18. Chapter 18

Chapter 18

P errin's words thundered through my head, and I twisted the lotus necklace Marus had given me around my fingers. Would Perrin lie about Lord Ebonhammer's search for immortality? Dwarves had long lifespans, often reaching the age four hundred years old. But for what purpose did he need the Golden Child? Malik had said Teeg would be powerful, but what was he truly capable of?

Caelus stepped in front of me without a sound and guided me toward the back exit with a hand on the small of my back. We stopped before the door, and the air filled with citrus around us.

With a finger under my chin, he steered my eyes to his. "What did he say to you?"

I swallowed hard. "He knew about Teeg. And my aunt and cousin," I said.

Caelus's gaze narrowed. "Exact words," he demanded.

I clamped my eyes shut and repeated what Perrin told me, keeping the part about being Lady Quinn to myself.

"That man does not give information for nothing in return. What did he want?"

My chest tightened, and nausea welled up. As soon as the words had left my mouth, I'd regretted them. I didn't want to tell him what I'd offered and lose his trust. Especially after all he'd done to help me so far.

But I had to tell Caelus—he deserved that truth. It was the only way to keep his sister safe now.

I met his callous gaze. "He wanted to know why you're in the city," I started. "I told him you were helping me."

"What else?" he asked, voice clipped.

I pressed my lips together and took a shaky breath. "That you're looking for your sister."

His fist clenched at his side. "Does he know where she is?"

I shook my head. "He wouldn't tell me anything else."

Fury filled his expression, and I couldn't blame him. I'd betrayed the trust he'd placed in me and put his sister in danger, but I hoped that by telling him, Caelus could stop whatever Perrin planned to do.

"I want to help," I said.

Emotions warred in the dark depths of his eyes for a moment. He leaned in and whispered, "We will pretend nothing has happened for now. Keiran and Jenevieve are waiting." He took my hand in his, that tingle shooting up my arm at his touch. Despite knowing Caelus had every right to be angry with me, his touch—that feeling I couldn't quite explain—eased the anxiety building in my chest.

He led us toward where Keiran was seated at a table in the corner.

"How wonderful for you to join us!" Keiran said. He gestured to the chair next to him. "I was telling Caelus about a tournament being hosted by a family friend as a part of the festivities."

I gave Keiran my best smile and sat next to him.

"However, our eldest brother is competing, so I'm not sure one can call it much of a tournament," he continued, sighing.

Caelus sat next to Keiran's sister, propping an ankle on his knee.

She giggled and said, "Ranvald doesn't know his strength. Otherwise, he'd know better than to compete at all."

"Jenevieve has also offered to take care of our attire for Ebonhammer's ball," Caelus said, no sign of what I'd told him present except for the tense set of his shoulders. "She's apparently quite the renowned seamstress."

Jenevieve surveyed Caelus. "With an excellent eye," she said with a wink. "And I told you to call me Jenny."

My stomach tightened, a sour taste coating my tongue, and I forced a tight-lipped smile.

"I'm surprised that he's even hosting a ball," Jenevieve started. "The king and his Dawn Conclave don't care about engaging with citizens. They split the Quinn land between Whistlemane and Ebonhammer instead of appointing a replacement." She sighed, poking her glass with her finger. The entire thing frosted over. "It hasn't done the people any favors." Her gaze slid to me, her icy-blue eyes curious and examining. It was like she knew more than she let on. But there was no way she could know who I was.

But Perrin does.

I clenched the soft fabric of my gown under the table and looked out at the dancing patrons. My parents had loved Mythbel. But I hated knowing the people my parents had once presided over suffered because I'd stayed hidden.

"Eira?" Caelus said, his voice pulling me away from my thoughts.

"Yes?"

"Would you like to meet Ranvald?" Keiran asked.

"Actually, I wanted to see Thalia," I said. If anyone could offer me a place to hide away from Caelus for now, it'd be her. I pushed away from the table and stood.

Keiran offered a wave and said, "Until we meet again, my friend."

I returned his farewell and headed for the exit. Caelus followed me, and I twisted the lotus necklace around my finger once again.

I made it a few steps outside and attempted my best smile before turning to face Caelus. "You know, lovers aren't joined at the hip either," I said, referencing his earlier statement. "You should go with them." Caelus had been competitive when we'd played the festival games, so I hoped it would be an enticing offer. Or at least one that let him pursue his search for his sister.

He studied me, crossing his arms and tapping a finger on his bicep. "While someone who claims to be unbeaten has me curious, we need to talk."

"About your sister?" I asked, even though I had no right to know after what I'd done.

He nodded, but Keiran and Jenevieve stepped outside before he could say more.

"Bring him back in one piece," I said, giving Caelus a gentle shove toward them. I made my escape to the Temple of Evryn.

Past the shimmery path that led to the grassy clearing above Evryn's temple, I stopped to take in the grand statue of the dragon god Evryn. The statue of him at the temple of Ahrea had been of his human form, so I was in awe of the massive dragon before me and its bejeweled eyes.

But I could only stand and admire the god of abundance and virtue for so long while guilt ate at my insides.

I wanted to give Caelus space, but I wasn't certain that had been the right move. I wasn't certain telling Perrin about his sister for a scrap of information about Teeg was the right move either. That information could be false or even lead to nothing. But my own desperation won out.

I headed inside the temple to find Thalia. I knew nothing about Perrin, and that needed to change. Hopefully, her gift of knowledge would be helpful.

A few acolytes nodded in greeting or smiled at me. I returned their pleasantries and made my way to the library. Inside, I relished the scent of books and parchment. I'll have to bring Marus here.

I searched the massive rows of shelves for her cozy nook. It took longer than I hoped to stumble upon the mass of stacked books hiding Thalia, where she lay in an oversize chair. She didn't notice me until I cleared my throat.

"Oh!" She sat up, placing her book to the side. "I was certain that you planned to never come back. Not that you weren't friendly," she added. "But with your power block and uncertainties, it didn't plant any seeds of confidence."

I raised my brows. "I wasn't sure I'd have time, but—"

"You need help?" she finished with a smile.

I did my best to smile back and nod. Thalia's gift of knowledge might be even more valuable than the power of the Tempest, and I wondered how often people attempted to use or manipulate her.

"I'm sorry," I started.

Thalia giggled, revealing dimples. "What for? I enjoy helping when I can. Sit! Do you want some tea?" She gestured to the table on her left. "Oh, but it might be cold."

"Cold is fine," I said, sitting across from her.

She busied herself pouring tea for us. "What can I help you with?"

I opened my mouth to speak but hesitated, not sure what to say. "Do you know of someone named Perrin?"

She paused, confusion flashing across her face for a moment. "It's a name I've come across a few times. But it was in Ryseer. Almost like a local legend." She dropped a couple of sugar cubes into the cup and passed it to me. "Supposedly, it's someone who's been around for a few centuries. Could be a name that's been passed down, but I read one tale implying a fey blood curse made him immortal as long as he drank the blood of others."

"A fey blood curse?" Could Lord Ebonhammer be seeking that curse for immortality? It made the most sense, given what Perrin had said—but how did that involve Teeg?

She shrugged. "That part may be fiction. Hard to say. Fey used to practice curses before they were outlawed. The name stopped popping up after a while."

"But nothing in Tiruhm?"

"Do you have reason to believe I should have read tales of him here?"

I took a sip of the overly sweet, room-temperature Moonlit Passion tea. An infusion of citrus and floral notes coated my tongue. "I met someone who claimed to be Perrin. He seems to know the man I've been traveling with, so I've become curious."

"Why not ask your friend?"

I stiffened. She was right. If Caelus's sister could be in danger because of me, he should be the one I was asking. "His presence was . . . unsettling. I wanted to look into him myself first."

She pondered that for a moment, then said, "If it's the same Perrin, it'd make sense to feel that way. In the stories from Ryseer, he led an elite underground network of thieves. They stole anything of high value, and Perrin found the highest bidders."

I frowned. Why would Caelus's sister be important to Perrin if he specialized in finding buyers for rare stolen items?

"Not what you were hoping for? If you told me what exactly was going on, I might be able to give you more information."

I shook my head. "No, it helps. I'm just not sure what to make of it yet."

She smiled. "You're welcome to ask me anything. After all, we're both Divine. I know it's not an easy life."

I returned her smile. "Thank you."

She bounced up. "Now, how's it going with using your powers?"

I stayed with Thalia for a while longer. She guided me safely through using the tempest, as she had the first time we met. When I stood to leave, she led me outside, and we said our goodbyes. I headed toward my aunt's home, the sun only beginning its descent.

The Perrin in Ryseer could be the same or wholly different from the one in Tiruhm. The only connection was the fey blood curse and Perrin's mention of Lord Ebonhammer seeking immortality.

And then there was Teeg. Gods, protect him and Caelus's sister.

Caelus was unlikely to be at my aunt's house yet, and he'd probably want to talk more about Perrin. But I wasn't sure where that tournament Keiran had mentioned was located. There couldn't be many places in Tiruhm to accommodate, so I made a turn to head toward the outskirts of the city.

"Eira! Here I was thinkin' it'd be hard to find you, and I would have to wait around at your aunt's," called out a familiar voice.

I turned to see Esteban ambling toward me down a crowded street. I smiled and rushed to him, people continuing past us. Kneeling, I squeezed him into a hug, his beard prickling against my cheek.

He patted my hair and chuckled. "It's only been a few days, girl." He took a step back. "But you look . . ." He smiled and shook his head. "Anyway, where's that boy they sent with you? Crown's guard, wasn't it?"

My shoulders tensed. "He's busy at the moment."

His brows raised. "I thought you were looking for that boy for Malik."

I gave him a sheepish grin. "We are, but it's not as easy as I hoped."

He crossed his arms. "I could've told you that, girl. Surprised he didn't."

I didn't mention that Caelus had told me as much. "It's a bit convoluted, but we have a way. There's a perfect opportunity."

"A perfect chance ain't usually so perfect."

"You don't even know what it is yet."

He laughed. "Let's go, then. You can tell me what I've missed."

When we reached my aunt's home, I helped Esteban with his belongings. He brewed a spiced tea with smoky undertones—Sunfire Spice, my mother's favorite—and we sat in the den. It was no shock when he pulled out a flask and poured golden liquor into his cup while I added honey.

I told him about what we'd learned and the plan Caelus had formed, explaining the yearly Frostfire Festival going on in the city and ending with how the plan involved Caelus and me attending together. As a couple.

"This plan is ridiculous. How in the world is he even meant to get you this ‘audience'?"

I frowned, not sure how to answer. I'd come to trust what Caelus said he could do. My stomach turned. Then why did I tell Perrin about his sister?

"And what if he can't? Are you two going to go snooping around in that castle? Just the two of you? And what about your identity? Parading yourself around is bound to get you noticed."

I slumped and looked down into my teacup. The warmth of it had faded, but I liked it that way. Esteban posed fair questions—questions I hadn't even thought to ask. Each one revealed another answer I didn't have. The more Esteban brought up flaws in the plan, the more I wasn't so sure going to the ball was the best idea. But what other options were there?

"What if . . . What if someone did recognize me?" I asked. Because Perrin had. He knew exactly who I was the instant he saw me—likely before that moment too.

Esteban didn't answer, and I looked up at him. His expression was blank, but I could see it in his usually warm eyes. The idea saddened him. He knew how much it scared me to have people know—how people might resent that I'd run away and hidden, scared of how much would be expected of me. Being a Divine and the lost heir to House Quinn—each would compound the other. The king might even expect me to join the Dawn Conclave.

"Then it would be time to deal with the consequences," he said finally.

But neither of us knew the full scope of what those consequences could entail.