Page 39 of Trapped By Clocks and Hearts

Allie tried to process the information, looking from Chez and back to me, then glancing back up at the frumpy form of the Duchess who had stalled whilst stepping off the precarious ladder.

The Duchess blew the blonde hair out of her eyes, her face crumpling up in complaint. “Dammit, Rabb. I am making it so easy for you. After all these years, will you not please kill me already?”

I was intimately familiar with her aggravated tone. It was combined with haggardness, an exhaustion that could only come from having had to do the same job all these years and centuries. And unfortunately for the Duchess, her only escape was the sweet release of death only an assassin’s hand could deliver.

Allie’s eyes were still round and wide. For a mortal, I supposed it was unheard of for someone to wish for death so ardently.

“You’ll have to forgive the Duchess,” Chez mewled to appease Allie. “She is given to histrionics.”

Letting out another disgruntled half-groan, half-sigh, the Duchess gave a wave of her hand, and with a pop, she appeared standing before me at the bar. Prim and proper, she adjusted the frills of her dress, and the curls of her blonde hair, her question directed at me. “And to what shall I attribute the honor of your presence here in my humble abode?” She met my even gaze with a raised eyebrow. “After so many unanswered invitations?”

My gaze slid over to Allie. “Chez,” I called out. “Why don’t you take Allie on a tour of the grounds first? I’m sure she’d love it.”

Allie jumped in her stance. “Oh, no, I’m sure I’d rather stay.”

“But I’m sure you’d love to go,” I insisted, giving her a narrow-eyed look. “Go. Love it.”

Allie gave me an indignant look.

With an almost mock ridicule, I met her gaze evenly. Did she think she had any more cards to play? If she threw a fit right then, I would have the Duchess toss her in the cellar.

Chez blinked at me, then Allie, then me again. “Right. Hey Allie,” he coaxed, leaping off the bar and walking toward the door. “Let’s leave these two long-separated love birds to catch up first. For sure, the sight of them canoodling together is not something you’ll want filling in those memories.”

That brought a look of distaste on Allie’s face.

“You’ll come back right in time for supper, my darlings.” The Duchess waved them away, beaming a pleased smile. “Oh, and if you spot my little pet running around the grounds, would you be a dear and grab it for me?”

Allie had that curious look on her face again. “What sort of pet do you have?”

“Oh, it might look like a pig. Or a baby.”

Allie’s eyebrows shot up at the oddity. “Oh. Right. Of course. Sure, that makes sense.”

I couldn’t help a scoff at the critical look on her face. “Just because it doesn’t make sense to you doesn’t mean it doesn’t make sense at all.”

Sticking her tongue out at me, Allie butchered an awful curtsy before turning on her heel to leave.

I sighed. I couldn’t quite figure out why Allie’s criticisms of Wünder as being nonsense always struck me as personally offensive but they did.

“Are you going to start bringing your women across the river now?” The Duchess’s arm slinked around mine. “Or did you have something special in mind on this occasion?” Her eyes twinkled as she spoke. “You know I’ve been longing for your company.”

“The river makes it tricky to visit, as you well know.” I set my glass down.

Turning to face me, the Duchess walked her fingers up my chest as she leaned in, overwhelming me with her powdery dogwood scent. “Your clothes are all wet.”

I pushed her away.

Staggering back, she pouted. “You’re no fun anymore, Rabb.”

“You’ll have to excuse me then. It’s certainly no fun being with someone who tries to get me to kill them. I would never have cause to kill you as the Queen would never command it.”

“The Queen can shove it,” she bit out. “Just because she holds our leash doesn’t mean we can’t do what we want.”

I didn’t respond. Had the Queen commanded me to end the Duchess’s life, I wouldn’t have hesitated. But the Duchess’s work was integral to keeping the Queen in power. Nobody else in Wünder was ever able to harm her. Except maybe me.

She let out another labored sigh. “Well then, why don’t we just cut to the chase and you tell me why you are here.”

Wholly unaccustomed to what I was about to say, I pursed my lips in hesitation first. “I…need your help.” Even saying the wretched words brought a stitch to my chest.