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I could not explain how there was a piece of me that craved the thief, all along.

CHAPTER 14

Kage

Torrent had tossedsilks and ribbons across the main courtyard for the whole of seven nights.

Now, on the day of the eighth, bits of the Havestia festival were still strewn about, glittering the cobblestones with crimson and blue and silver. One of the tables had toppled before the feast had been cleared, and bits of fatty meat and bones were being devoured by the crows who took up refuge in the tower.

“You lookeddeadin the dining hall.” Asger paced the edge of the courtyard. Appropriately dressed as the spare prince’s personal guard—a gold trimmed tunic, scuffed leather boots, and the palace appointed short blade with its star-etched hilt on his hip.

“Are you still on about that?”

“I can’t get it out of my mind.” Asger shot me a glare. “All the prince seems to mention is how she survived, there is no mention that you also fell.”

“Ah, yes. And I wonder how our lovely little cricket ended up in your bed, sharing your dreams.” Cy chuckled and peeled back the blue tinted skins of a pear from the orchards. “These last days, she seems quite convinced you are the villain. You must’ve done little to please her. If you have need of lessons, I’ll oblige.”

“How much experience do you have with women in your bed, Cyland?” I arched a brow.

He blew out his lips, waving me away. “I may not bed them, but I assure you both, I am more skilled with their hearts than the two of you combined.”

“What I would like to know, is why you two are not more unsettled over the draw to the dream.” Asger’s rapid steps grew closer. “Kage, she was in your damn head. It means something.”

“Likely,” was all I said. For days I’d torn apart the palace library searching for what sort of connection would invite another soul into a dream. I’d found nothing. The deepest bond in Magiaria was thesjälbond, a joining of souls. Even then it said nothing of dreams.

“Asger, slow your steps lest Hugo and his riders start to believe we’re about to fall under attack.” I popped a few roasted walnuts onto my tongue, scanning the crowds gathering below the main balcony of the palace.

“Oh, I do hope he does,” Cy said, a mischievous twist taking form in the corner of his mouth. “Hugo Byrne is the face I adore whenever I close my eyes.”

I scoffed. Should Cy be left alone, I was convinced he’d be hell-bent on destroying the hearts of every guard, rider, and Soturi across Magiaria.

Asger smacked Cy’s bicep. “Why are you not concerned with all this?”

“Asger, you have managed it for the lot of us.” Gwyn, head shrouded by a green cloak, split through the shrubs. All at once, Asger ceased his pacing and ran his palms along his head, smoothing down bits and pieces of his wild hair.

I rolled my eyes and dug into my pocket for more walnuts. “Gwyn, what are you doing down here? Surely Agatha will be missing you?”

“That brute can stick her pins beneath her fingernails.” Gwyn tossed back her hood. Her long, glossy hair was braided in a crown over her head, and her brown cheeks were dusted in too much glimmering powders. Lady Agatha, the royal seamstress, insisted her menders and tailors gleam in the candlelight.

Gwyn took a great deal of pleasure in dimming all flames whenever the old tyrant was near.

She handed me a rolled bit of yellowed parchment. “From Regent Heric’s private library. You owe me. I had to listen to that man drone on and on about the superior quality of his cloak for half the morning.”

With a sneer, Gwyn pinched my cheek until I yanked away.

“Anyone spot you?” Asger asked.

“Do you think I’d be spotted?”

“No.” He held out a hand. “No, that’s not what I meant. Merely wanted to be certain you were . . . safe to be returning unaccompanied.”

Gwyn flashed a white smile. “Sweet Asger. Women know how to handle blades as well as men.”

“I know, I . . .” Asger let his spluttering words trail off when a horn bellowed over the courtyard.

“That’s my cue to leave,” Gwyn whispered. “Tell me if she does anything interesting.”

Gwyn offered a final wink, then faded into the shrubs.