“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Defending myself. I thought you were the wraith. I believe I saw him earlier.” I sheathed the weapon, thankful I didn’t have to use it.
“You saw the wraith?” he asked, raising an eyebrow in a distinctly elven gesture.
“I think so, but he escaped before I could track him down. I believe he’s here and he wants us, but for what purpose, I can’t say for sure. Why hasn’t he created a portal and gone back to Faythander?”
“I might know.”
“You do?”
He nodded. “Yes, but I can’t tell you here. I’ve found shelter for us in one of the hotels and made arrangements for our evening meal. I also found clothing for you. You’ll need to change as soon as you can. The armor makes you too easy to spot in a crowd.”
Again, reluctantly, I had to admit he was right.
“Follow me,” he said.
I hurried to catch up with him as we walked back the way I’d come—through the grassy area and back to the tower. After making it to the street, Maveryck led me down one walkway and then another. I followed him, keeping track of the landmarks in case we got separated.
The city’s streets had been constructed in a deliberate pattern. The tower sat at the city’s center and the streets fanned away from it, so finding my way back to it wouldn’t be difficult. Finally, we stopped at a large ornate building made of white stones and surrounded by decorative iron railings. Old trees with long, sprawling branches grew inside the courtyard, their limbs creaking in a quiet wind as soft white lights made their leaves shimmer.
“What is this place?” I asked.
“Our shelter.”
My mouth gaped.
“Maveryck, how were you able to obtain sleeping arrangements in a palace like this? It must have cost a fortune.” I narrowed my eyes. “Exactly how much money did you steal?”
He sighed, seeming annoyed. “I never said I stole it.”
“Then how could you afford this?”
“I have many talents. Not every situation requires theft—not when negotiation and tactfulness will work. Now, we really should get inside the hotel.”
He turned on his heel and walked through the gate overshadowing the courtyard. I watched him before following. He hadn’t answered my question. I was beginning to trust him even less, if that were possible. Plus, he was overly aloof and dangerously pretty—I was no longer sure either of us would survive this quest.
After entering the building, I tried not to gape at the marble floors, the wide, winding staircase with the gold-embellished railing, or the enormous crystal chandelier hanging overhead. I felt so small, and I knew every eye in the place was focused on me.
As Maveryck led me past a desk and up the stairs, I couldn’t help but run my hand over the gold-leaf banister. Was Maveryck used to such lavish arrangements? Although I’d been raised in the Wult keep, we preferred to use less opulence in our building construction.
In truth, the hotel reminded me of a palace I’d visited in the elf kingdom.
After finding a door on the third level, Maveryck led me inside a room.
I’d been doing an awful lot of gaping, but I couldn’t seem to stop. The room was decorated in gold and ivory with vases of white roses arranged on the small tables beside the bed. Soft lights illuminated the windows overlooking the tower.
“I realize it isn’t proper for us to share quarters, so I arranged to sleep in a room just down the hall. This room is yours. As is the clothing.”
He pointed to the bed, and for the first time I noticed a dress was laid out. I approached the garment cautiously, the way I would a rabid beast. I spied gauzy, white fabric, pearls, and a pair of high-heeled shoes. What had the man been thinking?
“What is this?”
“Clothing. This is the appropriate attire for women on this planet in formal settings.”
“I will not wear it. I refuse.”
“I’ve made arrangements to eat at the hotel restaurant where attire such as this is required. It would be unfortunate if they refused to allow you to eat because you chose to wear your armor.”
“I would rather wear my armor.”
“You’re sure about that?”
I glanced at my torso—the once-gleaming breastplate reeked of blood, and the gore had dried and tarnished the metal. It would take hours to polish. Even by Wult standards, wearing such soiled attire at an evening meal would be considered poor taste.
Taking a second look at the dress, I ran my fingers over the mirror-smooth silk. It had a heart-shaped neckline and a knee-length, flowing skirt. Ivory-white lace trimmed the sleeves and hemline. The fabric was so delicate that it would fall apart in a fight.
When I turned back to face Maveryck, he was studying me with those haunting gray eyes.
“I refuse to wear it,” I said. “Perhaps it would help me blend in, but it would not protect me in a fight.”
He took a step closer, and the rich, amber scent of his cologne enveloped me. “Heidel,” he said my name softly, “have you considered that there may be times when you do not need to hide behind your armor?”
His words made me pause.
“Meet me in the restaurant in twenty minutes,” he said.
“And I suppose I’ll have to wear the dress?”
The hardened edges of his face softened. “It’s your choice. I won’t force you to wear it. Should you decide to wear your armor, I will not stop you.” He gave me a small smile and then left the room, shutting the door with a soft click behind him.
I stood alone in the room, staring at the dress as if it were a venomous serpent. Across from me, a mirror hung on the wall. My reflection stared back.
Blood dried on my forehead, sticking to my dark hair. My braid had come loose, and strands of hair stuck out in all directions. I rubbed at the now-crusted blood smeared on my skin in an effort to clean myself up, but nothing but soap and water would remove it completely.
Was this really how Maveryck had seen me?
The thought horrified me more than it should have. Why was it that I couldn’t stop thinking about him and his pensive gray eyes, the shape of his lips, the strong curve of his jawline, or the seductive scent of his cologne?
Was I attracted to him?
Surely not—well, perhaps a little—but any woman would be; he was a breathtaking specimen of male perfection. But was I attracted to him? And if so, did it mean anything?
I glanced back at the dress.
If I wore it, would it mean he controlled me the same way I’d been controlled before?
I traced my fingers along the jagged, puffy scars covering my hands and arms. I’d promised never to fall in love again, and although I had to admit I was attracted to Maveryck, it meant nothing. Wearing the dress meant nothing. It was simply a tool to aid me in my attempt to blend in, and that was all. I snatched the clothing off the bed and entered the bathing chamber. This room looked as luxurious as the bedroom, with a marble tub, a sink with gold fixtures, and a separate shower.
I bathed quickly while trying to talk myself out of my emotions. I knew nothing about Maveryck—where he came from, who his ancestors were. I didn’t even know where the man lived or why he chose to wear the clothing of an elf when he was most likely Wult.
The lavender-scented soap washed away the blood and grime from my hair and skin. When I felt ready, I left the tub and toweled off.
I slipped on the dress, pulling it over my head and shoulders, and let it fall into place. Although the sleeves and bodice fit comfortably, it felt strange not to wear my breastplate, like I’d lost a part of myself. But Maveryck was right, perhaps I had been hiding behind my armor for too long, yet after years of wearing it on a daily basis, it was impossible not to miss.
I found a brush in a package on the counter, and after combing through the long strands, I contemplated whether to wear my hair in the usual braid or ponytail or if I should leave it hanging loosely around my shoulders. It had a tendency to cur
l at the ends, so most times I refused to deal with it by opting to put it up and out of the way. But since I’d already done away with my armor, I decided to leave my hair down.
As I glanced in the mirror, I hardly recognized myself. A woman—not a warrior—stared back at me. I’d never thought of myself as attractive, but the person in the mirror was almost pretty.
The dark strands of my hair brushed against the exposed skin of my neck and chest, and the dress fit snugly around my breasts and waist, tapering at my hips. Running my hands over the fabric, it felt soft and silky, nothing like the cold metal of my breastplate. If it weren’t for the scars covering my hands and forearms, some would consider me beautiful. Thankfully, my brother was nowhere to be found. He would have never let me live this one down.
I had almost convinced myself I was okay with the dress, and then I slipped on the shoes. As I stood, I felt my knees wobble, and it took a great deal of balance and coordination to make it out of the room and down to the hotel’s bottom floor to the restaurant.
Exhaling nervously, I stood outside the restaurant’s doorway. When a man questioned my seating arrangements, I realized I could no longer go through with sharing a meal with Maveryck. A tight knot formed in my stomach, making me queasy.
The man questioned me again. I could only mumble a reply before I turned to leave, but as I did, Maveryck appeared at the doorway.
“Heidel?” The way he said my name made me stop and slowly turn toward him. He had changed his clothing again, and now wore a suit with a dark coat that accentuated his broad shoulders. He’d pulled his hair back, bringing attention to his high elven cheekbones.
My goodness, can the man be any more gorgeous?
I straightened. Although I no longer wore my armor, I was not weak, so I stood tall.
“Hello, Maveryck,” I said.
“Heidel.” He nodded.
“Well, are you going to escort me inside or not?”
He offered his hand, and the knot in my stomach tightened. What was I doing? I couldn’t share my dinner with him. I wanted no part in whatever my feelings were doing to me. I couldn’t afford to fall in love, and being dangerously attracted was the first step.
And yet as I reached for him, I couldn’t seem to stop.
“You look beautiful,” he said, and then he slowly kissed my knuckles, his lips soft and warm. A shiver ran through my body. What would his lips feel like pressed against mine?
He spoke with such grace—an old-world charm that was long forgotten. His voice’s seductive edge drew me to him. I couldn’t look away as he straightened and led me inside the softly lit restaurant. The serene ambiance seemed to come from everywhere—from the bouquets of white roses, to the quartet of musicians playing stringed instruments.
Maveryck led me to a small, cloth-covered table and politely pulled out a chair for me. In Faythander, I would have likely pulled my sword on any man offering me a seat, but since I was in Earth Kingdom, and since none of my kinsfolk was here to see me, I didn’t argue. I hardly felt like myself. In fact, I felt at peace, yet at the same time, vulnerable. Conflicting emotions warred within me, and I wasn’t sure which would win.
Maveryck took his seat across from me. Everything on the table seemed to gleam, from the porcelain plates, the knives and forks, and the crystal glasses.
“How do you like it here?” Maveryck asked me.
I shrugged. “It’s a bit too lavish for my taste.”
“I see.” He sipped his water.
“Everything is too fragile. I feel as if I might break something.”
“It’s not so terrible, is it?”
“Maybe not for you.” I eyed him. He seemed overly comfortable in this world. It was time he gave me answers. “How do you fit in so easily? For that matter—who are you? You’ve the features and clothing of an elf but the ears of a human. Where do you come from?”
“I suppose I am somewhat of an enigma, aren’t I?”
A server arrived with a basket of bread and bottle of wine. He spoke to Maveryck in a strange language, and Maveryck responded. I had no choice but to sit and listen, hoping that whatever Maveryck had chosen for me to eat would be edible. I doubted boarhound was on the menu.
After the server left, Maveryck turned his attention back to me. “So, you want to know who I am, do you?”
“Yes. I believe our quest would go more smoothly if I knew who I was working with.”
“Very well.” He sat back. “I was born to Wult parents, though I had an elven grandmother. My parents were killed, and I was adopted by a noble elven family, but their ways didn’t suit me, so I set off on my own. I’ve been alone since then. Well, except for Grace.”
“I’m not sure the wolf counts as a companion.”
“She does to me.”
“Fair enough.” I ate a small bite of bread. “Why did you leave the elves?”
He shrugged. “Differences of opinion, mostly.”
“Have you ever wanted to go back?”
He gave me a bemused smile, as if he knew something I didn’t. “I suppose I’ve thought of it from time to time, but I’ve always felt more comfortable on my own. Someone with a reputation like mine can’t afford too many attachments.”
“Because you’re a thief?”
“Because I’m dangerous.”
It was my turn to smile. “Hardly.”
“You don’t believe so?”
“No. I’ve seen the way you fight.”
The server came back, this time with two dishes of food. He placed one plate in front of me and the other in front of Maveryck, gave us a polite smile, and then walked away. I stared at my food and then picked up the fork and poked the tentacles doused in white sauce.
“What is this?” I asked.
“Calmar au citron. Squid with lemon in a white wine sauce. It’s quite good. You should try it.”
Being trained in survival, I’d learned never to turn down a meal, but this was pushing it. I took a small bite of the rubbery appendage, and though I was prepared to spit it out, it tasted flavorful.
“It’s not bad. At least it’s better than my sister’s cooking.”
“I’ll take that to mean you like it.”
“Don’t push it.” I took a larger bite followed by a sip of water. “Tell me, have you been able to work out a way to retrieve the staff and get us off this planet?”
“I’m still working on the details, but I think I’ve come up with something.”
“Go ahead.”
“This is what I know so far. When we fought the wraith in Faythander, the staff interacted with the reflection in the ice and created a portal. I’m not sure how this happened exactly, as magic does not usually work without a practitioner, but the staff most likely has properties we don’t understand. Whatever the case, we are now in Earth Kingdom with no way back.”
I sighed. “Then how are we to get home?”
“I know of only one way. We must find an existing portal here in Earth Kingdom, and the closest portal I know of exists on a small island just south of the coast of Montpellier, France.”
“How do you know that?”
“I, eh…” He cleared his throat. “I’ve researched the subject of portals a few times—in the past.”
“Where did you come by this knowledge?”
“It’s not important.”
“It is if you want me to follow you.”
He rubbed his forehead. “Why do you need to know?”
“Because I need to be able to trust you.”
“I assure you, I speak the truth when I say there is a portal on the island I speak of. Where I get my information is not important. You can trust me.”
I avoided meeting his gaze. The truth was I wasn’t sure I could trust anyone ever again. I’d seen too much and heard too many lies. Someone like Maveryck would never understand.
“I will never trust you,” I told him. “I can’t.”
“You can’t or you don’t want to?”
I
shrugged. “Maybe both.”
This was bad on so many levels. I couldn’t trust him, and he refused to tell me the truth. Maybe it didn’t matter if I could trust him or not—what ultimately mattered was finding the staff and escaping this planet. Once I crossed through the portal, all the memories of my time spent on this planet would be erased and I would no longer have to work with him. Perhaps I’d been worrying too much all along.
I returned my focus to Maveryck. “Tell me again where the portal is?”
He raised an eyebrow. “I thought you couldn’t trust me.”
“I’ve decided it doesn’t matter. Tell me where the portal is so we can get this over with and go home.”
He scanned my face, his eyes intense, as if he could see my thoughts. “Very well,” he said finally. “The portal is located on an island near the coast of Montpellier. We entered through a portal in the catacombs, most likely because they are a place connected to Earth magic. However, we need a portal connected with Faythander magic, so returning the way we came isn’t possible. We need to get to Montpellier, and we need to get there soon. I don’t know where the wraith is now, but like us, he will also be looking for a way back.”
“How far are we from the portal?”
“About a half day’s journey if we take Earth Kingdom’s Eurail. Once we get to Montpellier, we’ll have to find a boat in order to cross the ocean to the island. It won’t be easy, and we’ll most likely be trailed by the wraith.”
“That’s something I don’t understand,” I said. “Why is he bothering to trail us at all? Why doesn’t he just create a portal by using the staff and go back to Faythander?”
“Because he most likely only has enough magic to fuel the staff in this world. He is stuck here as well and must find a portal back to Faythander.” Maveryck leaned forward, locking his eyes with mine. “You need to understand something about this wraith,” his voice grew quiet, yet urgent. “The silverwitch transforms many people who come into contact with her, but because of their reclusive nature, she has only been able to transform a few goblins.
“Transformed goblins are unlike other wraiths. They’re smart, stealthy, and they’ll attack when you least expect it. A goblin wraith in Earth Kingdom is even more dangerous.
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