Page 12 of Aubade Rising
The night air is calm as I leave Cedar’s home. The wine sits heavy in my stomach, causing the streets to sway. Wine is a rarity, I’ve never had money for anything frivolous. But the headache tomorrow will be worth tonight’s celebration.
“I got my brother back!” I announce to the litter dancing along the street with me.
A thread of connection stitches itself between me and this city I’ve thought of with dread for years.
It’s not too bad after all, I muse, scuffing my shoes on the dirt clasped between cracks in the cobbles.
Grime coats them and I stagger around trying to scrape it off.
Recklessly, I take the most direct route to the palace quay, liquid courage sustaining me as I brave the shadows. Pentargon wasn’t a dangerous city when governed by the ruthless old king but I feel a sense of unease now and quicken my footsteps.
The moonlight vanishes briefly behind a large bird’s wing and I freeze, ears straining. It’s too early for the taverns to empty but long past the closing time of the merchants around me. I haven’t seen a soul so far and other than my thrumming heartbeat the city is too quiet.
Only a few hundred steps to the harbour gates and the city quay a short distance beyond. I resist the calming lull of alcohol and quicken my pace, eyes fixed ahead, spine rigid and alert.
A single silhouette waits at the quay. The moon flickers from behind a cloud and I recognise Captain Devath’s sharp features above the high collar of his woollen overcoat.
I’m not inebriated enough to withstand a lecture on why I shouldn’t be out in the city alone and turn from the quay, preferring to risk the dangers of the city. My foot catches on a cobble and I go down hard, ego bruised.
His warm hand pulls me back up and I pray my wobbly legs don’t give away my drinking.
“Thank you.” I grit out, cheeks flooding with warmth. My cloak tangles between my legs and I fumble to right myself.
“You’re drunk,” he accuses darkly, stepping closer and my neck extends to meet his gaze.
Caught off guard at his perceptiveness, I retort, “Am not.”
“And childishly irresponsible.” His caramel eyes are stormy and unimpressed and he crosses his arms as I struggle.
“And definitely none of your business.” I try to shove him out of the way, giving myself room to breathe and I stumble.
He’s close enough to catch me, his strong arms wrapping around my waist and placing me gently back on my feet.
His hands linger for long enough that I can feel their warmth through my coat before he breaks away, shaking his head.
“It is my business when you’re roaming around drunk and unchaperoned.” He thrusts his hands deep into his pockets.
“Again, it’s none of your damn business. I can take care of myself!”
“I am the King’s Verax – I’m making it my business.” He stares down at me, eyes gleaming with menace. The last dregs of alcohol drain from my body.
“I was visiting my brother. Not that you deserve an explanation,” I hiss, finally sorting out my cloak and pulling myself together.
“I wasn’t asking for one. Nothing you say would justify you being out here alone.” His voice comes from the back of his throat as he closes the gap between us, ensuring we can’t be overheard.
“You don’t trust me?” I seethe, my magic spoiling for a fight at the injustice. I take a deep breath, calming the roiling mess inside. This is why I shouldn’t drink: my magic becomes unpredictable.
“I don’t trust anyone, not even other Mordros. It’s my job to find and eradicate the rebels. I would question anyone alone at night.” His voice steadies, “It’s not personal. From now on, you’ll have an escort into the city.”
“I will not!”
His eyebrow rises, “Good luck getting the ferryman to take you without one. You could always swim.” He gestures to the dark river separating us from the palace. The current is violent and the water frigid – I wouldn’t stand a chance.
“The King vouched for me; does that mean nothing?” My throat closes, I can’t bear to be trapped in the palace. The dread I felt at returning to the city and the harbour pales compared to being trapped mere floors above the dungeons where I was tortured.
“The King may trust you but I have a rebellion to deal with and no guarantee that you’re not about to join it!” He sweeps a hand through his hair, pushing it out of his eyes and I notice the bruises under them. He’s not sleeping either.
“I am not a rebel,” I spit out. “I will not sacrifice everything I’ve worked for, what little security I have in this cruel kingdom for some idealistic mission backed by a few explosives.
” I’ve seen first-hand now how reluctant the Mordros are to change.
Aubades will never repeal the Difan and get other archaic restrictions repealed without gaining power of their own.
My research is the answer, not a rebellion.
“Then you shouldn’t have a problem with being escorted.” His crossed arms tell me he considers the matter closed.
“I have a problem with being treated like an irresponsible child!” I’m not going to let this go easily.
“Have you forgotten that your home was a target in the attack? It’s for your safety too!” he shouts, then checks over his shoulder to make sure we’re still alone. His polished facade cracks and I get a glimpse of the weight he’s carrying, keeping the Kingdom safe.
“A coincidence. Hitting the residential district was bound to cause the most chaos. My apartment was collateral damage.” My words sound weaker than I’d like. But I refuse to believe any different.
“You’re too clever to be that naive. Why take the risk? You have everything you could possibly want in the palace.”
“You don’t know anything about what I want or what risks I’m taking.”
“And yet you charmed the King into offering you one of the most coveted positions in the Kingdom after one meeting?” Something flashes in his eyes as he scans me from head to toe.
“It’s not coveted by me. I don’t even want to be here.” I throw my hands up in exasperation.
“Then. Why. Stay?” he grits out.
I avoid his gaze, unwilling to admit what we both know – that I have nowhere else to go.
The painful silence extends for the ferry ride back to the palace, neither of us willing to break the stand-off.