Page 64 of Only Cold Depths
While Vesper and Asterin headed over to the refreshment tables, I did a lap around the perimeter of the dome, studying all the people smiling, talking, laughing, drinking, and dancing. Lord Aldrich and Lady Verona might be using us as bait, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t go hunting on my own terms. If Esmina and Pollux showed up, then I wanted to spot them before they spotted Vesper.
More than one person eyed me as I stalked past, and whispers trailed along in my wake.
“That looks like Kyrion Caldaren . . .”
“Why would he be here . . .”
“House Collier must be offering him sanctuary from the Imperium . . .”
Many of the Erztonians recognized me, and some pulled out their tablets, their fingers flying over the screens, while a few of the bolder lords and ladies snapped photos. I grimaced. It wouldn’t be long before news of my and Vesper’s attendance hit the local gossipcasts, but everyone at the Collier estate already knew we were on Sygnustern, so there was no point in hiding.
Sooner or later, one of the Regal gossipcasts would pick up the story, which would eventually make its way to Callus Holloway. No doubt, the Imperium ruler would immediately start formulating a plan to wrest Vesper and me away from the Colliers’ protection, but that was a problem for tomorrow. Tonight I needed to find Esmina and Pollux, figure out why they were targeting Vesper, and eliminate them.
I didn’t spot the mercenaries among the gossiping crowd, and eventually, I ended up right back where I’d started, beside the holoscreen displaying Asterin’s name. No one had entered their information on her screen, although several names had been typed in on the surrounding screens, even though those lords and ladies didn’t have nearly as many mineral rights and mines. Curious. With her resources and connection to House Collier, Asterin should have been one of the shining stars of Erzton society, but instead, she was as unwanted as a lump of coal on winter solstice morning.
“My poor stepsister can’t even bribe someone to court her,” a familiar voice drawled.
Siya sashayed over to me. She scanned the other screens around Asterin’s, and her nostrils flared with a mixture of anger and disgust, almost as if she was offended on Asterin’s behalf.
“Asterin is a lovely person,” I said, defending my friend. “Smart, strong, capable, kind, generous. Any lord, Regal, Erzton, or otherwise, would be lucky to court her.”
Siya tilted her head, although I couldn’t tell if she was agreeing or not. “Care for a drink?”
I eyed the clear crystal mugs in her hands. Each one was filled with a dark brown liquid topped with a thick layer of frothy white foam. “Is it poisoned?”
An amused chuckle erupted from her lips. “Sadly, no. You are under my father’s protection, so I can’t poison you. Besides, I would never stoop to such weak tactics. I would kill you myself, Arrow.”
“Good to know, Hammer.”
I took the mug, then toasted her with it. Siya returned the gesture, and we downed our drinks.
The frothy white foam misted down my throat like marshmallow-flavored frost, but it was quickly followed by a tide of intense dark chocolate, along with a hint of raspberries and a tang of blood orange.
“This is delicious. Are you certain it’s not poisoned?”
Siya laughed at my dry humor. “It’s Frozon hot chocolate, a specialty of the House Collier chefs.”
I sipped the wonderful drink and ambled along the wall, looking at the minerals, models, and other objects. Siya sipped her own drink and matched my steps, and for once the silence between us was comfortable rather than hostile.
“You handled yourself well during the shipping yard attack,” Siya said. “You cut through those mercenaries with your stormsword like they were plastipaper targets.”
“And you did the same with your war hammer. I’ve never seen Hammers fight in person. Your squad is very impressive. Well trained and well disciplined.”
She tipped her head, accepting the compliment, and we kept ambling along.
“Where is your holoscreen and list of resources?” I asked.
“I don’t have one.”
“Why not?”
“Because someday I will be the head of House Collier. All the assets of all the major Houses are public record and very well documented. Anyone who decides to court me will knowexactlywhat they’re getting.” A rueful smile curved Siya’s lips. “I’m in the rare position of being able to choose a match for love, unlike many of the Erzton nobles.”
“In other words, you don’t need anyone else’s money, mineral rights, or mines since you have plenty of your own.”
Siya’s smile widened, and humor danced in her hazel eyes. “Something like that.”
“Asterin doesn’t have that same luxury?”
