Page 22 of Embrace the Serpent

“I daresay many men would be delighted to know that the rumors are false.”

“I didn’t say that, either.”

“So a wedding date has been set?”

“What long ears you have, Master Galen—”

A crash came from the kitchen. Oh, Grims.

I hurried back, half-crouched, on tiptoes, to the kitchen.

At Grimney’s feet were the remains of a teacup. The handle was still pinched between his stone fingers.

“It’s all right,” I said. “No worries. I’ll just get another—”

Grimney lurched forward, blocking my hand.

Oh. My hands. Dark with fine metal dust and soot and whatever dust was on Galen’s worktable. I scrubbed them in the kitchen sink, where, under interrogation by hot water and lemony soap, a dozen new scrapes and cuts made themselves known. My nails went from dark gray to light gray, and that was as good as it would get.

I set the tray quickly and held it out to Grimney. “Here, it’s all good. You can take it out.”

He shook his head.

“Oh come on, please?”

“Gzlen grzzen.”

“I know he doesn’t like it, but it’s just this one time.”

Grimney wrung his hands until one of them popped off. He hid it guiltily behind his back.

Galen rang the bell.

I gave Grimney a dirty look—regretting it immediately when his lower lip trembled—and took the tray out.

“Here’s the tea,” Galen said cheerfully as I walked into the showroom. “How many sugars?”

“Two, thanks.” Mirandel said, flicking her long, glossy hair over one shoulder. “It’s just you, isn’t it? I hear you have no apprentices. Just an assistant?”

I poured the tea out and handed a cup to her without once meeting her gaze.

Galen said, “Yes, it’s just me. My dear Saphira takes care of me.” He patted my arm, and I nearly sloshed tea on his trousers. “And I have a golem for a cook.”

Mirandel laughed. “How eccentric.”

I moved away, standing by the door like a proper servant. My skin crawled where Galen had petted it. Since when was Imy dear?

“Well, I know why you’re here.” Galen stood and strode into his workroom, leaving the doors cracked just enough to offer Mirandel a peek.

She took it without shame, craning her neck from her seat. I stared at her through my eyelashes, waiting for her to move in for the kill, but she didn’t once glance my way.

Galen reappeared bearing a small box, which he opened with a small flourish, tilted just so to capture the light.

Her rings shone; the jewels in the serpents’ eyes gleamed and glittered.

Mirandel gasped and took them reverently. “Good gods, Galen. How did you have the time?”

“How could I not?” Galen said as he retook his seat. “If you hadn’t, Lady Incarnadine wouldn’t have given me such an opportunity.”

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