Page 35 of A Taste For Lies (The Apex Kingdom #1)

Chapter 35

ALORA

“ I ’m coming with you,” Taran demands for the fifth time since he appeared through my wall this morning immediately after Mei left. Convenient, although, considering his gift, I suppose the timing wasn’t by accident.

“You’re not,” I shoot back, not even bothering to look at him. I sift through my wardrobe, finally selecting the darkest cloak to drape over my navy belted dress. Despite the ladylike attire, I’m armed for anything: sturdy black boots, suede leggings, my thigh dagger, and another in my boot. I even cut a slit in the gown for easier access to the thigh dagger. Preparation is critical. “You’re not coming for two reasons, both of which I’ve already explained to you.”

I finally meet his frustrated gaze. “The first is my cover. I’m going into Ravenscrest, under the guise of a protected Elite, accompanied by my Apex guardian, to do a bit of shopping.” I arch an eyebrow. “Do you frequently escort Elite women who want nothing to do with you on shopping trips into the city?”

I don’t wait for an answer—and indeed, none is required. “The second is my and Eleni’s guild membership. I don’t know if I’ll be able to return to the Shanterran Guild after this. But I’ll make damn sure Eleni has that option. Which she won’t if the key master even suspects I’ve been working a commission job in his territory. And he’ll know that’s exactly what I’ve been doing if you accompany me.” For the final touch, I slide my shining golden hairpin into my dark locks.

Taran grinds his teeth, obviously wanting badly to continue arguing and having absolutely no grounds on which to do so.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go meet my carriage.”

“Carriage? You’re not riding into the city?”

I wince. “Mei can’t ride.” And as much as I would have preferred the fresh air, the carriage is the more appropriate means of transport for my cover.

My cover that feels simultaneously as fragile as a cobweb and more important than any I’ve ever had to maintain. I’m not just hiding the fact I’m a thief, which would be bad enough—I’m hiding that I’m an Apex. I don’t even want to imagine what the royal family would do to me if they found out. An Apex masquerading as an Elite? Speaking with the king, taking tea with the queen? That level of insult would demand retaliation. I shudder just thinking about it.

“What?” Taran asks.

“You can’t scent my creature, right?” I confirm again, needing reassurance.

“No,” he answers firmly. “Never. And besides, no one else has my gift. Even if I did sense it, I wouldn’t tell anyone.”

“I know." It should be enough to assuage my concerns, but I don’t think anything will until this job is done and I’m back in Shanterra. The hole in my chest throbs again. Coming to Veridia was supposed to be my homecoming, a place where I didn’t stand out as other. Where I could find the answers to my past. Instead, the answers I longed for have only set me farther apart.

Can I even go back to Shanterra with this massive secret hanging over me? Xinlei’s words from that final night in Heshan ring in my head: There is no reburying the truth once uncovered.

Taran is studying me with an inscrutable expression, and I fear my worries are playing out over my face. “Of course you’re right about me not attending,” he finally acknowledges. “Besides, this meeting is nothing any thief worth her salt couldn’t handle. Much less the Lady Lynx.”

My lips tip up into a half-smile. “I’ll let you know if I secure the key master’s help to enter the old throne room.”

“ When you secure it, tell Maeve, and she’ll get word to me. She’s already spread the word that I’ll be attending tomorrow’s hunt.” He frowns, and I know he’s thinking of Victoria.

“What’s the prize?” I ask.

His frown deepens. “A black boar that gored one of my father’s favorite horses.”

“The ladies are attending a boar hunt?”

“No, no, of course not. The queen is releasing a snow-white hare as well. Probably matches whatever her inane theme is for the event.”

I smirk. “I wouldn’t have thought you even knew the revels had themes.”

An answering smile tugs at his lips. “Maeve is attempting to tutor me in politics. Though she has proclaimed me hopeless, so I can’t say for how much longer she’ll deign to share her expertise.” He tilts his head. “I rather enjoyed the celestial theme, however. Pass my and the court’s admiration on to the tailor when you see her today, will you? Even the queen remarked on the gown.”

“I will. She’ll like that.”

“You looked magnificent in it. Like a goddess made of sunlight. I don’t know if I told you.”

My breath catches. “No. I believe you were too distracted by my wearing the key master’s coat.” He scowls, and my lips twitch. “I need to get going.”

“Of course.” But his silver gaze holds mine a moment longer. “I haven’t thanked you yet. For helping me find the amulet. For getting us closer than we’ve ever been to ending this.”

“Thank me after the heist,” I tell him. “With gold, preferably.” If I can’t go back to Shanterra, maybe I can convince Eleni to start a new life with our winnings. Somewhere far from Ravenscrest. The thought is so sharply painful, it takes my breath away.

It’s nonsensical, the pull I feel to this male. Is it because my creature is in hiding and he can sense others’ creatures? Does my lynx long to be discovered? That could explain the disaster of the attempted linking.

He cuts me a serious look. “Lady Lynx, if you pull this off, all the gold in the royal treasury won’t be enough to thank you.”

My lips curve. The nickname is growing on me. “But it’ll be a nice start.”