Page 31 of Poison Nights & Twilight Alchemy

Reed’s shoulders shook with laughter, and Dulce bit her lip to keep from falling into a giggle spell herself.

The faun glanced up as they approached his desk. “Welcome,” he spoke in a deep voice. “How may I help you?”

“We’d like your finest room.” Dulce placed a handful of coins on the desk. “I’m unsure of the length of our stay, but this should cover a week, I’m sure. My husband and I are on our honeymoon, you see, and are traveling across the territories.”

“This is the perfect place for you then.” He drew open a drawer and passed her a golden key once she signed the registryMr. and Mrs. Jones Tayloras Reed had at the Black Fox. “Second floor. Room 214. Our dining room is available to guests at all hours, and on the third level, you will find ballrooms and gardens, and in the lower basement level the gambling spaces, if you’re looking for more entertainment. Before I forget, here is an invitation to the Duke’s annual party. Everyone is welcome.”

“Oh! Thank you,” Dulce exclaimed. “Sweetheart, look! A festival, what fun.”

Reed didn’t have to feign surprise this time. “Itsounds grand.”

Dulce walked beside Reed down a long hallway, where black and scarlet masks hung. Some full faces, others only half.

They descended a curving staircase and found their room as soon as they took the last step. Inside, the enormous space held two lavish beds draped in dark silk blankets, gossamer curtains covering glass doors leading out to a balcony draped in vines. A wardrobe stood in one corner across from a writing desk.

“I like this place better already,” Reed announced, placing their luggage beside the bed.

“Are you sure something isn’t lurking down there?” Dulce said, and when he glanced uneasily at the furniture, she added, “I’m only jesting.”

“I’ll owe you for that.” He winked.

She could only imagine what he meant by his response and changed the subject to more pressing matters. “So, I’m contemplating where we should start. Any ideas?”

“Easy answer.” He ticked his finger in the air. “The gambling room. It’s a place where gossip slips from the tongue and questions can be asked without appearing suspicious.”

“See?” She grinned. “It’s most advantageous having you here as my dear husband.”

Reed slowly trailed a finger across his lower lip. “I take it you don’t know anything about cards?”

“Not a thing.” That was something she’d never been taught by her mother, but now Dulce wished she’d learned a game or two herself. The only cards she knew were the ones Vesta used for fortune-telling.

“Come on, pretty wife.” Reed offered her his armwith a grin. “Let’s go downstairs, and I’ll teach you a round.”

She folded her arm around his, the sense of familiarity with this gesture already becoming.

He opened the door, and she followed him through the establishment and down to the basement, where a smoke-filled tavern was already crowded.

At least twenty tables took up the area. A middle-aged woman served drinks in silver steins behind a bar, and the musicians playing drums of painted skins and flute-like instruments sat in gnarled branches, their music drifting through the room. It was an experience she’d never witnessed in Moonglade.

Reed stopped before a table where one chair stood vacant, and two older men and a young creature with three small horns occupied themselves playing a game of cards.

“Hello, gentlemen, may we join you?” Reed asked, already sliding the lone chair back.

“If you have coin to lose,” one of the older men with a long gray beard grunted, and they all laughed.

Dulce glanced around to find a spare chair, but Reed drew her into his lap as he sank down, settling an arm around her waist, making her heart beat merrily like bat wings. “My wife wants to learn to play.”

At least Dulce wouldn’t have to pretend ignorance at the game. Draping her arm around Reed’s shoulders, she declared, “After a few rounds, perhaps I won’t be as abysmal.”

“You’ll get the hang of it,” the creature said with a smile. He shuffled the cards before passing them around the table to each person. “Or not!” and they all laughedagain, including Reed.

“Oh, I see how it is,” she pouted in a teasing manner.

Reed’s thumb caressed her hip bone as he nuzzled into her neck. “My wife will do just fine.”

As the men played, Reed bought the trio more drinks, explaining the rules to her, and Dulce easily caught on. Mostly she knew when Reed was bluffing because she could see his hand, but the other players had their own tricks too.

Once they completed their fifth round, Reed winning four hands, he asked, “Have any of you ever heard of La Bisou Morte, a witch who works for the Duke? I was told she might live here. My new wife has an ailment we’re hoping to find a cure for while on our honeymoon.”

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