Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

C roak hadn’t spoken one word to Terena since they’d left Agraboda. Didn’t stop her from prattling on about ‘her find’. He burned to tell her it was his find, and now she was conveniently forgetting that fact while going on and on about Galaneas this and Faybhen that.

“….that’s why I need you to pretend, all right?” Terena was saying.

He didn’t reply. Just huffed a sigh of relief as he sited the city gates in the distance.

They’d reached Avonon, the seat of power in Aurora.

“Okay?” she asked again, her sable ponytail swinging over her shoulder when she turned to look at him. “Come on, it’s important. Just go along with everything I say.”

Croak shrugged, but said nothing. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as she looked at him for several seconds before turning away. Good , he thought. Let her stew.

The guards at the gate moved forward as Croak and Terena pulled up. Croak rested an arm on the saddle horn, watching his sister pull down her hood. Despite being the Royal Tracker and all that entailed, she preferred simple traveler’s clothes of leather leggings and a plain tunic under a leather jerkin. The shoulder guard she wore was found in an armory a few months ago in Tursk. Her black leggings and jacket were dust covered and stained with blood from the Magi; he imagined he looked much the same.

Terena spoke with the guards and one of them nodded before looking up to wave at someone in the guardhouse above.

Terena dug her boot heels into Nyx’s soft belly and the horse snorted, trotting forward. Croak clicked his tongue and his mount, Cerberus, followed.

This time of morning, the streets of Avonon bustled with activity, the shops open and the market off to the far right already teeming with people ready to haggle.

Croak followed Terena as she moved off the main thoroughfare and down a back street on the left. It was much quieter the further away they went from the shopping district. The duke’s castle loomed large in the background.

When they reached the gates to the road leading up to the castle, the guard waved them through without a word. Croak touched fingers to his imaginary hat at the man, earning a vulgar gesture in return. Croak put his hand up to his chest as if mortally wounded.

They dismounted in front of the grand double doors, a stable boy racing forward to take Nyx’s reins. He hollered behind him at another boy he called ‘Arthur’, whose little legs pumped furiously. He stopped next to Croak with labored breaths. Croak handed him the reins, and the boy took hold with a shaking hand.

Croak bent down and grabbed the boy’s other hand, pressing a coin into his palm. “You’re doing fantastic, Arthur,” he said and ruffled the boy’s mousy brown hair. “Keep up the good work.”

The boy beamed up at Croak and stood taller as he walked off, with Cerberus, a gentle giant, following behind.

Croak crossed his arms at his chest, leisurely following Terena up the steps.

“Mistress Luca, always a pleasure.”

The silky voice belonged to the biggest snake Croak had ever met. Danilos of the Offeni, Duke Aurora’s steward and a general pain in the ass, clutched his hands in front of him as he simpered. “I trust your journey was…fruitful?”

Terena gave him a curt nod. “Is His Grace available?”

“He heard of your arrival, of course, and made room in his schedule to see you,” the steward said, his bald head dipping low.

Croak snorted.

Terena ignored him and placed a hand atop the cloth covered box she held under her right arm. “Wonderful. I think he’ll be pleased with our visit.”

“Indeed,” Danilos murmured, his greedy eyes narrowed on the box she cradled. He gestured with a grand sweep of his too-thin arm and Terena preceded him into a cavernous hall where courtiers mingled, occasionally sending them dismissive glances that had Croak blowing kisses at them around his middle finger.

They didn’t have any time to look at the castle, which was a shame—this was the first time they’d been inside. They weaved their way through the idle nobles, which wasn’t difficult as three of the duke’s personal guard showed up to escort them into a receiving room.

As the large gilded doors opened, Croak glimpsed the duke, the young royal strutting forward with a stupid grin on his face to greet them.

Or rather, to greet Terena. Croak was pretty sure the duke hadn’t noticed his presence.

He wore a long velvet jacket in yellow with a dark blue sash across his chest and a silk shirt beneath, the long lace cuffs peeking through the sleeves of the jacket. The Aurorans favored short silk or satin breeches ending at the knee with silk stockings and ornate shoes with more jewels on them than the emperor’s crown. Even after being conquered, they refused the fashion of the Heylisian Empire.

He stopped in front of Terena and held out his arms.

“The gorgeous tracker returns triumphant!” Duke Aurora remarked as he rubbed his hands together. He dropped kisses on either side of Terena’s face, then lifted a dark blond eyebrow at her and added, “She does, doesn’t she?”

“She does indeed,” Terena said with a smirk. She made to hand the box to Danilos, who had snuck up to the duke’s side, but Aurora swatted at the man’s hands and took the box himself.

He let the cloth covering the box fall onto the floor without a care; the steward dropped swiftly to pick it up as Aurora ran a hand reverently over the gold, his dark eyes round as saucers.

No one spoke as the duke turned and strode toward a large mahogany table near the back windows, papers and maps strewn atop ignored when he placed the box down gently.

He made to lift the lid but paused and said, “Are you certain?—”

Before he could finish, Terena stepped to his side and said in a low voice, “Not only am I certain, but when you see the shroud, you’ll know.”

Croak rolled his eyes at the duke’s barely contained excitement. His hands trembled as he reached for the lid, lifting it back slowly. His mouth fell open, and he put a hand to cover it, shooting a look at Terena before he reached inside and lifted the cloth as delicately as if he handled the emperor’s balls.

The room was silent while everyone beheld the cloth—ordinary, if you asked him—but Croak knew these idiots would never say so. Duke Aurora let it unfold as he held it aloft, his dark blue eyes sparkling when he saw what Terena had meant. The shroud had a barely visible outline—a face or something. Croak couldn’t tell, nor did he care to.

With a snap of his fingers, Duke Aurora summoned one of his lackeys to clear a space on the table. The duke laid the shroud across the cleared space and ran his long fingers over it, closing his eyes.

“I can feel its power,” he muttered, his blond head tipped back.

Croak sniggered.

Terena jabbed an elbow into his side. He snapped his head to her, surprised she was even there. When had she moved?

“I apologize I don’t have a formal letter of authenticity drawn up yet, Your Grace,” Terena said, idling closer to the royal as she clasped her hands behind her back. “We came straight here upon finding the shroud in the ruins at Agraboda. But I’m happy to sign it if your steward will do the honor of creating the document. ”

Danilos practically went boneless as he bowed and scrapped his willingness to do so. Duke Aurora nodded dumbly, still transfixed by the shroud.

“Wonderful,” Danilos simpered. “I shall get it completed momentarily. In the meantime, might I suggest refreshments for Mistress Luca in the solarium while she waits? They are being laid out as we speak.”

Again, the dismissive nod from Duke Aurora and Terena thanked the steward, turning back to Croak and gesturing with her head. He fell into step beside her and tossed over his shoulder, “The Mistress’s brother also appreciates your hospitality, Your Grace.” He shot a look at the steward. “Looking forward to those refreshments, Danny.”

Terena followed a servant down the large hallway to the solarium. She’d never been to Castle Surraine before, having only been in Aurora a handful of times and only seeing the duke and his steward when they visited the duke’s sister or the emperor in Metilai.

Marveling at the decadent beauty, Terena openly gawked. She glanced back, a smile lifting a corner of her mouth at her brother’s gaping face, his eyes huge while his head swiveled.

Aurora had only been under the empire’s rule for the last ten years, so many of the trappings of the once-independent kingdom were everywhere, from the extravagant decor to how the servants treated the duke. Henri du Surraine, the second Duke Aurora, inherited the title after his father died from injuries sustained during the Battle of Coloin, a failed rebellion to take back his throne and kingdom from Emperor Solon.

“Not to sound… completely gauche,” Croak said to the servant’s back, “but what does it cost to clean this place?”

Terena grinned.

Ahead of them, a group of men rounded the corner, and Terena’s grin faded. She narrowed her eyes at them as she slowed. One of the duke’s guard was escorting a tall, broad-shouldered man—a warrior— so out of place amongst the foppish courtiers around them. Terena told herself that’s why she was staring at him.

It wasn’t at all to do with the graceful way he moved or the way others turned their heads to look at him as he strode past.

The style of his short-cropped brown hair, tipped with gold, was unusual for the empire and caught the light from the tall windows he passed, accentuating the strands of gold and copper. He also had the beginnings of a beard, as if he had been traveling and could not shave.

The only thing the men of Heylisia hated more than short hair was facial hair.

His head was bent toward the guard who was speaking, two more large men at their backs. He wore silver plates at his shoulders with matching bracers and greaves. The rest of his outfit comprised dark brown leather, his weapons belt bare. A cape of deep red, pinned at his shoulders by silver clasps that looked like miniature shields, rustled as he walked.

As they neared, Terena continued to study the warrior, but couldn’t place him, and she knew almost everyone worth knowing.

Lifting her eyes to meet his, their gazes locked. Time stilled. Eyes of a light, clear blue pierced her soul.

Her heart stuttered. Something squeezed in her chest—almost to the point of pain.

A memory—only a flash of something—swept by her so fast she thought she’d imagined it. Still, she couldn’t shake it. It almost felt like… she knew him.

But that wasn’t right.

She’d never seen him before.

The man broke off first, dropping his gaze to the ground and then quickly past them, as if he hadn’t been staring at her, too.

Her skin was too tight. Terena’s lips twisted, and she clutched at her belly when something shifted within.

Terena squeaked when Croak shoved her from behind.

“You’re holding up the line.”

She punched his shoulder, then turned and walked faster, her face in flames .

“Ouch!” he whined. Then, “Do you know him?”

“Who?”

“Who? Are you hard of seeing?” Croak snorted. “Wait. You really didn’t…? Of course not. What was I thinking?“ He shook his head and jogged to catch up to her. “Next time I see Lerek, I’ll congratulate him. Anyone that can ignore that kind of man has to be in love. Ah, I need a moment.”

She punched him again. He hunched up and she punched him once more.

“Had your fun?” she asked as Croak rubbed at his arm. “Now, what is it? I saw three men being escorted by the duke’s man. Same as you. What of it?”

Croak’s face scrunched. “Well, if your world wasn’t pink with unicorns and rivers of starlight, you’d have recognized the colors, at least.”

She frowned.

“The uniform of the men? The one’s in back, I mean. The one in front—that’s got to be Daris Antonius,” Croak said, still massaging his shoulder where she’d hit him.

Terena froze.

The servant ahead of them cleared her throat, hands folded in front as she eyed them pointedly. Terena lifted a finger at the woman before turning back to look up at her brother.

Then she looked past him to the empty hallway. “Those were Liodari? You’re sure?”

Croak arched a dark eyebrow. “I know those were Liodari. And—I’ve never seen him before, but the description was enough that as soon as I saw him ,” he jabbed a finger down the way the men had gone, “that was definitely Commander Daris Antonius.”

Terena stood there a moment longer, thinking.

Was that the feeling that overcame her? Was she recalling a flash of seeing the man before but couldn’t place him?

She liked that thought a lot better than the one that had invaded when they’d locked eyes. Her face heated as she shook her head, forcing the thought from her mind .

No.

She must’ve seen him before, although she was sure she’d have remembered.

She took a couple steps toward Croak, laying her hands on his shoulders, absently. “They are Liodari.” A moment passed before she whispered, “What are they doing here?”

Croak shrugged and grabbed Terena’s shoulders, much as she’d done to him, and shook her once before letting go. “No clue.”

She frowned at him but turned back to the waiting servant, motioning the woman to proceed.

“We can’t leave without finding out,” she said in a low voice, head bent close to Croak.

He slid his eyes to her and pursed his lips. “Distraction?”

“Definitely.”

“Chaos?”

Terena snorted. “A little less, please. I need to be able to hear them unseen, not have them find me on their way to help with whatever you caused.”

They entered the solarium at last. It was a beautiful room, she had to admit. The air was too humid for her tastes but she saw how relaxing it would be to honored guests of the duke.

The woman pointed out the refreshments being laid out by servants at the main tables to the right of a large fountain that graced the center of the room. Next, she motioned toward the reading nook nestled in the back and mentioned it as a favorite of the duke’s. Finally, the woman gestured to an area on the far left, which was where Duke Aurora’s mother took her tea when she visited.

All were available for them to enjoy as they awaited the conclusion of their business.

As soon as she left, Terena motioned with her head, leading Croak to the reading nook. She stopped and looked over his shoulder at the servants setting down cakes and sandwiches or pouring drinks.

Satisfied they wouldn’t be heard, she hissed, “We’ll get some food, and as soon as I pick up my drink, I’ll go toward the front of the fountain. You see me there, that’s when you…,” she waved her hands at Cr oak, “do whatever you’re gonna do. Get me at least ten minutes. Hopefully less. Good?”

Croak winked. He turned on his heel, chin high as he flourished his elbow at her. When she linked their arms, Croak said loudly, “My dear and beauteous sister, of course we’ll get you some food! I know you’re hungry, dear. I think even the duke can hear your belly growl!”

Terena barked a laugh and let him lead her to the tables laden with all kinds of small treats.

A servant floated close and proffered a plate, which Croak accepted graciously. He took his time and made a show of picking out only the most delectable pieces for his wondrously lovely sister.

Terena smiled and wandered toward the fountain. Another servant held a tray of wine, bending low in offer as she passed. She took a glass and thanked him, glancing at her brother, who was still reviewing the selections.

Terena cleared her throat, loudly, as she neared the front of the fountain.

Before she could turn to give him a look, a deafening crash sounded behind her and she jumped. Terena whirled, then moved around the fountain’s stream to see her brother collapsed on the floor, the table broken beneath him, food pooled around him in a mess of sugar, meats, and plates.

She had a second to gape before she whirled toward the entrance. The servants lunged for her hapless brother.

Hunching her shoulders and keeping her gaze lowered, Terena wound around the way they had come, slowing at the corners. She wasn’t sure where they’d gone after they rounded the last corner, but she guessed it might be to an audience with His Grace, so she strode back toward the receiving room.

Moving along the wall, she slowed when she neared the guards in front of the double doors to the room. They stood open as she passed. Glancing inside, she saw no one. Terena moved past the room.

If they aren’t there , she thought, they’d be in his private rooms. A study. Terena frowned. She didn’t know this castle. How would she?—

“….and tell His Majesty we eagerly await his visit once th e?—”

Terena stopped short as she heard Danilos’s voice.

She shot a glance around, heart thudding as she sought a place to hide.

The voices drifted closer, and she knew she had seconds to run or be caught where the steward had obviously not left her.

Terena doubled back and dove for the first door she saw, lifting the latch and ducking inside. She pushed the door so only a crack remained, leaning her head against the cool stone as she willed her breath to calm.

The voices stopped close enough to the door she had a moment of panic. But they didn’t come in, only stopped as a rough, accented voice interrupted the steward’s sniveling.

“He will not be coming.”

Terena turned her head slightly, honing in on the voice. She hadn’t heard him speak before, but somehow she knew— knew— that voice belonged to the commander.

Daris Antonius.

Moving slowly to peek through the crack, Terena smothered a curse when she could see nothing other than the steward’s robes and clutched hands.

Someone moved in front of her line of sight and blocked out the light. His voice rumbled again and Terena ducked back, away from the door.

“…again this way. Not until after the war.”

She had no idea what that meant. There was no war.

What else had changed in the three months she’d been gone? Why was the Commander of the Liodari, the elite legion of Lakonia’s army, currently visiting a duke of the Heylisian Empire?

The last time she’d been in Metilai, talks between the empire and the southern nation of Lakonia had broken down and Emperor Solon, furious with the foreign king, had mobilized his legions for war.

Was Duke Aurora some sort of intermediary? Had Solon tasked him with reviving peace talks while she’d been gone?

Talks must have broken down again if the Commander of the Liodari was now speaking of war .

Unless…

Terena frowned as she tried to pick up more of their conversation. She doubted Aurora would be so dumb as to have sided with Lakonia against the empire.

Duke Aurora was young and ambitious, true, but he had also seen firsthand what happened to those who opposed the emperor. And his sister was currently residing at the White Palace in Metilai as one of the Tasters. Terena was certain that alone would forgo any ambitions he might have to restore his birthright and kingdom.

“A shame, but of course we understand,” Danilos was saying, and Terena peeked out to see them all move past.

“With Lady Annalise at the prince’s side, may we request of you…” his voice faded and Terena waited several seconds before pulling the door open another inch, then another, until she was satisfied the hallway was clear. She slipped from the room and latched the door softly behind her.

It wouldn’t do to come upon the steward and his guests, so she waited. Satisfied she’d waited a good amount of time, she sauntered back toward the hall leading to the solarium, only to pull up short.

Commander Antonius stood alone with his men, the steward nowhere in sight.

Terena blinked at the commander, then at the other two men, all of whom now looked at her, eyes narrowed. She made to move past them, nodding in greeting as she walked.

“Ah! Mistress Luca! Mistress!”

Terena winced when she saw Danilos running toward her. Well, as much as he could run in those robes. He waved his hands frantically. “Master Croak?—”

“I was looking for the… er…,” Terena started to say, then shot a look at the commander. Cursed herself when her cheeks heated.

“Oh!” the steward exclaimed, his face blotchy as understanding dawned. He looked torn between running toward the mess her brother had created and helping her with her obviously delicate needs.

“You are Terena Luca. ”

It wasn’t a question, but Terena turned to the commander after he’d spoken and gave him a reserved smile. She cocked her head quizzically. “Have we met?”

“Please, Mistress, do follow me and I’ll show you—” Danilos said, reaching out to lay a hand on her arm.

The commander stepped closer, making Danilos take a step back.

Terena didn’t move.

He towered over her, his light blue eyes narrowed with no trace of what had passed between them earlier. Maybe it had been one-sided.

A muscle in his jaw feathered. “I have not had the pleasure, no. But your reputation precedes you.”

Terena huffed a breath, a corner of her mouth lifting as she pretended an irreverence she was far from feeling. Her throat became hot. “Well. Don’t believe everything you hear. Unless it was good! Then, of course, it’s all true.”

She even tossed in what she hoped was a saucy wink.

Dear gods.

He didn’t respond, his eyes still locked on her. What was he thinking?

“Mistress,” Danilos prodded, his voice high.

The commander blinked, his full lips pressed in a tight line. He shot a glance at the steward and she noticed for the first time three thin scars along his left cheek disappearing beyond his ear.

He straightened, relaxing a bit. “Emperor Solon’s Royal Tracker. I heard you’re remarkably gifted at finding lost treasures of the gods. That’s quite a talent.”

“It’s a living,” she said with a forced laugh.

“Indeed,” Danilos replied through gritted teeth. He cleared his throat. “Indeed, Mistress Luca was the one who found the Shroud of Faybhen.”

Daris Antonius snapped his eyes back to Danilos, who held his gaze a moment before the steward turned to Terena.

“And once you’re done with… your… well,” Danilos coughed. “The document is ready for your signature. ”

Before she could stop herself, Terena turned back to the commander and blurted out, “You’re far from home, aren’t you?”

She watched those cerulean eyes gutter, his handsome face a blank, polite mask as he regarded her.

Terena’s chest quaked, but she plowed on. She gestured at him and his men. “What business does the Liodari have with Duke Aurora?”

Danilos looked as if he’d expire any moment. The steward wiped at his forehead, all but squeaked and panted at her to please allow him to show her?—

“I’m afraid that’s not something I can share,” the commander replied in a silky voice.

He lifted his eyes to the steward and then motioned to someone behind Terena. She didn’t dare turn away to look.

“Of course,” she whispered.

“If you’re staying for dinner?—”

Terena blinked. Her heart missed a beat. “Unfortunately, I’m not staying.” She jerked her thumb behind her, loosing a fake laugh. “Other clients; meetings and such.”

“There you are!”

Terena stifled a curse and closed her eyes at her brother’s bellow.

She heard his exaggerated stomping as he closed the distance between them, his clothes a medley of stains, and took a step away from the commander. She chanced a look back at him to find his gaze still on her. Assessing. And something else.

Danilos wrung his hands and hissed at her. Terena smiled at the steward and turned back to the commander, intent on getting away.

She muttered some pleasantries and pivoted to face Croak when the commander grasped her elbow.

The touch shocked her and she gaped at him. He leaned in, eyes thoughtful. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Terena Luca.”

She nodded, giving him a brief smile as she tugged her arm free before walking swiftly away toward her brother, Danilos at her heels.

“Well?”

Terena tucked her thumbs into the straps of her shoulder guard, not bothering to turn to Croak when he spoke.

“Well, what?”

Croak scoffed. He lengthened his stride to keep up with her. She may be shorter, but her steps were much more purposeful than Croak’s ever were.

When they exited the castle, Terena turned toward the stables. The small boy, Arthur, was running a brush over the only part of Cerberus he could reach. Croak’s lips widened in a slow smile.

He shot Terena a look. “Did you learn anything from the fabulous Commander Antonius?”

Terena slowed as she neared Nyx. She tossed a couple of coins at the older boy that brought her mare forth. She grabbed the reins and whispered something to her horse.

Croak planted his hands on his hips. “You ignoring me, now? Is that what you’re doing? Fine.”

“What?”

Croak crossed his arms. “What.”

She blinked at him.

He sighed. “Commander Daris Antonius? That tall drink of water you were going to spy on while I made a fool of myself? Not to mention my soiled clothes. The only clean ones left after Agraboda. Or was my performance for naught?”

Terena inhaled, her head rising in understanding. “Oh. Not much. Just… strange.”

“Explain.”

She put her face close to Nyx and nuzzled her nose. Croak rolled his eyes and waited.

“Ren.”

She looked at him over her shoulder. “He knew me,” she said, more to herself than to him. “He said it was because of my reputation. I don’t know if I believe that. And get this: he didn’t introduce himself. At all.”

“Well,” he scoffed and lifted a hand at her, “he is Daris Antonius. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone on the continent that wouldn’t know him. Except you, apparently.”

She turned to Croak fully, her brow furrowed. “When I asked him what they were doing meeting with the duke, he shut me down. Quickly.”

“Interesting.”

Terena shrugged and moved to mount Nyx, but then turned, leaning forward.

“Hey,” she said, her voice low. Croak sauntered closer.

“Have you heard anyone mention anything about a war?”

Croak’s brow shot up. “A war? No.”

Terena frowned. “I overheard something about a war. Antonius was saying something about not being able to come back to Heylisia until after the war.”

Croak made an obvious show of looking around at the peaceful castle yard. “I mean, Solon is always provoking Lakonia, but even he wouldn’t go against Altos and that guy. Did he say anything about who was at war?”

“No. I only heard bits and pieces. Obviously, none of it made sense.”

“And my performance?”

“Your finest yet,” she assured him with a quick grin.

Croak tried not to look as pleased as he felt. They made their way through the yard and out of the gate into the city.

An hour later, they were outside the city’s eastern gate and Croak pulled up alongside Nyx.

“What were you pretending about, by the way? What was I supposed to go along with?”

Terena flashed him a wolfish smile. “You didn’t notice the shroud?”

Croak shrugged. “What about it?”

“It wasn’t the Shroud of Faybhen.”