s get you ready. Come on, get your clothes off.” Tay glanced over at her and raised an eyebrow. “Well, you’re hardly going to take a bath dressed, are you?” she argued, as she took hold of Tay’s hand, and led her back to the bedroom.

  “Fine,” Tay answered, as she began to undo the buttons on her blouse, “but I get to undress myself, I’m not completely comfortable with someone else doing it.” A chortle escaped Beth’s lips, and Tay glared at her. “Now what?”

  The other girl shrugged. “Maybe now you’re uncomfortable.” She smirked as she picked up the blouse that Tay had dropped to the floor. “But I’m fairly sure that you’ll meet the right person, and be begging them to tear the clothes from your body.”

  “But that’s entirely different.” Tay stepped out of her skirt and scowled at the other girl as she divested herself of her undergarments. “Having someone else undress me as though it’s a normal thing makes me feel like an incompetent baby.” Naked, she walked into the steam-filled bathroom and looked down at the tub.

  “You’re not that.” Beth reached into a cupboard and removed two thick towels before she tested the water. She dried her fingers on her skirt, and tapped the edge of the bath. “Hop in.”

  Tay bathed as Beth hurried about the room, picking out her clothing for that evening.

  “I still don’t understand how you managed to get assigned to me,” she called through the door, “and you never mentioned that Lars was your brother.” She lifted her hand from the water and marvelled at the steam that drifted from her skin.

  “I didn’t know you knew him,” the answer came back. “But when I mentioned your name…”

  “…he thought of sending you here.” Tay reached out and seized hold of the bar of soap. “But how did he manage it?”

  “Don’t know.” The bathroom door opened, and Beth walked back in. “I have to assume he has contacts that I don’t know about.”

  “I see.” Tay ducked her head beneath the water, trying to focus her thoughts. The sick, unsettled feeling still rippled through her body and she sat back up, water streaming down her face. For a moment, quiet reigned in the bathroom, broken only by the gentle splash of water. Tay’s thoughts chased through her head, flashing between Darius, Lars, her family, and strangely, the last conversation at the Frazers’.

  “Beth.” Beth finished arranging a set of towels and turned to face her.

  “What is it?”

  “What did Lora mean?” With all the strain of the past few days, she still hadn’t forgotten Beth’s speedy retreat.

  Beth stilled and nervously wet her lips. “She…err…” Her voice trembled slightly.
“I have a girlfriend,” she uttered eventually, the words stuttering slightly as they reached the air. “And Lora’s managed to ruin friendships for me by revealing that.” Tay turned the information over in her mind as Beth took an involuntary step back. “Look, I wasn’t a friend for any reason other than friendship. I don’t fancy every girl I meet.” The words almost tripped over themselves in their bid to make themselves heard.

  For a moment, Tay didn’t speak, weighing the information in her mind. Did it make that much of a difference, especially considering the utter mess the rest of her life was in.

  “If you want another maid…”

  “No.” Tay’s voice echoed across the bathroom, startling them both with its volume. “I can’t do this alone.” She clambered out of the bath and reached Beth’s side. “I don’t care what Lora says.” The water ran from her body and pooled on the floor. “She’s an unpleasant cow, you’ve been nothing but a friend, why would I do what she wants?”

  Beth gave a small smile and wordlessly handed her a towel. Tay dragged the soft fabric across her body as Beth returned to the other room.

  “I’ll get your clothes ready.” Her words echoed slightly as Tay finished drying and reached for the nearby robe. Tugging the robe closed, she returned to the bedroom, thoughts of the conversation disappearing as she faced the small stack of clothing that was lying on the bed.

  “Am I going to have to wear all of this?” she asked as she stared down at the small pile in horror.

  “Not all at once.” Beth lifted the first dress from the mound, and held it against her. The gauzy confection of lace and organza was ice blue, and Tay shot Beth a quizzical look. “Okay, not that one.” She placed the dress back on the bed and turned to the next outfit.

  Half an hour passed as they moved through outfit after outfit, more than once Tay insisted that they stop and pick a dress, but Beth was adamant that she find one that was perfect for her first night in the Palace.

  “It’s not as if I mean to stay here,” Tay protested, as a perfectly serviceable dress in dove grey was thrown back on the bed. “Why are you going out of your way to make me memorable?”