Page 9 of Untempered
“If it’s because of those men,” she said, the words as brisk as her movements as she raised the comb again, “I have their measure.”
I wondered what it cost her to say that as she started in on the knots in my hair, her strokes a balance of speed and precision. Gentleness didn’t come into it, with Isolde. But neither did false niceties.
My sudden need to escapewaspartially because of the roving band of unwashed, horse-scented louts we’d had the misfortune to run into who’d identified Isolde accurately as Matri’sion. But it was also because of the man who waited for me, his nose in a book, his head in the clouds.
I was supposed to marry him in less than a season.
I couldn’t do it. And yet, I couldn’t leave. The thought made my head feel too full, and my knees wanted to give way. But I had to do something.
Doing nothing was, in a way, a choice.
“We’ll discuss it later,” Isolde murmured, quieter. “We can leave tonight, though, if that’s what you want.”
The offer made the bottom drop out of my belly. I wriggled my toes in the rug to remind myself I was still attached to this world. “No.” Not tonight. I couldn’t. I wasn’t ready. But soon. I knew it had to be soon.
She had her tribe to return to. She’d waited so long. I thought of Storm and Vixen, hopefully sleeping now, safe in their stalls. My heart ached with all of my mistakes.
I didn’t tell Isolde that, though. I’d just be reprimanded for considering them such. “Too many people.”
She made a noise I didn’t try to decipher and said, “That’ll do. Let’s get you ready.” Which, knowing Isolde, could’ve meant anything.
* * *
Luca’s facelit up like a hound spotting its dinner when he saw me, and I hated that he made me feel even more tired.
“You’ve bright eyes today, Audrey,” he said, offering me his arm with a small bow and kind smile. The velvet of his doublet was soft beneath my hand, and the stones cool beneath my aching feet. We were going to be late, but hopefully not later than my father.
“Have you heard of the trial they’re running in one of the mining districts in the South?”
“Not as yet.” I resisted the urge to glance around for listening ears, but couldn’t help but drop my voice to a murmur. Trust Luca to talk openly about the South.
At least he followed my lead, dipping his head a little closer to mine. His steely eyes sparkled as if it were a game. “It’s good news. They’ve built machines to draw the water out of mines, so there might be fewer cave-ins.”
I smiled and squeezed his arm, keeping the motion light so I didn’t hurt him. “How are they powered?” I asked, quietly, nodding in greeting to a visiting merchant I recognized but couldn’t name and ignoring the unease coiling in my belly. As long as he didn’t say the South again, we should be safe to discuss the topic.
“Steam,” he said, smile widening as if I’d confirmed his suspicions. “And magework.”
I frowned at this a little. “Don’t they have to mine the coal to heat the water to make the steam?”
“They’re starting with the coal mines,” he agreed, still smiling. “They estimate that only thirty percent of the coal will be needed to fuel the furnaces to run the pumps.”
“Efficient,” Isolde said sweetly from her place behind me. “Think of all the lives that will be saved.”
I shot her a warning look, knowing her honey-coated tones masked her sarcasm, even if Luca didn’t. Magework was worth a lot more than coal, and that sort of design would be patented to the King. They’d be paying for the privilege of mining in slightly less dangerous conditions for decades, I had no doubt. “I’m sure it’s one of many such changes,” I said to Isolde, warningly.
Luca put his hand over mine, patting it comfortingly. “I’m sure, too,” he agreed. “I hope we get some time to talk further tonight. I’ve missed you, my sweet.”
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Isolde’s smile widen even further, her eyes as flat as the drawings of the mythical sirens in the deep who lured men to their deaths.
Entirely unaware of the danger he was in, Luca chuckled knowingly beside me. “Just a few more weeks and you won’t need to worry about anyone overhearing us speaking so.”
I’m going to break his heart.
I pushed the thought aside as we reached the Great Hall. I had a role to play, and Luca would forgive my poor manners for tonight. After that…well, soon I wouldn’t be his problem.
We didn’t need to be guided to our seats, but we were anyway. My father’s huge, throne-like chair was empty for now, and the relief that washed through me made my head spin. Still, the moment I’d sat down, the readiness hummed again in my flesh.
He would appear. I would manage his demands. Then I could leave.
