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CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

IN WHICH THE HEROES INVESTIGATE THE MATTER THOROUGHLY

Luthri and I found ourselves in a cozy room with a main level and loft, each sporting a sleeping area, exposed wood beams along the ceiling, and floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the sea.

One wall was covered in tapestries and bookshelves, while another featured a doorway into the bathing space, partially hidden by a decorative privacy screen.

Catching an eyeful of the freestanding bathtub and spouts had me dizzy with excitement.

How long had it been since I had proper accommodations with indoor plumbing?

“Considerate of them to provide a room with two beds,” Luthri grumbled in a tone that conveyed his true thoughts might lay opposite that sentiment.

I dragged my attention away from the bathtub. “What was that?”

“Nothing, love.” Having removed his boots and set our bag near the door, Lu wandered to the bookshelf to sift through the titles there. His hand hovered over a nondescript volume. “Does this count as taking something they’re giving us? Or no, since it was your idea to stay?”

“I couldn’t tell you,” I answered. “But we have some time to kill, so we might as well figure out how to make the most of it. I’m going to sweep the room.”

Starting from the bathroom, I combed through each nook and cranny of the space we’d been given for anything suspicious, out of place, or concerning—strange symbols, planted chemicals, odd smells, peepholes in the walls, hiding spaces where a turtle man might fit.

My search turned up nothing of consequence, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t there.

“Which bed do you want?” I called to Luthri from the loft.

“Doesn’t matter.”

Nodding, I returned to the task at hand.

No wonder Rugaveld made this manor his base of operations.

The view from here was marvelous, looking over the bay with its pale beaches and rich blue water.

It was both a foreign and familiar sight—things on this side of The Rift just felt more vivid somehow.

Perhaps that could be attributed to the presence of mana .

“Might as well take this time to update the twins,” Luthri commented as I joined him on the main level. “I’ll let them know what Rugaveld told us and where we’re staying.”

I’d started toward him before his choice of words registered. “You want to go alone?”

Lu paused by the door, boots in hand, with a curious expression on his face. “There’s no reason for us both to go. Unless you don’t trust me?”

Didn’t I trust Luthri? He hadn’t given me a reason not to.

Sure, he could be brash, presumptuous, and conceited.

He took life by the horns and didn’t always know when it was time to sit down and be serious.

On the other hand, his resourcefulness had come in handy more than once.

He thought on his feet, fought well, and looked out for the rest of us—people he’d known a matter of weeks.

That gave him several points in my book.

A burst of inspiration struck, and with a devious smile, I called mana for a change. Bones and skin expanded, limbs stretched, hair shortened. In an instant, I stood before him as a near-perfect copy of himself, identical but for the wings .

“Would you trust you?” I asked, nodding down at myself. I put a little swagger into the movement, cocking one hip and tossing my head in an exaggeration of his smug attitude.

“Of course I would.” Luthri leaned back against the door and grinned. “Look at that honest face. Though, apparently you didn’t get a good-enough feel during our rendezvous earlier, or you’d know my cock is much bigger than that. I’d be happy to give you another chance.”

My blood warmed, and I barked a laugh. “Oh, I got a good feel. And no, it’s not.”

Chuckling to himself, Luthri opened the door. “I won’t be gone long. Feel free to make yourself at home… Especially if that involves prancing around naked and/or touching yourself to thoughts of tall, dark, and handsome Peri men. In fact, I encourage it.”

With a wink, he was gone, the sound of the closing door smothering my indignant huff.

In his absence, I did what any self-respecting young woman in my shoes would and practiced my magic.

First, I spent several minutes in a meditative position on the floor.

The hard surface made it easier to visualize being grounded.

When my tailbone started to protest, I moved to the loft.

I fiddled with one of the windows until it opened and settled in front, letting the sea breeze wash over me and soothe my frazzled nerves.

I’d missed moments like these. Not that this adventure hadn’t been fulfilling, but…

sometimes you craved peace and quiet, even more so in times of uncertainty.

A part of me couldn’t wait to get back to our campsite outside Vhalder.

It had been too long since I last devoured Vee’s cooking after a hard day’s work, advertised our services in the town square, or broke up fights between the others when someone got a little riled up.

My thoughts drifted to Daethie and Yrra.

I hoped they settled into the swamplands all right.

Would the nykse give them trouble? Would another waterfolk come along and challenge Yrra for his new home?

Not that I doubted Yrra’s capabilities, but this was something I didn’t know much about. If it were me, I’d want backup.

Tsk—that wasn’t meditating. I refocused my energy on quieting those thoughts and grounding again, counting each breath as I drew mana slowly and deliberately.

The power curled in my chest and dwelled there, ripe for use yet unwilling to bend to my will.

I pushed down the budding frustration and kept counting breaths.

It was so close, as if all I had to do was shift aside a veil, and the making technique would be revealed to me.

But the moment I was waiting for didn’t come.

Opening my eyes to the view outside, I released my focus and control on my magic at the same time.

Some time had passed. An hour, perhaps, judging by the golden edge to the clouds.

Luthri ought to have been back by now, shouldn’t he?

Had the twins given him trouble? If they were gallivanting around the city, so help me, I’d kick their asses to kingdom come.

With unreleased mana humming through my veins, I couldn’t sit still.

Might as well take advantage of that bathtub while we were here.

I’d have to make it quick, but the idea of cleaning up was too tantalizing to ignore.

I retrieved a change of clothes—the only spare set I had—and brought it into the bathroom with me, sliding the privacy screen over the doorway.

Undressing in an unfamiliar place put me on edge.

I was quick about it, getting together what I needed and turning the handle on the old brass faucet to start the water running.

It wasn’t hot, but it would do. You couldn’t take clean water for granted here.

Knowing that Luthri might return at any moment, I made it quick, scrubbing sand and sweat from my skin with a sponge from one of the shelves.

When I finished, I used the bathwater to wash my clothes.

With luck, I’d have time to fit in a longer bath before we left.

A knock sounded from the other room as I pulled the clean shirt over my head. Luthri wouldn’t knock, which meant that this was Rugaveld or one of his cronies.

“One moment,” I called, fighting my pants in my haste to get to the door. Hair slicked back and shirt loose around my waist, I pulled it open enough to see outside. Savreen, Rugaveld’s daughter, stood on the other side with a tray of food in hand.

“Good afternoon,” she greeted, tilting her head to peer past me.

“I’m afraid I have some disappointing news.

Something has come up, and Narille won’t be able to meet with you this evening.

However, I took the liberty of preparing supper for you and your companion.

I find there’s a lot that one can overlook with a hot meal in their belly. ”

She held out the tray, a sweet smile on her face.

Not wanting to be rude, I accepted the offering. “Thank you. Looks delicious.” The contents, a large fried fish with an assortment of side dishes, made my stomach purr with appreciation. I had to force my attention back to the matter at hand.

“I don’t suppose Lady Narille happened to mention when she would be able to meet with us?” I inquired of the young host. “It’s only that we have a schedule to keep to.”

“I understand completely,” Savreen assured me, her big, dark eyes conveying genuine sympathy. “And I’ve made sure to pass along the urgency. I am sorry for the inconvenience.”

Suspicion aside, it wasn’t right to be upset with the messenger. “Not your fault. Thanks for letting me know. And for”—I nodded down at the dinner tray—“this.”

Savreen beamed, the apples of her gray cheeks flushing deep purple. “Of course. Enjoy!” She bobbed on her feet and disappeared down the hallway to tend to her next task.

Letting the door shut behind me, I retreated into the room.

The tray was deposited on the desk by the bed—the temptation would be too great if I kept it close.

My mouth watered imagining how satisfying the flaky, salty fish skin would be after so much dry, tasteless travel food.

I should toss it, but even as I eyed the open window, I couldn’t bring myself to.

I was rooting through the bag for food supplies when the door opening signaled Luthri’s return. Without looking back, I called out a greeting. “Welcome back. ”

“Did you miss me, darling?” he crooned as he pulled off his boots.

“I’ve been pining away,” I returned, fluttering my eyelashes for maximum effect. He grinned in reply, crossing the room. As he neared, my heart somersaulted against my ribs. Will he greet me with a casual kiss? Grab and toss me onto the bed for a thorough ravishing?