21. Chapter 21

Chapter 21

B efore we left, I checked on Esteban. If he was aware I'd been present, he certainly didn't show it. There was no telling how much he'd drunk to get that intoxicated. Annoyance burned in my veins. He'd promised to help, but now he couldn't. Not that it changed much. Caelus and I had planned to do this without him before he arrived in Tiruhm. It'd been smarter to plan it that way, I'd admit.

But now I was stuck alone with Caelus, a few feet from where Jenevieve stood on a floating wooden stage above the crowd. I glanced at him. He'd been friendlier shortly before he left, but after the miraculous failure of a conversation we'd had, I hoped Esteban could act as a buffer during the treasure hunt. At the ball, we'd be stuck together, though, so I had to learn to pretend we got along, even if he was irate with me for what I'd done.

My gaze shifted back to the floating platform—to Keiran and another young white-haired man I assumed to be Ranvald. He wore a sleeveless tunic despite the autumn chill, arms crossed and appearing more intimidating than a friendly host. Jenevieve rattled off information about it being the annual Frostfire Festival and how many years it'd been going on, leaving me about as bored as the man I presumed to be Ranvald.

Ranvald yawned on the stage, and Keiran laughed. Jenevieve didn't falter, continuing. People were enthralled by her presence, listening to every word. The dress she wore begged you to pay attention to her and left little to the imagination, making it clear she was here to host the event. She'd likely roped Keiran and Ranvald into assisting her.

Caelus was among those enthralled. His gaze locked on the floating stage, listening to every word she spoke. That sour taste filled my mouth again and turned bitter. I frowned but kept my attention on Jenevieve and her brothers.

Keiran made eye contact with me and winked, a charming smile in place. I couldn't keep myself from returning the smile. In my periphery, I caught Caelus glance at me before he looked away. The muscle in his jaw tensed.

"Now, for tonight's event, you will be looking for treasures throughout the city. The treasure may be a physical object or the answer to a riddle." She took a breath. "There will be representatives present to identify our winners, including myself and my brothers." She looped her arms with Keiran and Ranvald. "But you only have an hour, so be quick. And remember, you must work alone. The first three to locate one of the treasures will win an invitation to Lord Ebonhammer's Frostfire Ball!"

The surrounding crowd erupted in excitement.

"Now, without further ado!" she continued, the volume of her voice increasing to be heard over the crowd thanks to esprit. Jenevieve waved a hand above her, and violet esprit glittered from her hand down onto the crowd.

A roll of purple parchment, the same shade as Jenevieve's esprit, appeared in the air before me. I glanced around. Rolls of parchment floated in front of others too.

"You should all have your first clue in front of you. Good luck!" She winked, and the three onstage vanished in a violet cloud.

Everyone broke out into chaos, grabbing their scrolls and darting in every direction. I plucked mine from where it floated in front of me. A man knocked into me, and I stumbled back. Caelus steadied me and took my hand, sending those infuriating tingles up my arm. He guided me out of the fighting crowd. We made it to an alleyway, and he unfurled his roll and read it silently, tilting his head. When he finished, he looked at me, revealing nothing of what it'd said.

I unrolled mine and read:

The hero of legend faces western skies, pockets full of treasures and adventure.

The line obviously referred to Valton and that I should head west. Easy enough, but how was I supposed to know what I was looking for after that? I looked toward Caelus, but he was already gone. I guess we're not talking, then.

I headed back toward Valton's statue and hoped he understood his riddle, unlike myself. It was an effort to avoid the crowd of participants, but once the statue came into view, I scanned the street and buildings west of it. For what, I wasn't exactly sure. But I found nothing that immediately stood out.

I studied the statue, unsure of what to do next.

Violet peeked out from the statue's pocket, and I circled it for a better view. It was another scroll. Did they expect me to crawl up onto it to reach the pocket? I wasn't sure if that was allowed, but before I could second-guess my decision, I pulled myself up and plucked out the scroll, quickly hopping down before anyone could notice me.

Safely on the street, I opened it.

Seek a balance struck in fire and ash.

I furrowed my brow, more baffled than I'd been before and unsure of where to search.

The previous scroll hadn't disappeared, though. I held them next to each other and faced west. The largest street in that direction was the major shopping district. With no other clues, I started down it.

Most of the storefronts were still open for guests who weren't taking part in the event. Frostfire Festival–themed items filled the stores. Candles, blue glass in the shape of a flame, sapphires inlaid in flame-inspired jewelry, and more. Every item I passed could have been a possible answer to the riddle.

A set of scales caught my eye. It was inlaid with sapphires to appear as though it had caught flame, and I considered that they may be the answer to the riddle for balance. But scales were too easy of an answer, especially since someone could buy them before they were found. I moved along to avoid being hounded by the shopkeeper.

A few stores down was an oddities shop. The oddest part of it was that there was no one interested in it. I stopped in front of it, looking at their wares through their window. There were incense burners in various and intricate designs. Beside them were rabbit feet, said to bring luck, and the skulls of crows. Definitely odd.

But what struck me was the ornate bird statuette. It was made of a gleaming dark stone that shone red or blue, depending on the angle. It made the bird appear as if it were on fire. "Beautiful," I murmured.

I started to walk away when the shopkeeper peeked out. She glanced at the statuette and said, "Phoenix caught your eye? Beautiful creatures. Shame the Mad King had them slaughtered."

"Phoenix?" I asked, eyeing the statuette again.

"Myth says when it's ready to pass on, it makes a nest of aromatic wood and sets itself aflame. From the ashes, it's reborn."

Could it be? "Can I look at it?" I asked.

She nodded, and I followed her inside. The smell was striking—a mix of preservatives and herbs that boiled in a pot in the fireplace. There were other strange trinkets and items available that I wasn't sure why anyone would want to buy.

She grabbed the statuette and handed it to me. Surely, if it was the answer, I wouldn't have to buy it—or at least, that's what I hoped. Spinning it around in my hands, nothing appeared special about it. There were no hidden compartments I could find that might hold another clue or note.

I tapped a finger along the surface. Whatever material it was made of wasn't one that I could easily break.

I let out a sigh.

There wasn't time to mess around with something that might not even be the answer. I started to hand it over to the woman, but she was gone. I turned, facing the burning fireplace. Burns, and in the ashes, is reborn. If I was wrong, I'd have no choice but to buy the trinket. It'd no doubt be ruined by the flame, but if I was right . . .

I knelt down and placed the statuette in the fire. The flames engulfed it, turning it a roaring blue before sputtering out. In its place was another roll of violet parchment. Smiling, I picked it up.

The shopkeeper appeared and clapped excitedly. "I wasn't sure you were going to get it."

"Me either," I muttered, opening the next clue.

Royal Frostfire's sight lights the way through serene rainbow's light.

Rainbow? I thought over what I'd seen since I'd been in the city. There wasn't any sort of particularly colorful part of the city I could recall, aside from my aunt's garden and Forgesong. Most of it was steely and cold, aside from the festival decorations.

I rolled up the parchment and headed out into the street. Walking around was better than standing in her store, hopelessly waiting for some hint or memory to fall into place.

My pace quickened and I searched for anything rainbowlike, continuing west. I bit the inside of my cheek. The busy street faded into a stone pathway that led to a residential area. Would a clue or treasure be there?

"I'm guessing you didn't intend to lie to me when you said you wouldn't be taking part in the festivities?" Keiran's voice called out from behind.

I glanced over my shoulder at him, still not sure if I should check the residential area or turn back. There wasn't enough time for both. "It's a sudden development," I said.

He gave a light chuckle. "I would help you if I could, but I'm afraid my hands are tied as a judge."

I turned, deciding that the homes of others would likely not be the home of this city's treasure. "Jenevieve behind that too?" I asked, her name bitter on my tongue.

He fell into step beside me, grinning. "But of course. It's her show, after all."

Her show. Their family likely decided the events of the festival, then. How they managed to obtain three invitations to Lord Ebonhammer's ball was a question for another time. I took a left down a street, not really sure where I was headed, while keeping a lookout for anything bright or colorful.

Keiran followed.

"Vinnie is behind the riddles?" I asked, to confirm what Caelus had said before.

"His silver tongue is envied by many."

I smiled. If Vinnie wrote the riddles and their family ran the events, it might be a hint. They may not choose treasures of the city but perhaps things they themselves treasure within the city.

I continued until I stopped in front of the shimmery path that led to Evryn's temple. Moonlight shone down on the iridescent walkway, revealing a rainbow of color. Keiran smiled next to me when I stepped forward. I hoped it was confirmation that I was on the right track.

All that was left was to decipher the meaning behind the rest of the riddle. Royal Frostfire's sight. I looked around, landing on the statue of Evryn's dragon form again. The sapphire eyes caught on the moonlight and glinted as if a flame burned within them.

I unrolled the page again, reading over the clue.

"It's the eyes," I said. They were frostfire sapphires. An incredibly rare jewel that could only form from dragon fire.

Clapping sounded from the shadows.

I turned, only for the sound to shift to another spot. Keiran tensed next to me.

"It's been rather boring watching you bumble your way through this little game, Lady Quinn."

Perrin stepped forward, and my body went rigid.

I glanced at Keiran. He didn't show any recognition of what Perrin had revealed.

"Are you the reason Travok has Caelus's sister?" I asked, the question tumbling out of me. Now wasn't the time to consider the ramifications of what he'd just revealed to Keiran.

Perrin laughed, the sound turning my stomach. "And what if I was?" Before I could answer, he said, "I thought it would only be fair, given our arrangement, to inform you that the man who escorted your precious cousin and aunt from Tiruhm had a partner who will be present at the ball."

"What arrangement?" Keiran growled. I'd never heard him sound like that before. He sounded almost feral.

A viper's smile formed on Perrin's face. "Lady Quinn is now one of my informants, and in exchange, I provide her with details regarding her family."

"I didn't agree to that," I said.

"Your blood tasted exquisite, and fey deals are binding, after all."

The skin on the back of my hand where he'd kissed it chilled as if confirming his statement. The moment he'd taken it and that sharp prick flashed in my mind. But there hadn't been any sign of the ancient fey tattoos that appeared when fey made deals or used esprit. I rubbed the back of my hand. He'd somehow forced me into a deal with him against my will. Could I attack him? Kill him? I wasn't sure if that would solve anything or if it would just be another needless death.

There was a flash of light next to me, and I glanced at Keiran. He appeared as he always did except for the snarl on his face. When I looked back to where Perrin was standing, he'd disappeared into the shadows again.

A bell tolled, signaling the end of the hour.

"Shit! The eyes!" I spurred into action, starting for the statue. Without the invitation, there wasn't a next move.

Keiran grabbed my arm, stopping me. "Eira, you won the moment you identified the eyes. Now, tell me what's going on."

My shoulders slumped. There was no point in lying to him. He'd heard my name, even if he hadn't said anything about it yet. "He sought me out. Offered me information. I didn't know anything about this . . . this deal. Until now."

He pulled me into a hug, his warmth invading me. Tears threatened to spill over. I didn't realize how much I needed this.

"And what about your friend's sister? How is she involved?" he asked.

"I'm not sure." I mumbled into his chest. "Lord Ebonhammer has her, though."

He sighed, releasing me, and then raked a hand through his wavy hair. "Travok and Perrin are despicable people," he spat.

"What do you know about Travok?" I asked.

His face turned grim, and he searched my eyes. For what, I wasn't sure. His features softened. "You're bound to a dangerous fey, Eira," he said, ignoring my question.

"You know Perrin?"

He reached into his coat and pulled out a sealed envelope, handing it over. "I know of him. You need to be careful, Lady Quinn."

There it was.

My greatest secret.

What could I say to him? I reached for the envelope but hesitated to take it. "You're not angry? Don't want to know more? Have questions?" I asked.

He smiled gently. "Do I need to know?"

Keiran didn't seem shocked by the news. He took the revelation as if he'd always known. Then again, I was Divine—the Tempest. Was being the lost Quinn heir really that different? "You don't seem—"

He stepped forward, leaving almost no distance between us. "I trust you, Eira. You had your reasons. Share them whenever you're ready. But all I wish for is that my friends stay safe. You're doing what you must, and you're far from weak."

He was close—close enough to remind me why I'd had a one-sided longing for him for the first few months I'd known him. But that had been nearly four years ago. I swallowed. "What have I done to earn that trust?"

Keiran smiled. "You have a beautiful soul, Eira. You care, even when it doesn't benefit you. That is enough."

In my aunt's dimly lit den, exactly one invitation sat on the table between Caelus and me, along with my wineglass. I'd had two filled to the brim before he'd returned in an attempt to calm my nerves from the run-in with Perrin.

Caelus hadn't managed to figure out his clues. Given that there was only one invitation, it was all I could assume. But a part of me wasn't sure I believed that. After the time I'd spent with him, it seemed unlikely he couldn't figure out the riddles. He was smart, clever. Always planning.

But here I was, sitting in a room with him, neither of us talking.

If I hadn't won, what would we—I—have done? I had been counting on him to win, but I hadn't realized it until he showed up empty-handed and my heart sank. Maybe it was thanks to Ahrea's luck, like Thalia had implied. Luck explained a lot, but I'd been unlucky in so many ways too. Luck was such an unpredictable thing. Not something I could rely on yet something I always found myself with—like an invisible power, almost.

However, Caelus deserved to know what Perrin all but confirmed when he didn't answer that question. I was the reason Travok had his sister. And despite our earlier argument, I really hadn't intended to cause any of this.

How angry will he be? The answer was irrelevant because he deserved to know. Despite that, the words wouldn't come.

I plucked up the wine and took a long drink.

He appeared bored, leaned back in the armchair with an ankle propped on his knee, staring out the window. "You're nervous. Did something happen?"

My palms grew sweaty, and I clung to the stem of the wineglass. Tell him. My mouth dried. I took another drink, swirling the sweetness through my mouth before swallowing.

He sighed.

I spun the remaining wine around in the glass, working up the courage to speak. He wouldn't wait forever.

I looked away, toward the fire. "I'm sorry," I said, barely audible over the crackle of flame. And I was. Because I missed the teasing Caelus. I hated that talking to him was difficult now.

He leaned forward, and I could sense the intensity of his gaze despite not looking at him.

I found myself fascinated by the way the flames danced. The way they were free in a way I wished to be. "Perrin found me again tonight," I said.

He tensed.

It was thanks to the wine that the words tumbled free. I repeated what Perrin told me about my aunt and cousin when Perrin and I had danced at Forgesong. And then told him how my run-in with Perrin tonight verified my suspicion that it was, in fact, my fault that Travok had Caelus's sister. I left out the deal I'd been forced into that left me as one of Perrin's informants. That wasn't Caelus's problem to deal with.

Caelus remained silent.

To his credit, he didn't appear livid like he had at Forgesong. Though the look of indifference on his face was worse. Like I'd transformed into a disappointment. It reminded me of the way Malik said my Divine title as though he expected more—that I'd be better somehow.

He ran a hand through his hair, the only sign of frustration—or was it anger?—behind the mask. He stood and said, "I'll see you tomorrow, Tempest."

"Where are you going?" I asked, standing too.

"Out." His tone was distant. Icy.

He vanished. The only thing left was the citrus in the air.