15. CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 15

DANIELLA

It took two days, but Shadow came through. Her network had been able to deliver a message to the Sub Rosa, and in a few minutes, I was going to meet Kryn. It worried me that Cardian’s spies could find my friends too, but Shadow assured me it hadn’t been easy and Cardian had his hands full with trying to wrangle everyone to go to war against the minor courts.

I left the Vine Tower through a service door with Larina. She was standing on my collarbone and hiding behind the ruffles of my veil. She’d been whispering instructions in my ear, guiding me out of the palace. Once more, I was glad to have her with me.

“Walk straight ahead for two squares, then turn right.”

“Squares?” I figured she meant blocks, so I peered ahead and then asked, “take a right at…” I squinted to read a hand-painted sign, “Floxen’s Apothecary?”

“Precisely.”

We made a few more turns, and the further we went, the faster my heart beat.

“Are we almost there?” I asked.

“You sound like a child. Are we there yet?” she asked in a high-pitched voice.

I smiled. It sounded like that was the universal question children asked no matter the realm.

Suddenly, Larina’s voice acquired an urgent tone. “Wait! Stop!”

My feet immediately came to a halt. I was paralyzed, adrenaline punching me right under the breastbone.

“Turn and face the window,” Larina urged. “Pretend to look at the pretty baubles.”

I did as she instructed, feeling robotic in my movements. “What’s the matter?” I whispered under my breath.

“We’re being followed.”

“Shit.”

“It’s Varamede Elis.”

“Double shit.” All the baubles on display blurred in my vision. “What do we do?”

“I… I…” Larina sounded more nervous than I felt.

Words began pouring out of my mouth of their own accord. “Can you fly ahead without being noticed?”

“Yes, I think so. Why?”

“We need to warn Kryn. Go and tell him I can’t meet him in the tavern. Tell him to…” I glanced around at the different stores that lined the path, trying to look as casual as possible. Then I spotted just the place a few stores across the street. “Tell him to go into that dress shop instead. I’ll meet him when I shake Varamede off.”

As someone walked behind me, Larina jumped off my shoulder and took a ride on a stack of boxes the person was carrying. Taking a deep breath, I walked into the shop and spent a few minutes looking at expertly designed bracelets, earrings, and necklaces.

I had no money, however, so my charade of shopping wasn’t quite going to work, was it? As I left the shop, I surreptitiously glanced about, trying to spot Varamede, but I saw no sign of him. Clearly, he was a better spy than me.

Meandering slowly, I only allowed myself to look at the dress shop out of the corner of my eye. When I perceived a male hooded figure slipping through its door, I knew it had to be Kryn. That or a very burly lady who needed a gown for an upcoming ball. My vote was on the former.

I took my time making my way there, appearing like someone who had all the time in the world. I saw no sign of Varamede, and I had no idea if I’d shaken him off. Probably not, but I had to talk to Kryn.

Seeing no other choice, I went into the shop, my eyes roving all around. I spotted the hooded figure in the back of the room. I started walking in his direction. His back was turned to me, and for an instant, I feared I’d made a mistake, then the figure turned slightly, and I caught a lock of bright red hair just Kryn’s shade.

Stopping near a shelf with an assortment of embroidered bodices, I spoke in a low whisper. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Not the most likely place for a meeting,” he said in one of his usual grumpy tones.

I noticed he was standing in front of a basket full of what looked like intimate garments. Larina was standing next to it, quiet as a mouse.

“I think the crimson-colored one with the lace would look good on you.” I pointed at a pair of underpants.

“Ha-ha,” was his only dry response.

“Is everyone all right?”

He nodded once. “We tried to come back for you, but we couldn’t transfer into the palace—not even with Kalyll’s token.”

“Thanks for trying. Naesala said Cardian had her put a blocking spell on the entire Vine Tower. She decided it was okay to do it since it served my plan.”

“Are you sure you can do this, Dani? Are you sure you’re safe? Kalyll will kill us if something happens to you.”

“I’m all right. I promise.”

“We were surprised to hear from a puck that you wanted to see us. We thought it might be a trap set by Cardian, but then he showed us the brooch. Here.” He offered it back.

I snatched it and quickly slipped it under the folds of my dress. It had been hard parting with it, but I’d suspected the Sub Rosa might need proof that the message truly came from me. I was glad to have the brooch back, though.

“So what is this all about?” Kryn asked.

We hadn’t dared send more than a brief message through Shadow’s network. The sprite had said she trusted her people, but one never knew who might be captured and tortured for information.

I reached into one of the many pockets of my dress and surreptitiously placed a small drawstring bag on the shelf with the bodices.

“This is a potion Naesala made,” I said. “Drink it. It will change your appearance for a day or so.”

“Why in the name of Erilena would I need to change my appearance?”

“Because it will make you look like Kalyll.”

Slowly, Kryn lifted a hand and reached for the tiny bag. I could only see his profile, but I could tell his thoughts were racing to the right conclusion.

“The plan was for you to show up at the palace door and cause a ruckus, be seen so that Cardian thinks Kalyll escaped, so that—”

“Cardian goes back to Nerethien to see if Kalyll is still where he left him.”

“Exactly!”

“Why did you say was? What changed?”

“Varamede is following me.”

Kryn’s emerald eyes cut toward the window. Where he stood, no one could see him from the outside—not unless they came very close and cupped their face against the window.

“But now you want him to see me,” he said slowly.

I nodded. “Cardian will be more likely to believe that someone saw Kalyll if that someone is his trusted thunderlord.”

“Good idea.”

“But I also need him not to suspect me, so this is what I propose. I’ll go back outside and take Varamede to that tavern where I was supposed to meet you. If I can find him, that is. Larina saw him, but I haven’t caught a glimpse of him. Anyway, if I get him to the tavern, I’ll sit somewhere near a window. Then all you need to do is walk by. If he doesn’t notice you himself, I’ll point you out to Varamede.”

He frowned. “That’s a weak plan.”

“What? Why?”

“He might still suspect you.”

“Well, I guess I’ll just have to risk it.”

“No. This is what we’ll do. I’ll go into the tavern and rough you up.”

“Rough me up? What are you talking about? You shouldn’t go anywhere near Varamede. He’ll kill you.”

“It’s the only way you’ll earn their full trust. I’ll act jilted, hurt that you’re with Cardian now.”

“No.” I refused. “That risk is far greater for you. I promise you I’ll be fine. All we need to do is instill a little doubt in Cardian’s mind, then he’ll go to Nerethien, and I’ll find a way for him to take me along.”

“If he doesn’t trust you fully, he will leave you behind, and all of this will be for naught.”

“Please, Kryn. He’ll kill you, and then Arabis will kill me for allowing it.”

His expression tightened. “Arabis? Has she said anything to you about…?”

“Don’t be an idiot. Of course, she hasn’t, but it’s not like I’m blind.”

“You think… she cares about me?”

“God, Kryn. I guess you’re the one who’s blind.”

“But she—”

“We don’t have time for this. Now, just do as I said. And if this doesn’t work, we go to the original plan, and you show up at the palace gates and make a ruckus.” I whirled and left him behind. Larina caught up with me before I exited and hid behind my veil again.

As I went past the peeved-looking attendant, I crinkled my eyes and said, “I will be back for one of those beautiful bodices.”

She remained just as serious. Clearly, she didn’t believe me.

A bell sounded above the door as I exited. Once on the cobbled path, I twirled a lock of hair around my finger, putting on a bored air. After a moment pretending to consider my options, I started walking as Larina whispered directions toward the tavern.

“Do you see him?” I asked.

“Not yet. Oh, wait. I see him now. He just went under the awning of the bakery we just passed.”

“Perfect. Now, make yourself scarce.”

“What?”

“I mean… hide.”

As soon as she was out of sight, I dashed across the street and headed straight for the bakery. I only slowed my pace when I noticed Varamede’s shoulder. He was attempting to make himself smaller, pressing his back to the closed door. As luck would have it someone pushed the door open, causing the thunderlord to stagger forward.

The smell of freshly baked bread and a comfortable warmth rushed out the door along with a stout woman with skin the color of a Granny Smith apple. She gave Varamede a disapproving look. He took a step to the side, looking as if he was trying hard not to unleash his power on her for daring to glare at him.

I put on a pleasant expression, making sure it carried to my eyes. “Varamede, what a surprise to see you here?”

He huffed and said nothing.

“I feel like we got off on the wrong foot. Don’t you think so?” It was an understatement. We had tried to kill each other, and he’d almost succeeded. Not only that, I was certain he was pissed at himself for failing.

He only answered with another huff.

“Why don’t we try again over a tankard of ale?” I gestured toward the tavern.

His sneer told me he would rather get impaled. The tips of my fingers tingled.

Get rid of him, Dark Dani whispered.

But I couldn’t do that. The realm, the universe, would be better off without him, but it would have to wait. I needed him to raise the alarm to Cardian, so he could lead us to Kalyll.

Varamede’s head turned to one side. He glanced down the street, clearly finding an exit more appealing than sharing anything with the likes of me.

I decided to try a different approach. “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

His gaze snapped back to mine.

“Isn’t that what humans say?” I asked, hoping to dispel the suspicion that seemed to have risen to the surface.

“It is,” he said, some mistrust leaving his expression. “It is a great saying, isn’t it?”

“I’m glad you like it as much as I do.”

“Let’s have that tankard then.” He gestured toward the tavern, a small, dark building with a tiled roof and a sign that swung creakily.

I went in first and quickly snatched a small table by the window. The place was filled with smoke and the smell of ale. The walls were decorated with faded tapestries and old weapons. It seemed a popular enough spot for travelers and locals alike, a place to hear the latest news and gossip.

A boy of about fifteen—that was my guess, with the Fae it was hard to know exact ages—came to take our order. He was small and agile, with the nimble limbs of a deer and the curious eyes of a fawn. As he left us, we sat uncomfortably, looking at everything but each other. The boy was back quickly, and I occupied myself with my drink as I riffled through my mind trying to find the best topic of conversation. Finally, I settled on the only thing we had in common.

“How long have you known… King Cardian?” I asked.

“Forever. I don’t remember not knowing him.” Varamede pushed a very straight, very silky strand of dark brown hair away from his forehead. It plopped right back almost immediately.

I glanced out the window, pretending to take an interest in the people walking by. “I see. No wonder you are such good friends.”

“We are more than friends. We are brothers.”

“Literally?” I asked, unable to help the question from jumping out of my mouth since he’d sounded so adamant about it.

“We may not be related by blood, but we certainly are by choice.”

“Oh.”

“So you should know that no matter how much you squirm and how much you slither, you won’t be able to get between us. He’ll get tired of you. It’s nothing new.”

If he thought that was a threat, he needed to try harder. I was already tired of Cardian and Varamede. They were nothing but scum, unhappy people who took joy in spreading their misery. I just needed Cardian to remain interested until he led me to Kalyll.

Outside, a familiar figure appeared. Across the street, the hood pulled over his head, Kryn stood, his shoulders squared with the tavern, his head moving right and left as if he were looking for danger.

My heart clenched at the sight of him, and I had to remind myself that it wasn’t Kalyll, that it was just a trick, a spell from a very talented sorceress. Those weren’t his midnight blue eyes and matching hair. That wasn’t his supple mouth, which I longed to kiss again. That wasn’t his usual intensity and poise. It was only his half-brother, someone who clearly knew Kalyll’s mannerisms. Only an illusion.

I willed Varamede to glance out the window, but he was intent on the contents of his tankard. The asshole. Was he good for anything other than blasting people? Well, someone needed to get this ball rolling.

“Well, I think that—” I cut my sentence short, widened my eyes, and jumped to my feet, causing the table to rattle and the ale to spill. “It’s him!” I exclaimed. “He’s here.”

In an instant, Varamede was on his feet, lightning crackling between his fingers. He followed my gaze and it landed squarely on Kryn.