17. Chapter 17

Chapter 17

T he next morning, I rummaged through my aunt's home and the few belongings I'd brought with me for a gown that was appropriate for a ball. And there wasn't anything.

Caelus said it'd be held the night after the treasure hunt event. But the clothes that belonged to Aunt Celeste and Lora didn't fit me well enough, and I wasn't sure if there'd be time to get a suitable gown on such short notice.

I groaned and sent a burst of air toward the door of Lora's room, flinging it open.

"Glad to see you using your power," Caelus said in the hallway.

I jumped, not expecting him. He hadn't been in the house when I'd awoken.

"Where were you?" I blurted out.

He stepped toward me. "Miss me?"

I rolled my eyes. "That's not what I said."

He smiled in that stupid, arrogant way of his. "If we're going into Ebonhammer's iron castle, someone should get an idea of his security. I highly doubt that's a skill of yours, so I took it upon myself."

"No one thought it was strange that a man in dark clothes was skulking around?"

Caelus strode forward silently, until he stopped in front of me. "If they saw me, they might."

I fought against taking a step away from him. If we were going to be a convincing couple, I couldn't step back every time he got close, or it'd ruin the ruse. I crossed my arms and tilted my head back to meet his gaze. "How are you so sure they didn't?" I didn't know why I cared. But scouring the house for something to wear to that damned ball had me antsy.

Those stormy eyes filled with amusement. "Are you worried about me?"

Despite my previous conviction to avoid it, I took a step back, looking anywhere but at him. Had I been worried?

"Stepping back isn't what a lover would do," he reminded me.

I sighed. "We're in private," I said, and made to push past him.

He took my hand in his, and a tingling sensation darted through my arm. "Come with me," he said.

I raised a brow, praying to the gods that my face wasn't flushed.

He didn't elaborate, but I let him guide me down the stairs and out the front door.

Caelus continued to drag me through the city to one of Tiruhm's taverns known for their musicians. The outside had been crafted with a vibrant metal with a deep purple hue, as though they inlaid the alloy with crushed jewels. An elegant sign read Forgesong .

Inside, flowers decorated the tables and lanterns floated above, casting a warm, yellowed light. Even in the middle of the day, it was lively. People danced and drank in the large space in front of a wooden stage, where a dwarven musical troupe performed.

Caelus showed me to one of the small round tables, not explaining the purpose behind why we were here. We took a seat.

The song changed. Partnered pairs began the practiced movements of a waltz, but based on the looks of disappointment, they would've preferred to dance with wild abandon.

Dancing had been how I'd met Esteban, though. My mother and father adored their little troupe and paid them well. As a child, I'd frequently danced on their stage. Esteban recognized me from that time when I'd arrived in Dusmir.

"Are you familiar with any formal dances?" Caelus asked from where he sat across from me.

"Vaguely," I said. Those trained movements might have been more familiar if my family hadn't burned away.

"We'll need to practice, then."

I glanced at him. He watched the people, his finger tapping in time with the music. The warm light gleamed in his dark hair, revealing those bronze strands that made it warmer and not quite black. I wanted to reach out and touch it, wondering if it felt as soft as it looked. He turned his head to face me.

I diverted my attention back to the dancers, hoping he hadn't noticed I'd been staring.

"The owner is a family friend of the Ebonhammers. They'll head preparations for the ball. There are guests here likely to be attending as well," he said. "Seeing us now will help and make us less noticeable later. If nothing else, they might see us as a blossoming new relationship, allowing us to blend in once we're there."

I bit the inside of my cheek. A man twirled a woman away and gracefully switched partners. He had a point. New faces would stand out; familiar ones would blend in. Aunt Celeste had continued my lessons so that I wouldn't embarrass her at the parties she hosted. But it'd been years since I'd last danced.

"Are you certain we'll even have to?" I asked.

He lifted a lock of my black hair, drawing my attention back to him. There was a tilt to his lips, and he twirled my hair around his finger. "Afraid?"

"Not at all." I hoped that somewhere deep down, I'd retained some of the training. Tripping, stumbling, and stepping on his feet would be embarrassing.

"A drink or two may help if you're nervous."

I laughed. I wanted one, truthfully. "Should I drink on the day of the ball as well, then?"

"While it may help with our ruse, I'm doubtful it's wise."

I studied the dancers, memorizing their movements to the best of my ability. "You're a crown's guard. Do you often dance at formal occasions? Wouldn't it be a distraction from your duties?"

"If I'm in attendance with the king, it's expected."

The song ended, and before I could ask what that meant, Caelus stood, taking my hand and pulling me toward the throng of dancers. He placed one of my hands in his and the other on his shoulder. His arm wrapped around my waist, and a hand rested on the small of my back, leaving a hairsbreadth between us. The starting position reminded me of my parents dancing the Emberglow, a romantic dance between partners.

I looked up at him and hoped he didn't notice the sweat building on my palm. I can do this.

The song started, rhythmic and light, and I did my best to follow his lead. My eyes drifted down to our feet. I stumbled through the movements that held some vague familiarity but tripped over myself and bumped into a nearby table. I spun around to apologize only to be met with the dwarf who'd denied us entry into Lord Ebonhammer's castle. His drink spilled in his lap.

The dwarf scowled, muttering under his breath.

"Apologies," Caelus said, drawing me toward him and back into the crowd.

I stepped on Caelus's foot, and my eyes shot up at his groan.

"Eyes on me," he whispered.

I nodded, acutely aware of every part of our bodies that touched.

He led me through a turn, my feet almost tangling together. His arm came up above me. I steadied myself, regaining my footing. He stepped away and pulled me toward him in a short spin. The warmth of his hand met my back, and he guided me through another spin before pulling me into his hard body.

Our chests pressed together, the heat of him seeping through. My arms had a mind of their own and wrapped around his neck. His eyes widened and resembled an overcast sky at dusk in the dim lighting. There was a heady thrill in seeing him surprised for once.

His hands slid down my waist, stopping just above my hips. My gaze drifted to the distance between our faces. It would take the slightest movement to bridge the gap between us. He'd gotten this close the first night we met in Esteban's tavern—the same night he'd helped me. My eyes lifted to his, but his focus was on my lips. Those thunderous depths churned with something unfamiliar, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me.

"It's wonderful to see you smiling," Keiran said.

I stiffened at the sound of his voice and took a step away from Caelus. With a deep breath, I turned to face Keiran. He stuck out among those dancing in his white-and-black finery. People shot looks at the three of us. Most lingered on Keiran, but he ignored them, offering his hand to me.

"May I?" he asked Caelus.

Caelus placed his hands above my hips once more, and my heart raced. "That's for Eira to decide." His breath coasted against the sensitive skin of my neck.

Keiran's eyes filled with confusion. Was this part of Caelus's act?

Regardless, it seemed rude to decline. I hoped I wouldn't ruin Caelus's plan. "Of course!" I said, and I prayed I didn't sound too enthusiastic.

"My sister has had her eye on you," Keiran said to Caelus, gesturing to a table where a woman sat toying with the rim of her glass. She winked in our direction before taking a sip of her drink.

"It would be uncouth to keep her waiting." Caelus placed my hand in Keiran's. "Take care of her," he said before he retreated.

Keiran began leading me through the next dance. I wasn't sure if the dance was simpler than the one with Caelus or if Keiran avoided complex movements to save his feet. The reprieve offered me a chance glance at Caelus dancing with Keiran's sister.

She was as striking as Keiran and Vinnie, in a violet dress that hugged her curves.

Her head tilted back, causing her hair to nearly reach her hips, and she laughed at something Caelus said. My stomach tightened.

"Your friend is quite the gentleman," Keiran said. "I believe Jenny finds herself taken with him."

Keiran wasn't wrong, but that caused the tightness in my stomach to squeeze harder.

"And you appear happier than before," Keiran said.

I tore my focus away from where Caelus and Keiran's sister danced. "Do I?"

"The Eira in Dusmir didn't smile or laugh quite as often."

Keiran twirled me, then pulled me close. He smelled of the ocean on a stormy night, the scent wrapping around me. I blinked up at him, not sure what to say.

His hand gently squeezed mine. "Leaving that dismal city of Dusmir has brightened your soul."

"I suppose it has."

Keiran's gaze drifted past me as if lost in thought. His eyes met mine, and I swore he looked like he was conflicted. In a blink, it was gone. "Was my father helpful yesterday?"

"He was. He also introduced me to Thalia."

"That sounds like something he'd do." The planes of his face softened, making him appear younger, the love for his father clear. "It's rare to see him nowadays. Rarer for him to be able to assist, even if indirectly. I'd like to think it brought him great joy."

I hoped it did too.

We continued through the dance, and I managed to avoid stepping on Keiran's feet. While some of the muscle memory was returning, I was certain he could tell I lacked experience. His face hardened, his gaze lingering behind me. A tap on my shoulder made us come to a halt.

"I'd love a dance with such a beautiful lady," Perrin's venom-laced voice said from behind me.

Keiran's eyes met mine, a question in his gaze.

I turned and faced Perrin. He wore a tailored burgundy waistcoat over a long-sleeved shirt. With his well-trimmed beard, he looked ever the gentleman, but there was a coldness to his amber eyes. Perrin knew who I was, and while that didn't matter as long as I found Teeg, I wanted it to stay between us.

"But of course," I said, placing my clammy hand in his.

He pulled me toward him, his other hand landing on the small of my back. The music picked up again, light and melodic. Perrin began leading, spinning me away from where Keiran stood. "Have you reconsidered what I asked of you?" he asked, breaking the silence.

I thought back to that night and glanced around for Caelus, but I didn't spot him among the dancers.

"Hoping the king's pet will save you? He won't risk it."

My eyes darted to his. "Have you considered he's here to simply enjoy himself?"

Perrin grinned. "He has been. But his actions are always purposeful. There is a greater reason for his presence, and you're not telling me."

"To help me," I said. That was the agreement, after all.

Perrin appeared to ponder that for a moment. He leaned in and whispered, "But that's not all he's here for, is it, Lady Quinn?"

I caught sight of Caelus where he now sat with Keiran and Jenny. His gaze was fixed on Perrin and me as we moved across the dance floor.

"Why does it matter to you?" I asked.

Perrin's movements were rough compared to Caelus and Keiran. He guided me through a spin and jerked me into his hard chest, his gloved fingers digging into my hand. "I'll offer you a trade, Lady Quinn. You've been asking about Lord Ebonhammer. Perhaps I can help you."

My eyes snapped to him once more. "What makes you think that?"

His grin grew colder and unnerving. "I have loyal ears everywhere."

Had someone heard when I'd asked Ina? Or maybe Thalia? I couldn't remember anyone else being around to overhear on either occasion. But he was correct twice now. That didn't mean any of the information he would give me would be truthful, though. "I won't tell you anything."

"Even if it concerns a certain child?" he asked.

My grip tightened around Perrin's hand, my muscles tensing. We would have come to a halt if he didn't continue leading me through the movements. "I have no reason to believe you."

He laughed. "But can you be certain of that, Lady Quinn?"

I couldn't be. And that was the problem. But he was asking me why Caelus was here instead of Caelus himself. There had to be a reason. "Why is it you need me to tell you about him?"

He glanced at where he sat. "Because he possesses a talent that you do not, which makes him exceedingly difficult to track or overhear," he said, ire coating his words.

"Then why not ask him yourself?"

His eyes narrowed, filling with annoyance. "You believe you hold the upper hand. But you've forgotten I can inform the entire city of your identity. It'd be the talk of the festival. I'm sure it'd be quite difficult to find the boy with everyone's eyes on you."

I didn't doubt him. And he'd do it all without telling me whatever it was he knew about Teeg. It wouldn't justify giving up Caelus's reasons for being in the city. But if Caelus didn't know where his sister was, then neither would Perrin. Right?

"Make your choice, or I will make it for you," he said, the music winding to a close.

I was running out of time. Teeg was the Golden Child. He had to be found before he ended up being used the way I had been. "He's looking for someone," I blurted out.

"You know who. Spit it out." His voice grew impatient.

"What will you do?" I asked again.

"It's none of your concern."

My heart raced. Caelus wouldn't let any harm come to his sister; I was certain of it. If we worked together, we could find her—protect her. But it didn't make my choice any easier. Perrin was the closest I'd come to answers about Lord Ebonhammer and Teeg. "His sister," I whispered, and prayed to whatever gods would listen that it wasn't a mistake.

Perrin grinned. "Travok Ebonhammer seeks immortality. The boy may be of use to him." He bowed, taking my hand in his, kissing the top of it. There was a pinch of pain along the skin, and I jerked it away. He grinned up at me. "I'll offer you a little bonus as well. The man who escorted your family from the city didn't do so with the sole intention of fucking your aunt. Travok should know more, however."

He straightened and strolled toward away, pulling a fur-lined coat from a rack and exiting the building.

I stood frozen where he left me on the dance floor. The start of a new song throbbed dully around me.