Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

Derek tossed back the rest of his ale and motioned for another. Kora's gaze didn't move from him. Everywhere he turned, someone was watching, waiting to see what he would do. Or say. He thought of Miena and what she wanted. Then there was Villette . Aksel . Even Kora .

He tossed Ada a coin when she brought another ale. His gaze collided with Kora's over the stein's rim. " What ?" he asked when he lowered the mug.

" I know trust is an issue between us, but would you classify us as friendly?"

Derek leaned back in his chair, wondering where this was headed. " I would."

" I'm not trying to pry, but something is bothering you. I just,"—she paused and shrugged—" I just want you to know I'm around if you wish to talk about it."

There were many things he'd like to be doing to Kora at that moment, and none of them was talking. " I'll keep that in mind."

" Is that all that happened at the temple?" she asked in a low voice.

Derek nodded. " Every word."

" Will we be at the service?"

" I don't think we have a choice."

She shot him a dry look. " There is always a choice."

" They'll be looking for us. Or he will be, at least. Unless you intend to carry out your plan between now and then."

" I don't think I can."

He had worried about that. " You need help planning?"

" I'm talking about the service. I won't go. I don't believe in whatever it is they're promoting, and I refuse to have it shoved down my throat."

Derek had to give her credit. If they made a stand, they would be targeted by every priest and soldier. The priests didn't have a way to pinpoint magic, or they would've come after both him and Kora . They were guessing. They might have gotten a few right, but now they were just randomly choosing. Somehow , that made it worse.

" What about tonight?" Kora asked.

Her question pulled him out of his thoughts. The priests worried her. Aksel might be at the party, or another like him. If they were, they would make a point of talking to both him and Kora . How far would she allow herself to be pushed before she broke? How far would he? He had promised to keep her safe, and there was a real possibility he would have to do just that. Unless they didn't go that evening.

" You aren't keen on it, and I've had enough of others for the day," he said.

She gave him a curious look. " Really ? You don't need to go?"

" I saw a nice eatery today. We could give it a try for dinner. Or stay in. Your choice."

" Let's try the place you found."

They finished their drinks and rose. Derek turned Kora to the left and headed toward the bistro. She was walking unusually slow, taking time to inspect each building they passed, peering into narrow alleys when she spotted them.

" Looking for something?" he finally asked.

She jerked her head forward. " Just taking it all in."

" You want to know if there is another way to move between levels besides the gates."

" If you must know, aye."

He looked down at the cuff on his wrist. He could make things easy and take her into the palace himself. Handing over the cuff wasn't an option because he needed to be able to check on the eggs.

They reached their destination. The doors and windows of the eatery were open, and many of the tables spilled onto the sidewalk. Music drifted from inside. As the host led them to a table, Derek saw the small stage where some performers sat playing their instruments.

As if they had said all the words they had for the evening, he and Kora sat in silence, watching one set of performers after another move on and off the stage. Their meal came, and they ate while listening to music and singing. A marionette show came on last. Derek watched how Kora's smile spread over her face as she clapped and cheered along with many others. Even Derek had to admit he had a good time.

They left, softly humming one of the tunes as they strolled to the inn. He looked up at the stars and the double moons. It had been a good night. A fun one. He didn't want it to end.

" Is there another way to the levels?"

Derek had wondered if she would ask him. " It seems prudent the city would have such a means."

" Does that mean they do?"

He glanced at her. " Aye ."

" Will you show me?"

" Are you asking for my help?" He wanted her to. He wanted it more than he should because the more entangled he became with her, the harder it was for him to see the line he shouldn't cross.

But maybe he already had.

Their hands brushed as they walked. He wanted to reach for her and twine his fingers with hers. It made that line he was so worried about difficult to see. He never used to hesitate. He always knew what to do.

She pressed her lips together. " In this, I am asking for your help. You know why I can't involve you."

If she knew he was a dragon, she'd realize how beneficial he would be. But that came with the flip side of that coin.

" But I also want a good chance at reaching her," Kora said.

Derek gave in to the need and took her hand. He liked how she accepted his hold and even laced her fingers through his. He turned them around to retrace their steps until they came to one of the alleys. He pulled her into it behind him and stopped when he reached a wall of vines.

" Am I to climb over?" she asked.

He grabbed the plants and tugged them to the side so she could see the metal gate.

Her eyes lit up. " This is perfect."

" Not exactly. It's locked."

" I can get through."

He smoothed a lock of her hair that had become tangled in the vines. He had the sudden urge to pull her close and kiss her.

Kora turned her head to him. " Thank you."

The moons lit her eyes as if they shone a spotlight on her. He let the vines fall back into place, and they made their way to the street.

Only once they reached their room did Kora ask, " Would you have shown me if I hadn't asked?"

" Aye ." And that was the truth.

" Why are you helping me?" She stared at him, her brow furrowed. " You don't seem the type to go out of your way to help anyone."

He shrugged and sank onto the settee. " I'm still wondering that myself."

" Do you have a way out of the city?"

" Worried about me?" he teased.

She nodded, her expression solemn. " Does that surprise you?"

" A bit. No one worries about me."

" Perhaps that's the problem. Everyone should have someone concerned about them."

" What about you?"

She walked to him and lifted her skirts before straddling his lap. Her hands rested on his chest and slid up his shoulders and around his neck to tangle in his hair. " Do you want to talk or kiss?"

Her mouth was on his in the next heartbeat.

Derek stood next to the bed and looked down at Kora . She slept on her stomach, her wealth of dark hair fanned out around her, one leg outside the covers, and her lips parted. The last thing he wanted to do was leave her, but he had duties.

And he wanted answers.

He held his hand above Kora and waved it over her so she remained asleep until he returned. Then he walked to the door and used magic to ensure no one could enter. He took one last look at her before touching his cuff.

It took no time to check on the eggs and learn they were still undisturbed. Then he returned to Stonemore . Except he went to the palace. It had been so long since he'd stood within its walls that he had almost forgotten what they looked like. Enormous , red-sandstone columns adorned with swirling motifs at the top held up the walls. The edges of the points on the arched windows and entryways were decorated, but none more so than the railings along the stairways, and the balusters. The vaulted ceilings even had decorations as if not wanting to be outdone.

Warm , golden light from sconces cast the sandstone in amber. The large hallways were empty. Derek wasn't sure what he was looking for. He had questions for Villette , but Miena might give him answers. If he dared to give her what she wished. The more he thought about his memories being tampered with, the more troubled he became.

Derek strolled from corridor to corridor past many doors. He had never walked these particular halls, at least that he was aware of. Yet he somehow knew exactly where to go. His feet led him up several floors to a deserted room. He stopped at the doorway and gazed at the wreckage within. It looked as if an explosion had ripped off the balcony and part of the room. There were scorch marks along the stone as well as rubble everywhere. Dark spots of dried blood were still visible. He didn't understand why no one had cleaned up or repaired the space.

Villette had never mentioned anyone attacking her. Though he was beginning to suspect she didn't tell him a lot.

" You came."

Derek's head swung to the right, and a door he hadn't noticed before. He didn't know how, but he knew Miena was behind it.

" Open the door, Derek . Open the door and see me."

He stared hard at the handle but couldn't make himself move toward it.

" I'm not the only one in here. There's another. A human with magic. Listen closely. You'll hear two heartbeats."

Derek opened his hearing and concentrated. He picked up one heartbeat and then another. There were indeed two individuals behind the door. " Who put you in there?"

" Villette ."

" Why ?"

Miena made an indistinct sound. " I dared to stand against her."

" Why do I need to be the one to release you?"

" If I had a way to ask the hellhound, I would."

Derek stilled.

" My companion can sense magic. She picked up on your companion. Now , can you please open the door and free me? Or did you come just to prove you could?"

He didn't budge.

" Has my sister rubbed off on you? Have you become like her? Are you here to give us hope, only to dash it away?"

" I want answers."

" Maybe I can give them," said a male.

Derek jerked at the new voice in his head. Movement caught his attention. He turned to find a man leaning against the wall near where the floor crumbled into nothing, his gaze locked on Derek .

" This isna a room anyone ventures to since…" The man waved at the debris.

He had a strange accent Derek couldn't place. " What happened?"

" A battle. Many died." The man's dark blue gaze moved briefly to the door. " You can hear her."

It wasn't a question. There was something about the man. Derek thought he should know him, but he couldn't place why. " How did you know I was up here?"

" I heard you." The man tapped his temple. " You speak verra loudly."

" Who are you?"

" The better question is, who are you ?"

Derek looked at the door. " Do you know who's behind it?"

" Open it, and we'll both find out."

Derek couldn't. He swung his head back to the man. " Are you a Star Person ?"

He laughed. " Hardly ."

" Then how can you project your voice into my head?"

" You mean like this?"

" Aye ."

The man's eyes narrowed as he looked at him. " You really doona know?"

" I wouldn't ask if I did."

" I'm Merrill ."

" Derek ."

" Well , Derek , what are you going to do? Open the door and get your answers, or walk away?"

Derek studied the newcomer. The way Merrill held himself said he feared nothing. His response to Derek's mention of the Star People said he knew about them. Did that mean he knew Villette ? " You still haven't told me how you can talk to me like this. I thought only the Star People could do that."

" What Star People do you know?"

" Answer me, and I'll answer you."

Merrill considered him for a long moment. He crossed his arms over his chest. " It is the way my kind speaks."

" What is your kind?"

" I answered you. Now , you answer my question. Which Star People do you know?"

" Villette . And recently, Miena ." Derek inclined his head toward the door.

Merrill's lips flattened, and his arms dropped to his sides, tension radiating from him. " How do you know Villette ?"

" Your turn. Who is your kind?"

" Are you blind? Have you not seen them around? Heard them?"

Derek had no idea what he was talking about. He realized then that Miena hadn't said another word since Merrill joined the conversation.

" How do you know Villette ?" Merrill demanded.

" I work with her. Have I seen what around? Who is your kind?" It was suddenly very important that Derek find out.

Merrill closed the distance between them, stopping only a few feet away. " I doona like games."

" I'm not playing games."

Merrill's head suddenly swung toward the door he had walked through. He held up a finger as he listened. He stood rigid for several long moments before lowering his hand and looking at Derek . " If there is one thing I've learned, it's that nothing is what it seems in this place. You'd do well no' to trust anyone."

" Tell me what you are," Derek demanded.

Merrill simply looked at him with confusion and wariness. " Can you really no' know? It shouldna be possible."

" Just tell me. Please ," he added.

Instead of answering, Merrill glared at the door.

Derek moved into his line of sight. " I'm waiting."

" And you'll be waiting longer." Merrill turned to leave.

Derek curled his hands into fists. " You have magic, and you're at the palace. Do the priests know of you?"

Merrill peeled back his lips in a sneer. " Doona ever threaten me. As for those fuckers, they'd do well to stay far from me. They're only alive because the bells have no' tolled, announcing the murder of another child."

" They killed one the other night."

Merrill's eyes burned with hatred. His voice dropped low, danger dripping from every syllable. " Did they, now?"

Then he was gone.

" I'm still here, waiting to give you answers," Miena said. " Open the door."