Amber Sky (C.O.I.L.S Of Copper and Brass Book 1)

by Claire Warner

  “Wait,” she called out, stepping forward to take him by the arm. “What about Beth?”

  He stopped and turned back to face her. “What about her?”

  “She’s been transferred by Kail,” Tay replied, appalled that she had failed to mention it before. “We’ll have to help her.”

  “And you didn’t think to mention this before?” Darius snapped.

  “If you hadn’t started…”

  “Are you blaming me?” Darius interrupted, a definite snap to his voice. “You’re the one who had the information.”

  “Okay.” Tay held up her hand to forestall the impending argument. “Let’s just focus on finding her.”

  “Fine.” Darius leant against the door frame. “Are we safe to talk here?”

  “Yes,” Tay nodded, remembering almost too late that they could no longer speak freely. “She’s gone for the night.”

  “That’s a blessing at least,” Darius sighed with relief. “Now about Beth, what exactly were you told?”

  “The new maid told me that she had been transferred.” Fear made her trip over her words. “Do you think Kail’s interrogating her?”

  “I wouldn’t have thought so,” Darius replied, after a moment’s thought. “After all, I didn’t request her transfer to these rooms.” Slender, elegant fingers reached up and rested against his chin. Tay followed the movement, wondering what he was thinking.

  “I don’t understand,” she snapped back, abandoning all sense of calm as she began to pace. “Why would that have any bearing?” Thoughts of Beth in Kail’s hands crowded through her mind. “She works for us.” Darius raised an eyebrow, and she winced at her wording.

  “Because Kail cannot guarantee that Beth is with the resistance.”

  “And if he interrogates her for no reason,” Tay replied, with sudden awareness, “then he’s irritated one of the nobility with little justification.”

  “Exactly,” Darius replied, pushing himself free from the wall. “I would suggest that the new girl is a spy.” Tay thought about the girl’s petrified demeanour and doubted his assessment. “We’ll know for certain if she accompanies us home.”

  “You’re not going to look for Beth?” Tay took an involuntary step forward, anger building once more.

  “If I do”－exasperation flowed through his voice－“they will certainly know that she is involved.”

  “But…”

  “However”－he interrupted her protest with a wave of his hand－“that doesn’t mean I can’t check through a proxy.” Deep, blue eyes took in the concern on her face. “I’ll make sure she’s alright,” he reassured in softer tones. “I won’t let anything befall her.”

  “Thank you.” Tay took a step back and headed for the exit.

  “Tay.” She turned back to face him. “I’m sorry for earlier.”

  “No, you were right.” Tay stared down at her feet as she answered. “I’m here to be your sister.” The carpet rippled as she dug her toes into the soft surface. “I almost forgot that.” Biting her lip, she finally raised her eyes back to him.

  “That’s not what I meant.” Darius did not move, but Tay took a step away from the seriousness of his gaze. “I shouldn’t have reacted as I did.” Tay felt tense, unnerved by his manner. “You are not my sister”－he took a deep breath－“nor my lover.” The air about Tay felt close, suffocating as he continued to speak. “I had no right to act like one.” Tay opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again, unsure of how to respond. Darius watched her from the door, eyes calmly fixed on her face. “Rest assured, it’ll not happen again.” He turned and headed into his bedroom. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he called back over his shoulder, before he closed the door behind him.

  The clock ticked quietly in the corner as Tay stared at the shut portal, unsure of what had just occurred.

  Chapter 23

  “I thought we were leaving today,” Tay snapped across the breakfast table, “and now you say that we’re staying until tomorrow,.” Her fingers curled painfully about the handle of her fork. “I can’t keep this charade going much longer.”

  “It’s not my fault.” Darius returned his cup to the table. “I was informed that the King wishes to hold a full conclave.” A frustrated shrug rippled across his shoulders. “There’s absolutely no way I can get out of this.”

  “But what am I supposed to do?” Tay slammed the fork down on the table. “I only just managed to make it through the last day and a half.”

  “You could stay in your rooms.” A napkin landed beside his half-eaten breakfast. “I have no choice, I have to stay…”

  “Then why can’t I leave?”

  An eyebrow arched almost to his hairline. “Is that a serious question?”

  “I just thought…” Tay ran a distracted hand through her hair.

  “That would not be a good idea.”

  “Why not?” Tay snapped back, frustration making her voice sharp. “Why do I need to be here? I’ve done my job.”

  “Yes, you have,” Darius replied, in his infuriatingly calm tones, “and you did it well, but we can’t leave separately.” Tay gave a sigh and sank back in her chair. “I’m not happy about this either.” He picked up a piece of toast and slathered it with butter. “I’d much rather get out of here and away from Kail.” Tay glanced back at her plate, she had almost forgotten her ‘betrothed’ with the shock of the news. “But we’re stuck, and we’re going to have to put up with it.”

  “Fine.” Tay picked up her cup and took a small sip of her tea. “So, what happens now?”

  “Conclaves are usually held in the afternoon.” He took a bite of toast and chewed thoughtfully. “So, we stay low-key this morning.”

  “What about Beth?” Tay had slept little, concern over her friend had preyed on her mind.”

  “I…” He stopped speaking as a knock sounded at the door. “Yes?”

  “It’s Kail.” The words echoed through the room, bringing more tension to the already fraught atmosphere. “May I enter?”

  “A moment,” Darius flicked his eyes toward the door to her suite, and Tay took the hint. Dropping her napkin on the table, she raced across the floor and into her own rooms. Closing the door, she leant forward and pressed her ear against the keyhole.

  “Two days in a row, Kail,” Darius’ languid tones drifted across her ears. “Should I be honoured?”

  “I am going to be your future brother in law.” Kail’s voice reached her ears, as chilly as the night before. “I felt it a courtesy.”

  “Did you?” There was a chink, and Tay pictured the tea cup landing on the saucer. “Was it a courtesy last night?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “So, you threaten women so often that you don’t remember?” A chilly note entered Darius’ voice. “She did tell me.”

  “I was acting in my capacity as a guard.” A hurried note of justification rippled through Kail’s tones. “It wasn’t personal, and I would never…”

  “You still struck her.” Tay bit her lip as Darius’ voice turned deadly. “You understand, I could use this as a reason to end the betrothal.”

  “I apologise for any offence I caused.” Kail’s apology was stiff, yet grovelling. “I was acting within my remit.”

  “Strange.” Darius’ voice sounded close to the door. “Interrogations of the nobility usually require evidence and a writ, not removal from a betrothal ball and questions in a side room.”

  “I will apologise to your sister personally.” Kail seemed torn between righteous justification and fear. “The Prince vouched for her actions.” His voice was hurried, and Tay thought she could detect panic in the tone. “Please understand, I would not have acted the way I did without a solid lead, and I had one.”

  Tay moved away from the door, and scrambled into a heavier gown, unwilling to meet Kail in her dressing gown.

  “You will certainly apologise,” Darius continued, his voice unrelenting. “And then I shall think about your betrothal; I doubt
my Father wishes Lyana to be matched to someone who falsely accuses her of treason.”

  “It won’t happen again, I promise.” There was definitely panic to Kail’s voice now, and Tay wondered at it. Why would the thought of losing the betrothal mean so much to him?

  “It better not.” There was a note of finality to Darius’ tone. “Wait there, I’ll see if she wants to see you.” Tay retreated to the far side of the room and waited for the door to open.

  “Lyana.” Darius’ voice increased in volume as he walked into the room. “Kail’s here, and wants to apologise.” Darius rolled his eyes, nearly making her laugh. “Do you want to see him?” A slight nod informed her that he wanted her to say yes.

  “I’m not sure.” Her voice wavered slightly, unwilling to agree immediately. “Is he alone?”

  “No, he brought one of his guards.” Darius moved into the room. “I understand you may not want to see him, but Father wouldn’t be overly impressed if you didn’t allow the man to apologise.”

  “Oh, okay.” Tay walked forward and caught hold of Darius’ arm. As a pair, they stepped back into the sitting room.

  Kail’s fingers curled around the back of the chair; thin, elegant fingers that seemed at odds with his callous eyes and stiff demeanour. At his right elbow, the equally rigid form of a guard watched her approach. She swallowed back her nerves and faced the pair of them.

  “Do you have something to say?” she asked, forcing strength into her voice from somewhere.

  “I apologise for my appalling behaviour last night,” Kail replied, his cold voice offering a hint of sincerity. “I was merely attending to my duty. I hope this will not affect our betrothal.”

  “We’ll see,” Tay replied, unwilling to allow Kail a sense of relief. “I’ll think about it.” She sat back down at the table, and picked up her knife. “Is that all?”

  Kail hesitated, before nodding once and stepping back. “Once again, I apologise for last night, and I hope you will forgive me in time.” He raised his eyes to Darius. “See you in the conclave.”

  The door shut behind the duo and silence descended. As the sound of retreating footsteps finally echoed through the room, Tay released a tense breath.

  “Why is this betrothal so important to him?” She plucked a piece of toast from the rack and buttered it. “Particularly as he’s investigating you.”

  “He wants noble rank.” Darius returned to his seat. “Military rank doesn’t provide the same privileges.” He took another bite of toast and chewed thoughtfully. “If I had the power, I’d veto the pairing.”

  “Why can’t you?”

  “Father.” Darius leant back in the chair. “I’m willing to bet that he pushed this through.”

  “But why?”

  “Who knows.” His fingers curled around the arms of his chair, Tay stared down at those hands, her mind feeding her images of the previous night. “I think it best if you stay here today.”

  “You won’t get any argument from me,” Tay replied, the thought of diving back into the morass of court life almost too much for her to bear. “What are you going to do about Beth?”

  “I have some contacts.” Darius lounged back against the chair. “Don’t worry.”

  “I do worry.” Tay pushed her chair back and stood. “I worry that she’ll be hurt, I worry that she’ll talk.” Short, agitated steps carried her toward the fireplace. “I worry that they’ll come for us…” Darius stood and joined her at the fire. A hesitant moment passed before his hand descended lightly onto her shoulder. Tay swallowed as he turned her to face him.

  “I’ll find her.” His voice was soft, reassuring, and the weight of his hand sent shivers across her skin, bringing memories of the previous night to the fore yet again. “We will get away with this.” Darius did not move, his other hand still hung by his side, but Tay felt herself drifting forward, captured by the gentle look in his eyes.

  You are not my sister, nor my lover.

  Words from the previous evening sang through her mind, and she struggled to stay focused. “But Kail…” Her voice trailed off as the door opened behind them.

  “May I clear?” The new maid entered the room with her head down.

  “Yes.” Darius’ hand dropped from Tay’s shoulder, and he stepped back. “I’d better get ready for the conclave.” The kindness had fled his voice, the softness buried beneath cool, business-like tones.

  Tay watched him walk to his rooms, warmth still tingling though her shoulder from the weight of his hand. The room seemed smaller, and she took a steadying breath.

  “Do you wish me to draw a bath, Miss?” The maid drew her from her thoughts.

  “Yes, please.” She allowed the maid to lead her into her rooms, confused at the feelings that had begun to simmer within.

  Chapter 24

  A knock on the door drew her from the book that Talon had given her. Despite his insistence that it would assist them in searching for the Coils, it had so far seemed to be nothing more than a collection of fairy-tales, and while they were fascinating, she couldn’t see the connection.

  “Come in.” She closed the slender, leather folio and placed it between the cushions of the chair.

  “Lyana.” Amira swept into the room like a small hurricane. “What are you doing moping in your room?”

  “Everyone else is at the conclave.” Pushing herself from the chair, she waved at the snow drifting past the window. “And it’s freezing outside.”

  “That’s nothing.” Amira lifted her arm. A bag swung from her fingers, dark red and embroidered with white flowers. “We’re going swimming.”

  “We?” Tay glanced at the door as Cara and Linnett poked their heads into the room.

  “Come on.” Linnett’s dark hair was coiled back in an elaborate plait. “There’s nothing else to do.”

  “And it’s boring being stuck in your room.” Cara’s auburn curls bounced about her face as she spoke.

  “Talia shouldn’t be there,” Amira said, with a cheeky grin, clearly feeling that this would be an inducement. “Come on.” She reached out a hand and seized Tay’s wrist. “We’re never going to be here again…”

  “So let’s make the most of it,” Cara finished, finally moving into the sitting room. “Please.” Tay chuckled at the pout that creased her features.

  “Alright.” Tay pulled her hand away from Amira, and walked toward her bedroom. “Just give me a minute.”

  “Can I help you, Miss?” Tay jumped as the maid spoke from behind the door.

  “Yes.” Tay calmed her breathing. “I’m going swimming.”

  The maid nodded, and began to look through the chests. From the other room, the sounds of conversation continued, and for a moment, she forgot that this wasn’t her life. As the maid packed a small bag, she stared out of the window. Snow drifted past, white flakes bright against the grey sky. On the far edge of the grounds, she could see a platoon of guards carrying what appeared to be a large crate through the boundary gates that led to the woods beyond. Tay moved closer to the glass, her breath fogging the cold surface as she strained to see more clearly. The crate was unwieldy and as the guards pulled it through the gate, it fell into the snow.

  “Here you go, Miss.” Her maid interrupted her contemplation.

  “Thank you.” She took the bag from the girl’s hand. “What’s your name?”

  “Emma, Miss.”

  “Thank you, Emma.” With one last look at the struggling guards, she left her room.

  The water came up to her neck. The swimming pool was rectangular in shape and tiled in shades of blue. Square columns supported an arched ceiling made of glass. Snow blotted out the natural light, but steady, non-flickering lamps glowed from each alcove. Lifting her feet, she floated in the warm water, and her mind drifted away. Behind her she could hear the conversations of the other girls, but at this moment, she relaxed, forgetting her troubles as the water lapped around her.

  “What did you think of the ball?” Amira swam to her, her voice
low and barely audible amongst the babble of conversation. Above them, the metallic forms of the spiders scurried across the glass, clearing the snow from its surface.

  “Enjoyable,” Tay said. “Except for…” Her voice trailed off, unsure of what she could say.

  “I know.” Amira moved closer, her voice dropping to barely a whisper. “I heard that Annetta never made it home.”

  Tay jerked upright, water spraying into Amira’s face.

  “What?” She remembered to whisper, but she couldn’t contain the outrage. “Do you think…?”

  “I don’t know.” Amira moved closer, her voice almost a breath. “But the guard have been mobilised out to the forest.” She glanced at the others, making sure they were out of earshot. “I think something big is going to happen.”

  “Why are you telling me?” Tay asked.

  “Because I know that Kail is watching your brother, and he’s watching you.” Another sideways glance. “Be careful. It’s not good to question too much.”

  Tay watched Amira swim away, confusion running through her head. She thought about Annetta, if one of the nobility could vanish, then what chance did Beth have? Returning to the others, she joined in the conversation, hiding the worry that surged through her.

  Chapter 25

  The route from the swimming pool took her past the library, and she drifted inside. She told herself she wasn’t looking for Talon, but disappointment sliced through her when she realised he wasn’t there. Turning back to the door, she started to leave, before Kail’s familiar tones echoed along the corridor. Unwilling to be cornered alone, Tay raced over to the secret entrance and hid.

  “Is there anyone in there?” Kail’s voice drifted through the door, and Tay froze.

  “No,” a man answered, his voice gruff. “Looks like we’re safe.” From her hidey-hole, she heard the library door close. “Carl will tell us if anyone comes.”

  “Good.” There was a creak of leather as Kail sat in the chair. “Now, what do you have for me?”