Page 5

“Please, wait here while I fetch him.” The novice shut the doors, latched them, and scurried off, her fast footsteps echoing as she rounded the curve of the main tower and disappeared from sight.

In here, the scent of smoke—incense—hung heavy. Like the outside, the inside of the Tower of the Living and the Dead glimmered. Artists had etched constellations into the stone hallways. Torches affixed to the walls made the constellations shimmer. I took a moment to study the one right across from the door but could not name it. Heat flushed my face. Though my lack of knowledge about the dead gods had never bothered me before, standing in such a place of grandeur and reverence, I felt like I should know such a thing.

“What if he says no?” Sayyida whispered, gray-blueeyes wide. She exchanged a look with Marit, who chewed on her bottom lip and twirled a lock of fire-red hair between her fingers. “What then?”

“He won’t,” Prince Vale shot back, his tone defensive.

Sayyida snorted, but as a knock came at the main door, she opted to stay quiet and open it. Powerful floral scents wafted inside, preceding three females, two faeries and one nymph, who scurried inside with Clemencia at their heels.

“The rest were, um, occupied,” Clemencia said, catching Lord Riis’s eye.

“These three will do. Lella, Dagny, and Minthe, how would you like to leave the hustle and bustle of the city? You could move to a smaller brothel in a nicer town?”

My confusion cleared. These were whores in Lord Riis’s employ.

“With better pay,” the faerie with cascading red curls and a large bosom stepped forward, speaking for the lot.

“How does triple your earnings sound?” Lord Riis offered.

“I want a madame position and pay, my lord.”

Lord Riis let out an amused chuckle. “I should have seen that coming. Yes, Lella, I can make that happen. With one condition.”

“What’s that, my lord?” Lella asked, full eyebrows arched and eyes glinting.

“Tell as many people as you can what you’re about to witness. Do it as fast as you can. While you travel, and after you settle into your new home.”

“All we need to do is gossip?” Lella’s lips tilted up untilshe looked like a particularly satisfied cat. “I guess it’s good that pretty young thing”—she nodded to Clemencia—“pulled the three of us from the Warmsnap Tavern, isn’t it, my lord?”

Lord Riis’s lips curled up in amusement. “I have to say, she chose well. Minthe? Dagny? Are you amenable to moving your contracts, spreading the word, and, of course, earning more coin?”

Minthe and Dagny agreed, and by the time those short-winded negotiations finished, Sir Caelo had arrived with two other figures in tow.

In the time since we’d last seen him, the knight had removed his glamour. His hair was short and black once again, and his bright blue eyes were alert as he brought the newcomers inside.

One, a reedy youngling of sixteen or seventeen, looked familiar. I was studying him, trying to place those warm gold eyes, when Prince Vale went to the boy.

“Filip, this is dangerous. I’m not sure Lord Balik would want you here.”

Filip puffed out his chest. “My father would be honored for me to attend your wedding.”

“You won’t convince him, Vale,” Sir Caelo countered. “He overheard me speaking with Sir Qildor.” Caelo inclined his head toward the other newcomer, a strapping knight with violet eyes and donning the heavy gold cloak of the Clawsguard. I’d seen him before too. He was the knight guarding Prince Vale’s door the evening I’d stumbled into the prince’s room through a hidden door. He’d seen me leave and remained quiet on Prince Vale’s orders.

“I tried to warn Filip off already,” Caelo continued, “but he claimed that as your squire, he should be here.”

The prince’s squire.

That struck a chord, and a memory of the day I’d met Prince Vale resurfaced. The squire had trailed the prince, a sword in hand. And he looked even more familiar because I’d met this boy’s sisters.

Filip was a Balik, from the noble house of the southlands, brother to Eireann and Baenna. I’d played nuchi with those ladies my first night in Avaldenn. Their brother looked much like them: the same honey-colored eyes and golden-brown hair, the same rich, terra-cotta skin tone.

“I don’tneedto convince him.” Prince Vale’s voice took on a harder tone, to which the boy’s eyes widened.

“You wouldn’t order me away, my prince. I’m your squire, meant to be with you when you’re in danger.” The youngling paused, wisdom in his honey-gold eyes. “And surely, you are now. From what I heard Sir Caelo say, you will need as many reputable witnesses as possible.”

“And some less fine reputations too.” Lella sniggered.

Prince Vale looked like he was about to argue, but before he could get a word out, heavy, rushed footsteps sounded. Others were coming. Lord Riis placed his hand on the prince.