Page 111 of The Threadbare Queen

If some of her friends from Fernwell were here, looking for her, she might recognize their livery on the saddles stored in the stable’s tack room.

She ate as she walked, slipping around pedestrians, listening out for any talk that might help her.

There were a few conversations about the Rising Wave’s victory at Fernwell, some speculation about whether the Kassian defeat would mean the Grimwaldian border would open to foreigners again, but nothing that told her who might be waiting for her in town; friend or foe.

As she got closer, she caught sight of someone walking from the tavern toward the big, open double doors of the stable entrance, and stumbled to a stop, heart hammering in her chest.

Deni?

Could it be?

She heaved in a quick breath so sharp her heart hurt and stumbled the first few steps as she followed him.

The inside of the stable was well-lit, the open doors making the entrance light and big windows along the outside wall letting in the afternoon sun.

They illuminated the long line of stalls, the clean floor, and the neat rows of equipment hanging from hooks.

Deni had walked to the fourth stall down and was leaning in, a carrot on his outstretched palm.

Ava stopped for a moment and felt some of the weight on her shoulders lift a little.

General Ru had not just sent anyone, she had sent Deni.

One of the few people who knew her secrets.

She wondered if Oscar were here, too, and felt her throat close as emotion swamped her.

For the second time tonight she brushed away a tear, but this time it was from happiness.

A low murmur of voices came from the tack room to her left—the stable workers, no doubt, relaxing in their office.

There was no one else near the horses other than Deni, and Ava made her way over to him.

Something about the way he leaned on the stall door, and the weariness on his face, made her think he was carrying a heavy weight.

“Deni.” She used a whisper, standing far enough away from him that he wouldn’t get a fright at a disembodied voice in his ear. “It’s Ava.”

He got a fright, anyway, dropping the carrot before his horse could take it, and spinning around to face her, eyes darting everywhere.

“I’m invisible. And think I should stay that way in public.” She still could hardly believe how good it was to see him.

“Avasu?” He spoke on a sigh, as if in relief.

“It’s me.” She stepped closer, and he held out his arms. As soon as she was close enough to touch, he hauled her in, squeezing her hard.

She squeezed back. “I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you, my friend.”

“When did you—?” He stopped short, stepping back and looking around. “Follow me to my room. We can talk there.”

He led the way back across the open courtyard, through a side door to the tavern that bypassed the main tap room, taking them up a narrow staircase to the upper floor, to a long passage with doors on either side.

Deni stopped outside one of them, hand raised, and then lowered it and turned in her direction. “Taira is with me. You’ll have to take off whatever is making you invisible before I call her.” He kept his voice soft, and moved on to the next door along and opened it.

Ava slipped passed him, and once she was inside, pulled her cap off.

Deni made a sound in the back of his throat at the sight of her and hugged her close again, then turned back toward his door to fetch Taira.

“Wait.” Ava reached out and put a hand on his arm. “It would be better if I travel with you wearing this.” She held up the hat. “That would mean explaining to Taira—”

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