I smiled. “That is most excellent to hear.”
Lady Merrick stood straighter. She went to the disguised Fumiko and grasped both her hands. “Your highness, I wanted to congratulate you on your engagement.” She glanced at me and smiled. “I think you’ve chosen a fine young man.”
“Thank you,” said the vision of Zofie.
Nadine stepped back and clasped her hands in front of her. “I do hope you will invite me to the wedding. I know my husband has made it difficult for us to be high on the guest list, but I, for one, would love to attend.”
The vision of Zofie hesitated. I could tell Fumiko was unsure how to respond.
But Nadine shook her head and held up a hand. “There is no need to answer now. I realize you are months away from making your list, and you must choose carefully who you invite. But if not my husband, please do consider me. I would so love to see you and your attendants walk to meet your groom.” She smiled. “I bet you’re going to choose that bodyguard of yours as your first. What is her name? Risten, isn’t it?”
I tried not to show any reaction. Risten had been born a bastard child of the king’s brother, Bernard Xernow, and she had never known her birth mother. The woman’s identity was a mystery. However, when Lady Merrick had hidden Galvyn and me, I had put the pieces together and figured out Nadine was Risten’s mother, and that over the years, she had been watching Risten from afar. It was yet another secret that I carried. I wondered if I would break under their burden.
Zofie’s illusion gave a chuckle. “Risten is indeed the one I was hoping to pick. But I’m not sure she could tolerate being in a dress for that long.”
Nadine smiled. “That indeed could be a problem.” She paused. “I had heard she was away. I hope everything is all right with her. You need your bodyguard back.” She looked over at me. “Nothing against your knight, of course.”
Zofie’s illusion smiled. “While he’s nowhere near as good as Risten, I still plan to keep him.”
Then Nadine suddenly grew serious. “And please be careful, your highness. I heard there was an assassination attempt on you. So don’t wait too long to bring your bodyguard back soon. You must be protected.”
Zofie gave a nod. “I will indeed be careful. Plus, I have my trusted knight, which I plan to keep constantly by my side.”
Nadine turned to me. “And you too Coren, please be careful.” She surprised me by pulling me into a motherly hug. “And don’t forget your promise.” With that, she disengaged and stepped toward the door.
“While I would love to chat longer, my husband will be perturbed with me if he finds me distracting his guests too much, so I must leave.”
And with that, she slipped out of the room.
Fumiko and I looked at each other. That had been strange.
But we didn’t have time to ponder it as Lord Merrick himself strode into the room. He gave a perfunctory bow to Zofie and completely ignored me. “Apologies for keeping you waiting, your highness. Business has been challenging lately, as I’m trying some new ventures. Now, what can I do for you today?”
The disguised Fumiko spoke. Her voice the perfect commanding tone Zofie used when dealing with troublesome subjects. “I would like to use the Wayward’s Finder. There is an ancient artifact I need to locate.”
Merrick considered her for a moment. “I’m assuming you’re aware of the fee for using the finder. It has been customary for generations. Your father knew, but I wasn’t sure if he passed down that information.”
I tried not to show any emotion. Zofie had been holding tightly to our remaining gold since we were so short.
The disguised Fumiko didn’t say anything at first, merely stared at him. “How is your export business coming?” she asked softly. “I had heard a rumor that a person was found inside one of your company’s shipping crates. I assured that person it must to be a mistake. That Lord Merrick had surely learned his lesson on dealing in humans.”
The tension in the room shot up. As the two stared at each other, Lord Merrick’s face stayed unconcerned. “For past royal consideration, I would be willing to let you use the finder for a mere token of a few gold royals.”
I swallowed. A single gold royal was worth a smallholding by itself. I think our treasury only held a few now, if that many.
The disguised Fumiko remained still, not moving a muscle. I glanced down at her feet and noticed a slight waver. She was tiring. I counted up the time since we had stepped out of the carriage. It had only been half an hour ago, so Fumiko must be more out of practice than she thought. We had to wrap this up quickly.
Fumiko fixed him with her gaze. “Perhaps what your businesses need is someone to help with your accounts. I could lend you my secretary. She is excellent at ledgers. I’m sure she could help you find missing inventory or lost funds. Making correct entries can be so difficult. And we both know the value of keeping good accounts. Especially when one has loans to the other lords. I imagine they would be quite outdone if your accounts were ever discovered to be less than accurate.”
Merrick remained expressionless; however, a bead of sweat on his forehead betrayed him. “That won’t be necessary, your highness. In fact, what are a few royals among friends? Why don’t I just let you use it? You never know, I might need a favor in the future.”
The disguised Fumiko gave a cold smile. “I think that is an excellent idea. Gold should never come between friends.”
Merrick started moving toward the door. “I will be back in a moment.” He left, and only a few minutes later returned with the finder. He held it out to us. “Would you like to do the search?”
The disguised Fumiko smiled. “Would you be so kind as to do it for me? I’m sure you’re much more capable than I am.”
Merrick gave a pained smile. “Of course. Now, what are you looking for again?”
“The Griffin’s Key.”
Merrick closed his eyes and held the finder out. “Please show me in what direction the Griffin’s Key is located.”
The finder immediately started to glow. We waited for it to begin to move. But after a few moments, the glow died.
He tried it again. But with the same result.
Merrick looked at us a bit fearfully. “I’m sorry. But it can’t locate an object by that name.”
I glanced to Fumiko and our eyes met. Even though it was Zofie’s face, her disappointment was perfectly readable.
What were we going to do now?
As we rode back to the castle in the carriage, I kept the shade up and watched out the window at the passing scenery. The late afternoon sky had become cloudy, and the air had developed more of a cold bite. By evening, we would likely get either freezing rain or possibly snow. The grayness matched my dark mood. We hadn’t been able to learn what we needed.
Lord Merrick had been uncharacteristically patient as we tried a few more combinations, but the finder stubbornly refused to home in on the key. He had explained to us that we had to have the exact name of the artifact. And like the Mirror of Bygone Tears we had searched for previously, some things were just blocked from being located. In desperation, we even tried finding Wynn and Lilith, but they didn’t show up either. Also likely concealed. We finally had to stop because Fumiko signaled she was reaching the end of her endurance. So we had thanked him and quickly left.
What were we going to do? It all seemed so hopeless. Hopefully, Spraggel and Rourke had located some lead. I sighed. But before we had left, they had said things did not look promising—there were only a few more places to check. If it wasn’t for the fact that Lilith had been prepared to kill for it, and Advisor Yonge had reached out all the way from the Kuiojia Empire, I would have thought it was all make-believe.
I rubbed my eyes. I glanced over at Fumiko across from me. She had turned sideways in her seat with her back against the carriage’s sidewall and curled up into a ball, with her head resting on her knees. It was hard to tell if she was asleep or not. The moment we had entered the carriage, she had dropped the i
llusion and fell back into her seat completely exhausted. She had done an almost perfect job of impersonating Zofie. But watching her in action led me to believe there was more to her skill than just looking like the person. She became that person. As I watched her, I couldn’t help but ask the question: Exactly what were you trained for?
I shivered. It was getting cold in the carriage. Blankets were kept under our seats, and I was tempted to pull one out. Maybe even try to catch a nap myself. Tonight promised to be another long one. But I resisted. If Fumiko was sleeping, I might disturb her.
So I stuffed my hands into my jacket pockets and was surprised to feel something inside one of them. Pulling it out, I discovered a piece of carefully folded paper. That was odd—my pockets had been empty before. What was even stranger was that it had my name written on it in a flowing feminine penmanship I did not recognize.
Opening it revealed a brief note from Nadine. She must have slipped it into my pocket when she hugged me. It was carefully written, and I noticed there was not a single cross-out.
Dearest Coren, it read. Apologies for this hidden note, but it is the only way I could get this information to you discreetly. My sources tell me, Risten has been scouring the eastern part of the kingdom for one of the ancient artifacts. Something to do with a key. She seems quite determined to get it. So determined she’s been leaving a trail of blood in her wake. But recently, she’s shifted strategies and appears to be waiting for something. She was last seen in Iron Landing and in the company of a man named Wort. Please be careful and stay away from that town.
I am not sure what Wynn did to my Risten, but it’s like she’s a different person. She’s become heartless. I’ve also heard she was the one that made the attempt on the princess’s life. This is totally against her character, and something must be driving her to do this. Something horrible.
I know you have other challenges at the moment, but I beg you to hear this mother’s plea: please save Risten. You of all people I am confident can do this. It was not signed.
I sighed. Nadine must have been watching Risten closely over the years to notice the change in behavior. And she was right. Something horrible had happened—a Dark Avenyts. I would definitely save Risten if I could, but I wasn’t exactly sure how. She was far too dangerous to even get close to.
But what really surprised me was the man with her. Lord Wort Dilyston. Risten had a death grudge against the man and had sworn to kill him. He had murdered her master. The Risten inside likely raged every time he was near.
I frowned. While I wanted to save Risten, and it hurt me to even think it, but I had to get Zofie back first. Assuming we could ever find this Griffin’s Key. There had to be something we were overlooking.
I glanced at Fumiko only to find her eyes open. She still rested her head on her knees, but had turned her head in my direction, her face impassive.
“We should interrogate our prisoner again. I believe she knows more than she’s telling us. Maybe apply some motivation to help her remember.”
“Motivation?” I asked.
“Nothing that would kill her, just make it uncomfortable.” There was a coldness to her voice I did not like.
“You mean torture her?” I shook my head. “While I have no love for the Dark Avenyts inside her, the girl is just that—an innocent girl. Torturing one, tortures the other.” I glanced out the window. “Besides, she didn’t give even a hint she knew anything more. I’m not opposed to questioning her again, but torture is out of the question.”
She gazed at me a moment longer. “You’re too trusting.”
I thought she might pursue the argument, but she hugged her legs tighter and nodded toward the paper I held.
“Is that a note from Lady Merrick?” she asked. “I thought I saw her slip something into your pocket.”
I nodded, surprised she had noticed while I had not. “Apparently, Lilith is anticipating our next move and waiting for us in Iron Landing. We’ll have to be careful we don’t run into her.”
Fumiko gazed at me without speaking. I couldn’t help but feel I was being assessed.
“Lady Merrick was right,” Fumiko said. “You can’t protect Zofie against her.”
I considered her a moment before answering. “I know. I practice every day, and I am getting better, but my skills are nowhere near what would be required to beat her. It could be years before I’m good enough, if ever.”
She watched me quietly for a moment. And then she surprised me with her question. “How far would you go to protect Zofie?”
I shrugged. “I would give my life for her.”
Again the long pause. She glanced out the window and then returned her eyes to me, fixing my gaze with hers. “Dying is easy. Living with a tainted soul can be quite difficult.” She paused. “Would you be willing to taint your soul for her?”
I leaned forward. “I would do whatever it took to keep her safe.”
“Would you?” she asked, her expression cold. “Would you even be willing to get your hands dirty? To do those things that must be done no matter how distasteful? Would you be willing to give up even the one thing in the world you truly love?”
I didn’t like this turn in the conversation. “Of course, I would protect Zofie,” I said a little more harshly than I meant to. “I’d do whatever it takes.”
She continued to hold my gaze. Uncomfortably long. I sensed she was dissatisfied with my answer.
She finally looked away and put her forehead back on her knees. “Coren, I will help you as best I can. But at some point, you’re going to have to decide exactly what you’re protecting and how much you’re willing to give up to do it.”
She paused. I crossed my arms and looked out the window. I thought she was done.
But Fumiko had one last thing to say.
“Living with a tainted soul can be more painful than you can ever imagine.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Interrogation
When we arrived back at the castle, it was nearly dark. A cold rain had settled over us and had just begun to turn freezing. Snow, I didn’t mind. It was beautiful to look at and brought pleasant memories of playing in it with my father. But I hated it when the rain turned to ice. My curse had frequently used it to make some calamity happen. Evidently, slippery surfaces were perfect for recharging my luck.
As we passed through the castle’s doors, I had intended to head straight for Zofie’s room, but Fumiko stopped me just inside the entrance.
“Let’s go to the kitchens and get something to eat,” she said. “We missed our midday meal.”
I shook my head. “I’m going to pass. Instead, I think I’ll check on Zofie.”
She frowned. “Did you even have any breakfast?”
I hadn’t. “I’m not hungry,” I explained. I looked up the stairs just inside the door. “My stomach is in knots. There is no way I can eat now.”
I could sense her disapproval, but she changed topics. “We should update the rest of the council on our failed mission this evening.”
I nodded. “Yes, we should. Let’s meet in Zofie’s study in an hour. Hopefully, Spraggel and Rourke have been more successful in digging up clues than we have.”
Fumiko gave a slight bow and turned to leave. “Agreed. That will give me time to let the others know.” She quickly walked away and headed down a side corridor.
Something struck me as odd as I watched her head off, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I shrugged.
I went straight to Zofie’s room. The guard at the door admitted me with no hesitation. And when I saw her, my heart broke all over again.
The princess was sitting in her chair close to the fire with her hands in her lap. Vidonia had dressed her for the day and done up her hair in an elaborate coiled braid. She looked beautiful. But she still wore the blank expression I was coming to loathe.
Vidonia looked up from her needlework as I entered. She had drawn up her chair next to Zofie’s with a small myst lantern between them.
“Any change?” I asked.
She shook her head sadly.
I knelt before Zofie and took her hand, raising it to my lips for a brief kiss. I missed her so much.
“The finder didn’t work,” I told Zofie. “The others are coming later to figure out what to do.” I kissed her hand again. “I’m sorry.”
I laid my head in her lap, just feeling her warmth. What I would give to feel her fingers running through my hair.
Vidonia stood up and stretched her back. “Since you’re here, Sir Coren, do you mind if I fetch the lady something to eat. It will give me a chance to stretch my old legs.”
I nodded, and she left on her mission, while I moved into the chair she had vacated. I took Zofie’s hand and leaned back.
I had gotten very little sleep the previous night and been too keyed up to rest in the carriage, so it was no wonder I began to drift. Sleep claimed me before I knew it.
Coren.
I became aware of a voice. Was it Zofie?
I suddenly realized I was dreaming. But it was fuzzy. I had to focus to see any details. I stood on a plain of all gray, which stretched for as far as I could see in all directions.
Coren.
Came the voice again. It seemed to originate behind me. I turned and saw Zofie standing there. And behind her stood Abe, with his stick-figure body and completely round head. The one eye of his curse mark was open and looking at me. I reached for them, but there was some sort of barrier preventing me. I tried to speak, but no words would come out.
Coren, she called again. Can you hear me? We’re trapped...
I jerked at a knock on the door. “Enter,” I called.
Rourke opened the door. He noticed me blinking and rubbing my eyes. I wondered how long I had been out.
“Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t realize you were asleep. Fumiko said we were gathering here. I came early to deliver the charms we talked about.”
I blinked up at him. “You did?”
Assassin of Curses: (The Coren Hart Chronicles Book 3) Page 9