Page 45 of Unrivaled
Age of the Locways, Year 271
La’Angi Keep
Rain drops hurled themselves at the windows.I’d stopped noticing how dark the city was at night, crouched around the keep walls, but in the storm, it seemed particularly menacing.
The problem with gaps is that people filled them.I didn’t want these particular gaps being filled only with war-minded folks who held my father in high regard.
Blueprints were spread over my desk, but I peered through the rain, trying to imagine what those plans might look like in a decade as we glanced across the city.Would the plan for the gardens and marketplace be enough for our population?Or was I being too ambitious, making the walkways wastefully wide?
For a moment I lost myself to the fantasy of mossy paths, sunshine and spilling flowers.It would be closer to the docks than the keep.My mind drifted back to the day I’d walked along the dock with the Captain of the Siren’s Ally.Their thumbs had been hooked in their belt and they strode confidently along.
We’d really only talked about trade.A little about La’Angi’s projected needs for the summer.“What’s it like, living up there?”they’d asked me, nodding up at the keep standing grandly at the top of the cliff.
I couldn’t remember what I’d said.It hadn’t been a clever response, I knew that.But I could remember the way they’d listened.The Captain reminded me of myself, when I heard of far-off places.Fascinated, happy to explore, but not at all envious.
When I had a garden in the city, we could wander there instead.I could ask them about life on the waves, one day, when talk of trade was resting and I could do things for my own pleasure.
The fantasy was a sweet one.I blew out a breath and scrubbed a hand over my face, turning away from the window.The gardens were partially about making our city a nicer place to be, but they were mostly about creating jobs and incentivizing families to settle down.It made sense to prioritize the main market while trade was dead and disruption would be minimal.
I was confident in the gardens.I knew what plants would grow best.I knew what drainage and sun requirements were, I knew how terraced beds worked and what an efficient path would be.I didn’treallyknow markets.I’d learned what I could, but I didn’t have the years of accumulated knowledge the way I did with gardens.
A knock at my door and the sound of it opening made the fury flow.It had always been there.Chay had merely ripped off the bandage.
I drew in a deep breath, knowing the only person who didn’t wait to be called in.Sure enough, the jangle of his sword at his hip came, the sound burrowing into my brain and raking claws across my ability to focus.
He’d never told me why he’d done it, and I’d never ask again.I didn’t need a reason.It would change naught.
He’dknownhow he was distressing me.
He’d know what that meant for me.
“You’ve a guest, my lady,” he said.
I glanced at the bay, forcing myself to be pragmatic.I didn’t know how long until the Siren’s Ally would be back with news of the coastal villages.There were no other guests I cared about, especially after spending all day dragging my eyeballs over columns of figures and blueprints.
“Tell them to make a time tomorrow,” I told him, without looking.
“Audrey.”
The familiar voice made me turn, shocked.
Luca stood there, in the middle of the room.From nowhere.
There was no way he would’ve been allowed into the city.He’d come disguised, which explained the lack of announcement and his plain clothes.It didn’t explain his purpose, or how he’d got the angry purple scar on his jaw that was as wide and long as my smallest finger, trailing down toward his neck.
That scar hadn’t been there last time I’d seen him, and it was too fresh to have been healed by a mage.
Had it been there as he’d written that note to Chay?
“What happened?”I asked Luca.There was a note of anger in my voice, but it wasn’t for this man, who lived his life with his fingers stained by ink yet had somehow come halfway to getting his throat cut.Then… “Do you hold La’Rea still?”
“Of course.”He crossed to me, his expression softening like I was a puppy who’d finally made its way home.“I heard—but I needed to see you.”
He was right on top of me, his eyes the color of rocks and full of misguided worry.Over his shoulder, I saw Chay lounging by the door, watching.Anyone but Luca.That’s what he’d said.
He’d had the audacity to say that and speak no more on it?As if that was enough?You’ve got two legs and I can eat your pussy alongside anyone except Luca, until I get a note from the man and then I’ll make you feel like you’re a disgrace.
Unease twisted my belly and I lifted my chin.Why had I been sopatientwith that man?
