Page 40 of Embrace the Serpent

He noticed me? How? “I didn’t see you.”

He tapped his nose. “That’s ’cause I’m good at my job. Now, tell me, what’s the Serpent King been saying?”

“Nothing. He doesn’t want to talk at all.”

“Well,” he said. “Maybe that’s for the best.” He glanced meaningfully at the Imperial Guards.

“I don’t understand how we’ll be free—”

He put a finger to his lips.

I sighed. “You’re saying the same thing as him, you’re just using a lot more words.”

He gave me a lopsided smile. “We’re in this together, aren’t we?”

Were we? I took a bite of the flatbread so I didn’t have to answer.

He shook his upside-down helm, and a clattering came from within. “I got these for the little fellow. You think he’ll like them?” He tilted it at me so I could see.

A pile of desert rocks, scratching up the inside of his helm. My chest felt strange. Perhaps it was the nausea returning. “Grimney can’t be bribed,” I said.

He huffed a laugh. “You’ll tell me if you want anything, won’t you?”

I shrugged.

“You’re the Serpent King’s consort. There is a bright side. You can ask for anything, and someone will find a way to get it to you.”

I met his gaze. “You know what I want.”

I meant the shop and the new identity, but Rane startled as if I’d asked for his liver.

He pulled the collar of his uniform away from his neck. “Goodness, it’s hot. I’d better...” He gestured vaguely and left.

It was hot, I’d give him that. I finished up the flatbread and pocketed the ginger. He’d left his upturned helm at my feet, with the rocks. There was no point in wasting nice rocks. And Rane probably needed his helm.

I took it and glanced around, avoiding the assorted gazes of Incarnadine’s spies. Folks were watering and feeding the horses, some checking the wheels of the assorted carriages, others milling around.

Rane disappeared behind the Serpent King’s carriage. I went afterhim, but as I skirted the carriage’s backside, I caught a glimpse of silver and slowed my steps.

The Serpent King paced, stretching his long legs. He and Rane were with another huntsman who was tending to the horses.

The Serpent King said, “I can’t bear this much longer.”

Rane said, “All you have to do is sit with a lovely girl.”

“You are welcome to take my place.” He glared at Rane and then at the other huntsman. “Or you. Anyone.”

“You drew the straw, my friend,” the other huntsman said, and clapped his shoulder.

Great. I slunk back around and got in the carriage. I shook out Rane’s helm, and Grimney dove into the stones. He popped up, munching happily.

I propped my chin on my palm and watched him.

There was something beautiful about the way he’d rearranged himself. He’d kept all the most colorful and beautifully patterned rocks from his larger body, and there was something amazing about that. It was fanciful thinking—all the texts and all the great jewelsmiths said golems were a product of the orders that animated them. But sometimes I wanted to believe that Grimney was more than that.

“Grims, I think we made a mistake,” I whispered.

“Rzzpdch?”We couldrun?

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