Page 43 of A Court So Dark
I did as she instructed, feeling robotic in my movements. “What’s the matter?” I whispered under my breath.
“We’re being followed.”
“Shit.”
“It’s Varamede Elis.”
“Double shit.” All the baubles on display blurred in my vision. “What do we do?”
“I… I…” Larina sounded more nervous than I felt.
Words began pouring out of my mouth of their own accord. “Can you fly ahead without being noticed?”
“Yes, I think so. Why?”
“We need to warn Kryn. Go and tell him I can’t meet him in the tavern. Tell him to…” I glanced around at the different stores that lined the path, trying to look as casual as possible. Then I spotted just the place a few stores across the street. “Tell him to go into that dress shop instead. I’ll meet him when I shake Varamede off.”
As someone walked behind me, Larina jumped off my shoulder and took a ride on a stack of boxes the person was carrying. Taking a deep breath, I walked into the shop and spent a few minutes looking at expertly designed bracelets, earrings, and necklaces.
I had no money, however, so my charade of shopping wasn’t quite going to work, was it? As I left the shop, I surreptitiously glanced about, trying to spot Varamede, but I saw no sign of him. Clearly, he was a better spy than me.
Meandering slowly, I only allowed myself to look at the dress shop out of the corner of my eye. When I perceived a male hooded figure slipping through its door, I knew it had to be Kryn. That or a very burly lady who needed a gown for an upcoming ball. My vote was on the former.
I took my time making my way there, appearing like someone who had all the time in the world. I saw no sign of Varamede, and I had no idea if I’d shaken him off. Probably not, but I had to talk to Kryn.
Seeing no other choice, I went into the shop, my eyes roving all around. I spotted the hooded figure in the back of the room. I started walking in his direction. His back was turned to me, and for an instant, I feared I’d made a mistake, then the figure turned slightly, and I caught a lock of bright red hair just Kryn’s shade.
Stopping near a shelf with an assortment of embroidered bodices, I spoke in a low whisper. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Not the most likely place for a meeting,” he said in one of his usual grumpy tones.
I noticed he was standing in front of a basket full of what looked like intimate garments. Larina was standing next to it, quiet as a mouse.
“I think the crimson-colored one with the lace would look good on you.” I pointed at a pair of underpants.
“Ha-ha,” was his only dry response.
“Is everyone all right?”
He nodded once. “We tried to come back for you, but we couldn’t transfer into the palace—not even with Kalyll’s token.”
“Thanks for trying. Naesala said Cardian had her put a blocking spell on the entire Vine Tower. She decided it was okay to do it since it served my plan.”
“Are you sure you can do this, Dani? Are you sure you’re safe? Kalyll will kill us if something happens to you.”
“I’m all right. I promise.”
“We were surprised to hear from a puck that you wanted to see us. We thought it might be a trap set by Cardian, but then he showed us the brooch. Here.” He offered it back.
I snatched it and quickly slipped it under the folds of my dress. It had been hard parting with it, but I’d suspected the Sub Rosa might need proof that the message truly came from me. I was glad to have the brooch back, though.
“So what is this all about?” Kryn asked.
We hadn’t dared send more than a brief message through Shadow’s network. The sprite had said she trusted her people, but one never knew who might be captured and tortured for information.
I reached into one of the many pockets of my dress and surreptitiously placed a small drawstring bag on the shelf with the bodices.
“This is a potion Naesala made,” I said. “Drink it. It will change your appearance for a day or so.”
