Page 32 of Inked in Emeralds (Inkbound #3)

T he tension from the courtyard stayed with me, buzzing beneath my skin as me, Billy, and Duncan with Bonnie on his bloodied shoulder headed back to the palace a short while later.

I’d never seen two people fight like that before.

Never mind two people who were supposed to be on the same side.

The memory kept replaying in my mind. From the unchecked fury I’d seen in Duncan, to the way Hook had cut through his broadsword like it was paper made it impossible to think of anything else.

What would’ve happened if we hadn’t been watching?

A chill rolled through me as I asked myself the question for the dozenth time. Would he and Duncan even be able to work together after what had happened? I could only pray Billy was right about them needing to get it out of their system.

But I couldn’t stop the little voice inside my head that wondered if “ fighting it out ” wound up actually being the solution, then what did that say for her other little nugget of wisdom when it came to me and Hook?

I shook my head furiously to shake the thought loose and glanced over at Duncan.

“How are the ribs?”

Duncan blinked and squinted my way, as if he was just waking up from a fitful sleep. “Fucker is as good of a Whisper as he is a swordsman. I’ll be fine.”

His whole demeanor had changed, like someone had blown out the candle inside him, so I was far from convinced that he was truly fine, but now wasn’t the time to push. As much as my heart hurt for him, his pride needed a chance to recover. I only hoped that was the worst of his injuries.

“It’s lunch time anyway. Let’s grab something to eat. Food always helps, right?”

“Always,” Billy agreed as she yanked off her headscarf to run a hand through her tawny curls.

Duncan didn’t argue, so we ducked into the palace kitchens, grabbing some fresh fruit and sandwiches from the cook, and then headed back to our quarters.

As we neared the doors, Fenwick came into view. He broke into soft applause as we approached, a smile curving his lips.

“Bravo, Sir Duncan. I know it didn’t end how you would’ve liked, but it was a truly thrilling performance by both you and your pirate comrade. Impressive.”

Duncan’s jaw tightened, but he dipped his head. “Glad you enjoyed the show.”

“I hope I didn’t offend,” Fenwick said, raising a hand. He glanced at our spoils from the kitchen and frowned. “Enjoy your lunch but please don’t eat too much, my friends. You’ll want to save room for tonight’s formal supper.”

I held back a groan. While I did want to see The Wizard again for reasons I didn’t feel like exploring, a fancy party was about the last thing any of us needed right now.

“I wouldn’t normally, but I must insist on a couple hours of your time to satisfy The Wizard’s request,” he continued, practically reading my mind.

“He has put out the edict that all should treat you as revered guests here in Oz, but he’s sticking his neck out to do so.

When The Wicked Witch finds out he’s openly defying her, and she will find out, there will be hell to pay.

He’s rightfully concerned and wants to make sure you all understand the delicate balance of life here in The City.

I think he could use some reassurances.”

“What kind of reassurances?”

“That you believe you can defeat Almira.” He swiped a nonexistent piece of dust from his lapel.

“That, if you don’t pass the trials, you have a plan in place to help protect The Emerald City going forward.

And that, no matter what happens, you don’t intend to…

upset the applecart as one would say, in regards to his true identity.

The Wizard does want to help you, Harmony. ”

The unspoken “but” was clear; An alliance was a two-way street.

After my time in Alabaster, I was no stranger to politics, and we were in no position to be turning away a powerful ally. Especially if I didn’t pass the trials. We could be stuck here for…ever.

The thought nearly sent me into a spiral. I’d never see Molly or Fetch again. I’d never get to read the prophecy my mother left for me. Billy would never avenge her brothers.

I twisted the pearl ring on my finger and pushed those dark thoughts away, turning my attention back to Fenwick.

“What time do we need to be there?”

Fenwick took a glance at his pocket watch. “I’ll make sure to have a selection of appropriate attire in your closets. Be downstairs at six o’clock sharp. See you then.” He wriggled his fingers in a wave and a long look in Billy’s direction, then he strode off without another word.

Duncan sighed as we stepped into the common room. “Damn. I was hoping I’d have time to go into town and commission a new sword.”

I craned my neck to peer into Hook’s room, but there was no sign of him. “Let’s wash up and all three of us can go.”

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Billy, on the other hand, was shaking her head. “I’m going to stay here with Bonnie and take a nap. I didn’t get much sleep and it’s probably good if one of us stays behind anyway, in case tall, dark, and cranky comes back looking for us.”

The three of us scarfed down some lunch and then bathed.

The engineers of Emerald City had figured a way to carry water all through the palace and distribute it through these amazing nozzles that shot streams of it hard enough to take the paint off a wall.

As I stood beneath the steamy spray, it felt like no less than a miracle on my aching muscles.

I didn’t enjoy it for nearly long enough. I could have stayed for hours, but we had shit to handle.

Duncan and I were headed down the palace steps less than half an hour later, marching toward the bustling streets.

We had some cleaning up to do in our proverbial house, and it needed to happen fast. The trials loomed ahead, barely a day out, and I had a feeling we’d need each other more than ever if we were going to pass.

Especially since I had yet to regain even a lick of my magic.

I shot a look at my companion, who was silent as we walked, his steps heavy and his eyes distant as the tension radiated off him.

“How are you feeling for real?”

He shrugged. “Honestly? Not great. I don’t remember the last time I lost like that. Or…lost ever, really.”

“Lost like what ?” I asked, incredulous. “You were still amazing. I’ve seen you defeat a bear once, remember. No one else in the world—this or any other—could’ve done what you did.”

He let out a dry laugh. “You don’t get it, Harm. Straight up brawls like that are my specialty, and he beat me anyway.”

“By a hair.” But Duncan knew as well as I did that Hook had tricks up his sleeve that he hadn’t even used. He could’ve used lightning or those shadow chains or who knew what else, but he’d wanted to beat Duncan fair and square.

“I’m not looking forward to having to see him again.

Not after losing control like that. It’s humiliating, and beneath me.

But he pissed me off, pressuring Billy last night when she was in a bad way, and then today…

it’s like he knows exactly how to yank my chain.

Something inside me snapped. This was exactly what Billy asked me about at her little card game.

When I was under the most pressure, I cracked.

I failed her. I failed you,” he paused to rake a hand through his hair with a growl, “And I met every low expectation that bastard had of me.”

“You’re wrong. I think he’s got more respect for you than you think. He wouldn’t have used his mending blessing on you if he didn’t. Have you noticed he’s quick to use some, and less to use others?”

Duncan shrugged. “I guess so.”

“That one in particular was gifted to him by a friend. He uses it sparingly. If he thought as little of you as you’re saying, he’d have walked away and let you suffer.”

Duncan seemed to chew on that for a moment and then let out a sigh. “Either way, that fight showed me I still have work to do.”

“Don’t we all? But we’re getting better and better. We’re helping each other grow, even though it might not feel that way.” I shuddered as I gave his forearm a gentle squeeze. “If you two fight half that hard against Almira, we might actually have a shot at winning.”

He groaned, a hint of a smile creeping onto his lips. “I don’t even want to think about using my Whisper right now. Pretty sure I tore half the muscles in my body. I’m lucky the bastard managed the worst of it.”

“I really need to get my magic back, then find a way to step up and match you guys. I don’t think I can take it if I have to play the helpless damsel for another fight.”

“You’ll get there,” he said, laying a hand on my shoulder. “And once you do, Almira will really be in for it.”

I was half listening as I caught sight of something that stopped me in my tracks.

“No way!” I stared at a quaint, wooden shop on the left side of the street.

It was a bit shoddier than its neighbors, but that wasn’t what made it stand out to me.

Instead, my eyes were on the wooden sign hanging out front, which read, “Smithson and Smitty’s Smithery.

” A plume of smoke curled from the stone chimney, and I could smell the faint tang of hot metal in the air.

“What?”

“I know those names…”

Duncan cocked an eyebrow. “From Alabaster?”

“The Smudge, and in a little town near Neverland. I wonder if they’re the same guys.”

Only one way to find out.

The door creaked softly as I pushed it open.

In most ways, it was a normal blacksmithing shop, complete with iron in various lengths lined up against the walls, massive anvils, and sturdy bellows.

But, like everything in Emerald City, it had a little something extra.

Ornate clockwork gears ticked gently next to the iron length, with long copper pipes that connected them to a variety of instruments and gauges.