Page 82 of Heart of Shadows

“The way an orphan does, sire,” she replied, as Dimitrius had told her, for they had fleshed out a back story in anticipation of any questions. “I have travelled to many places, most of which I do not know the names, until I arrived here and Lord Ellarian took me into his employ. I have worked for him since.”

His eyes narrowed. “Why you?”

“I—I don’t know, sire. I only know that he spotted me and I fit the task he wished me to complete?—”

“Which was?”

“To follow a man, unseen, and report back.”

“What sort of tasks do you complete for him?”

“Following people, reporting, sending messages and retrieving them, infiltration…”

“Infiltration of?” Toroth asked sharply, circling closer.

Harper sat up straighter. “I blend in wherever Lord Ellarian requires me. In this case, a thief and his outlaws.” It was easier not to call Aedon by name, to be as cold as the king. If she thought of them too much, she was sure she would crumple and all would be lost.

“Tell me everything. I want to know precisely how you charmed the criminals that have eluded me for so long.”

Harper wet her lips nervously and forced her shaking hands to lay flat upon her knees, though she longed to fuss with them. Her clammy palms fused to the fabric.

“Keep going, Harper,” Dimitrius’s voice floated into her mind, and she saw his disembodied smile. “You’re doing brilliantly.” At his words, the tension building in her shoulders relaxed just a little.

“Yes, sire. Lord Ellarian tasked me with recovering an item of great value that was suspected to be with them. I followed them for days, to be sure that they did indeed have the item—your item. I used one of my stories to gain their trust. I pretended I was far from home, lost, and without means to provide for myself. They took me in?—”

“So easily?” Toroth interrupted sharply.

“No, sire. Some were deeply suspicious, but I ingratiated myself with the weakest of their members, those most susceptible to my story.” It made her heart hurt to speak of them so. As though it had all been a lie. Despite everything, they had taken her in, and she would not have survived without them. “It did take a couple of weeks to fully gain their trust, travelling with them, listening to their conversations, giving them small favours and reason to include me in their business. I did not get far, but far enough.”

“Then you took it?”

“Not quite, sire. Lord Ellarian was most insistent that I could not afford to fail. It was of utmost importance I not act too soon for fear of spooking them and losing your treasure forever. Besides which, I have neither magic nor strength to overcome the elf and his companions, some of whom are fearsome warriors.”

The king scoffed at that.

“When they fell soft on me, charmed by my vulnerability, I wormed my way into taking the night watch. After a few nights,I took the stone from under their noses and brought it to Lord Ellarian at once—or tried to, but the city guard intercepted me.”

The king laughed, a cold, mirthless bark. “I would not have thought it possible a scrawny thing like you could retrieve a treasure not even my entire Winged Kingsguard could find, yet here you are. Well, let it never be said that I do not reward those who are loyal to me. I have a gift for you, girl.” Toroth nodded to a servant, who walked up with a bundle in his arms.

Harper stood to receive it, awkwardly juggling the item in her arms.

“Open it.”

Harper unfolded the soft, grey fabric to reveal a thick cloak of a quality wool and weave, lined with delicate fur that would keep out any winter chill. The finely crafted silver clasp was a sigil matching her tunic—a mountain over trees and under stars.

“It is beautiful, sire,” she said in a hushed voice, not sure what else to say.

“I thank you for your boundless generosity. I am unworthy,” Dimitri whispered into her mind. She repeated the words to Toroth, who seemed satisfied at her humility.

“Do you know what the crest you wear means, girl?”

“No, sire.”

“You ought to know what you wear,” he said, frowning. “I shall have words with Lord Ellarian, who obviously does not educate his people properly.”

Harper winced, but Dimitrius’s voice was cool. “Don’t worry. I’ve been in worse trouble. I’ll be fine.”

Sorry, she thought, hoping he would hear it.

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