Page 91 of The Dragon and the Dove

Chapter 22 Ransom

Ransom didn’t bother waiting for Val to return from her interrogation in the cloakroom. Whatever she had gleaned about Theo Versini, he already knew in his gut. The Shadowsmith couldn’t be trusted. Not after the Appoline. Not with Sera’s life hanging in the balance. But there was, he hoped, a Versini at House Armand who could help him.

He found her pacing in the garden. It was dark by then, the moon just a sliver in the star-flecked sky.

He called across the grass. ‘Can I speak with you?’

Paola turned at the sound of his voice. Her frown tightened. ‘As long as you keep your shadows where I can see them.’

He hadn’t even noticed the dark leaking from him. More and more, it seemed his magic had a will of its own.

‘Sorry,’ he said, shoving it back down.

‘I trust you haven’t killed my nephew.’

‘Not yet.’ A bland smile. ‘Though of the two of us, I’d say he has the better shot.’

She hmm’d, looking past him.

He came towards her. ‘I need a favour, Paola. It’s no small ask.’

Her eyes narrowed, but she let him go on.

‘You don’t know me well. But you know Seraphine. And that means you know my heart.’

‘Poetic,’ she remarked, wryly.

He went on. ‘She’s at Bellevue Castle. Whatever dark plans Andreas has for her are likely already in motion. I need to get to her before it’s too late.’

‘Agreed,’ she said at once. ‘We can’t afford to lose her.’

The pragmatism in her statement rankled him. But it was not unfair. Apart from anything else, Seraphine was the head of their Order, the leader of their movement. She was the dove of Fantome. Without her, there would be no one to rally behind. No more good-hearted saints. No hope. No peace. Paola was smart enough to know that.

‘How can I help?’

Relief trickled through him. ‘I’m going after her tonight. If you come with me, we’ll get there in half the time.’

Her brows knitted. ‘As much as I’d love to sprout wings and take flight, I’m no Strix.’

‘But you can ride,’ he said. ‘Seraphine says you’re the fastest rider in Halbracht. That you spent three years training stallions in Frederic’s Rest.’ A farming town not far from Bellevue. ‘You’ve lived in the east plains. You know it better than anyone else here. And you can get there quicker.’

‘You want me to ride?’

Aside from stealing and mounting a Strix, there was no faster way to Bellevue.

‘I want you to take me,’ he said. ‘Get me within arrow-shot of Bellevue Castle, and I’ll do the rest.’

‘And what’s your plan exactly?’

‘Death,’ he said bluntly. ‘To anyone who stands between me and her.’

She frowned. ‘It needs work.’

‘We’ll firm it up on the way.’

She hesitated, glancing up at the house. ‘When do you plan to leave?’

‘Ideally, ten minutes ago,’ he said.