Page 12 of A Taste For Lies (The Apex Kingdom #1)
Chapter 12
ALORA
V eridia is more beautiful than I imagined.
A vibrant quilt of golden wheat fields, orchards, and vegetable gardens blanket the countryside. Compared to Shanterra’s stark mountain climate, it’s a veritable paradise. Moisture coats the air, ripe with the sweet tang of dropping fruit, as we descend towards sea level.
Eleni and I are both bursting with excitement to see the ocean for the first time, Len even more than me. She was only a baby when her family crossed over from Thalassar through the Veridian port. But it will have to wait until later. The marina is on the other side of the city from where we’ll be entering, and I promised Xinlei we’d go straight to the Veridian Guild upon arrival.
We stop to regroup in the last copse of trees before the bridge—the one main entrance over a sparkling river leading to the high, white stone city walls. Worryingly, it’s manned by Apex who could potentially recognize the royals immediately.
The original plan was for Astrid and Maeve to enter as themselves, acting as a distraction. The rest of us would stay tucked into our cloaks despite the more temperate Veridian weather. But after a heated discussion, Carter agrees to accompany Astrid and Maeve and lead the striders. The animals, faster and with superior endurance to horses, are too expensive and too noticeable for Eleni and me to ride one to The Painted Mask.
Taran should quite obviously be going with them, but he insists on accompanying me and Eleni through the city—even if he can’t come to the inn. I’d like to argue, but I’ve already stood my ground against a volatile stoneclaw once today. I’m not eager to repeat the experience.
“What are you planning to tell the guild?” Taran sounds like he’s trying to keep the suspicion out of his voice. He’s failing at it. Miserably.
I blow out a frustrated breath. “You just worry about staying out of sight and winning us enough time to negotiate before the whole city knows their prince is back. I’ll worry about what to tell the guild.”
He stiffens. “I might be able to help. I told you, the palace has contracted with them before.”
“On what?” I give the prince a sidelong glance. “Don’t tell me. Security.”
“How did you know that?” A startled expression flickers across his face. “I thought you said you’ve never met with the Veridian Guild.”
I shrug one shoulder. “Lucky guess.” So the rumors are true. It’s no wonder he sought outside help for this job. If the palace is already working that closely with the guild, the thief would have to be a foreigner.
And I don’t see the Thalassarian Sea Serpent sailing into Ravenscrest to assist.
“Taran,” Carter interrupts. “Are either of the guards on the bridge olfactory?”
Taran barely glances in their direction before answering. “No. Both auditory. Low power levels, which is why they’re posted at the gates and not assigned as guardians. Jaxon and Levi.”
Of course, the prince is familiar with every Apex under his employ. Even at this distance, he can scent who they are. “Can you…” I shouldn’t ask. But my curiosity is practically a living thing and not easily tamped down, even when I know better. One of my greatest weaknesses, according to Xinlei.
“Can I what?”
“Can you scent Apex creatures too? ”
“Yes.” He actually gives me a straight answer. “I can scent their inner creature along with their Apex sense and the strength and nature of their gift.”
He fires back his own question before I have a chance to mull that over. “What was the thing you wanted more than money? That you were about to ask for in exchange for stealing the amulet?”
We both know the exact moment he’s referring to. “Does it matter? You’ve already promised me anything I want.”
Dark satisfaction rolls through me at his answering scowl. I’m not used to having the upper hand. Usually, the person across the table is Xinlei. “You should let Maeve do your negotiating in the future.” I nod towards the Elite lady, now resplendent in an expensive riding habit. Astrid and Carter have likewise changed into their uniforms. “She never would have offered that.”
Taran snorts. “I’d like to refute that statement, but you’re spot on. Maeve is much more attuned to political matters and advantageous deals.” His eyes narrow. “Let’s hope you are, too, Lady Lynx. For all our sakes.”
“I certainly seem to be doing well for myself so far,” I respond airily, but my stomach clenches at the reminder. My gaze darts over to Eleni, giving our strider a farewell pat. It’s her guild membership on the line, too, if I can’t pull this off.
I shake my head. Rule Number Ten: Maintain control. I will pull this off. I’ve got the favor of the Shanterran guild master and the crown’s coin on my side. The hole in my chest pangs fitfully. As well as the proper motivation. If I do this job, the prince will give me access to those guardian ledgers. And I’ll finally get some answers. All I need is to win this waiver.
Taran pulls a heavy coin purse from his jacket and places it in my hand. But before letting go, he pauses, grip firm around the pouch. “I’m trusting you not to run off with this.”
I reach into my own pocket for the pearls I secreted there when we stopped earlier. They buzz like bees against my fingertips, still cool to the touch. “Here.” I drop them into the prince’s waiting palm. “Don’t ever let it be said the Lynx doesn’t hold up her end. ”
His broad hand douses their mysterious light. As he tucks them in his own pocket, there’s the barely perceptible sound of them sliding against an object already there. Whatever he was touching before. His eyes meet mine, noticing where my attention has gone.
“They taste like the ocean in the air,” he rasps, his voice a husky timbre that sends chills scattering down the back of my neck. “That’s how I knew you were lying.”
I bite my lip. “I thought their story was a myth to drive up the price, but…”
“But?”
“But there’s something about them, isn’t there? The way you can smell them, the way they make my skin tingle—”
He gives me a sharp look. “Your skin tingles when you touch them?”
“Tare,” Carter interrupts again. “It’s time.”
Maeve, Astrid and Carter start off first, Maeve sauntering towards the guards at the bridge as only a royal Elite can. Astrid and Carter march stiffly behind her, leading the striders.
“Jaxon, I thought that was you!” Maeve’s trilling voice is nothing but pure delight.
“You honor me, Lady Ashbourne.” Jaxon is gruff but clearly pleased the royal lady recognized him.
“And Levi, how is your sister faring?” She’s really laying it on thick. I wonder if she actually knows these Apex or if Carter fed her this information earlier.
Either way, it’s working. We pass unnoticed, cloaks drawn tightly over our faces, as the guards barely glance our way, enraptured by the dazzling redhead. Dusk lengthens the shadows of the travelers and wagons who rumble across the wide bridge, limiting visibility.
Taran hunches over like a weary laborer, keeping to the other side of a crofter’s wagon. In spite of myself, I’m impressed by his ability to transform his formidable presence into something more subdued and unassuming.
Careful to keep my face covered by my hood, I sneak glances of the city in the dimming light as we pass through the high stone walls. I can’t get over how green everything is here. As we make our way down narrow cobblestone streets, potted plants spill over balconies and crowd the front stoops of the shops and residences. Creeping ivy drapes up the sides of colorful stucco buildings nestled into the shadow of the white stone walls. Even many of the flat rooftops have gardens made of planter boxes.
Just before the entrance to a raucous tavern, Taran ducks into an alleyway. Eleni and I follow close behind.
“The Painted Mask is three blocks up, two to the right, a sharp left, and you can’t miss it,” he murmurs. “I’ll meet you back at this tavern in one hour.” He inclines his head towards the building next door. A faded sign proclaims it “Tipsy’s.”
I immediately start to protest, “That’s not enough—”
“One hour, Lady Lynx. If you’re not walking through the doors of this tavern in one hour, I’m coming in after you.”
“You can’t,” I bite out.
His silver eyes start to glow under his hood. “Try me.”
“For Jinai’s sake, fine!” I throw my hands in the air. “Ruin your own heist—see if I care.”
Eleni grabs my hand, tugging me back up the alley. “Alright, glad that’s settled then. See you soon,” she calls back over her shoulder.
As soon as we’re out of sight, I snatch my hand back. “What was that about?”
She shudders. “I did not want a repeat of earlier. How can you needle him like that? You’re the one who said to remember he’s the beast prince!”
I swipe a hand across my face, brushing away road dust and sweat. “I don’t know. Because he’s wrong! He’ll blow this whole operation if he comes striding into The Painted Mask with a stick up his ass.”
Eleni snort-laughs but quickly sobers. “I can’t understand you. I really, truly thought he was going to kill you earlier. And you just stood there, shouting back at him!”
“It’s…” I search for the right words and give up. “It’s stupid. I wo n’t do it again.”
She gives me a too-knowing sidelong glance. “I wish that were true. Sadly, I don’t think you can help it.”
I’m saved from responding by our arrival at The Painted Mask. It’s a grand sight, a large building with plenty of windows coated in a mural of vibrant colors. The ubiquitous flowering plants grace the wraparound porch, lending it a cheerful air. Eleni and I share a confused look. This is the headquarters of the Veridian Guild?
It couldn’t be more different from The Spinning Top, which looks more like Tipsy’s Tavern we passed earlier. An unremarkable establishment, easily overlooked.
The Painted Mask is bold, loud, begging to be noticed. It’s a statement. There’s no need for hiding here—they’re operating in plain sight.
With a jolt, I realize I never told Taran the name of the inn. He already knew.
I swallow hard. Will the prince’s gold be enough? Would any amount? I wish I had the pearls in my pocket instead.
“Ready?” Eleni asks, her voice high and reedy.
“Not even a little.”
And with that, we walk into The Painted Mask.