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My hair is down, something I rarely do since it always seems to get in the way. Larisa and Katya convinced me that all their work would be best showcased without my usual braid. Instead, one side is twisted around the back, pinned underneath the bulk of my long wavy hair, with white and pink Bougainvillea blossoms placed in its folds. I almost look like the lady Larisa originally thought I was.
Arguing voices greet me as I approach the doors.
“I can’t. Why in the Four Kingdoms would we come here to hurt House Santana? We’ve always had a respectful trade and relationship between Fort Lowsan and Turin,” I hear Captain Montgomery say as I enter.
He is sitting across from Tess and Liam, a full plate of food untouched in front of him. His expertly fitted dark jacket and pants blend perfectly with his neatly tousled hair, his blue eyes popping against the contrast.
Between him and Liam, I’m not sure who seems more red faced. “Is this a Montgomery talking or a Chattan- Sinclair?” Liam throws back, earning a glare from the captain.
“It’s all of us, Liam. None have a reason to go against you and your family!” Roan declares before the movement of me walking through the doors catches his eye.
He turns to look at me, and I feel his gaze peruse my new appearance, looking me up and down before resting on my face. If he approves of my new clothes he doesn’t show it. Otto sends a wink my way, while Aiden looks as if he has taken his first full breath of the night.
As I take in the Great Hall, I realize it is great indeed. The room is large enough to fit at least a hundred people. It is a perfect fusion of whites, grays, and earthy browns. The table is long enough for three or four people lay atop it without touching. It’s smooth surface has been painstakingly polished and sanded so a subtle shine emanates from the wood.
“Oh, Ari.” Tess stands, a wide smile crossing her face as she follows the captain’s attention to the door. “So nice of you join our little debate. Your companions could use the level-headedness of a woman on their side.” I walk toward them, noting the absence of Lord Santana.
A plate of food already prepared for me sits next to the captain. His stare never leaves my face, pulling out my chair for me as I get closer. I’ve never seen him quite so poised and proper. As I move past him the faint smell of fresh vanilla and woody citrus float around me. I unintentionally lean in to him to inhale more. His eyebrows raise ever so slightly as he marks the gesture, and I snap forward as I move to sit down.
Tess and Liam are situated at either end of the table, a rigid Aiden sitting to Tess’s right, sporting a well-tailored gray tunic. Otto is a cleaned version of himself and seems to be the only one eating— opting to engage with the meal in front of him instead of the squabble playing out with the rest of the group.
Tess follows my survey of the room. “I do apologize. My father can’t join us tonight. In all the excitement of seeing my old friend,” she gestures toward Roan, “I forgot he’s out of the city and won’t be back for a couple weeks.” The captain lets out an audible grunt. He clearly doesn’t believe in her selective memory.
“Your companions have told us they aren’t here to spy on us. But tell us, Ari,” Tess continues when I sit, her focus still resting on me. “If you aren’t here to observe and report on House Santana to the Crown, what could you possibly be doing in Fort Lowsan? Anything honorable would have been set forth ahead of time. And seeing as none of you have ties to our city, I have nothing else to conclude except something deceitful in nature.”
I don’t have a chance to answer before the captain opens his mouth. “For the last time— lives are at stake, Tess. The longer you keep us here, asking us the same questions that I already said we’re sworn by the Crown not to answer, the more responsibility you heft onto the shoulders of House Santana for the innocent you are jeopardizing.”
He leans forward against the table, resting his hands on either side of his plate, a deep grimace directed straight to the woman across from him. He ventures to even out his heated voice before continuing. “Please. We grew up together. If that meant anything to you, I implore you to let us go.” His eyes convey all the pleading he can muster.
“I liked you better before the prince died,” Liam says, straight-faced. Captain Montgomery clenches both fists atop the table, his jaw closed so tight at the remark that I wonder if any more pressure would shatter a few of his teeth.
Tess narrows her eyes at her brother, softening her gaze when she looks back to the captain. Is that pity in her eyes? I realize the prince is dead. The blanket of grief hanging over Turin for the last seven years is hard to miss. But what relationship did our captain have with that prince exactly?
Liam’s sister flicks her gaze to me. “Ari, maybe you can help us out. The others in your party keep moving us in circles. You say you aren’t here to spy and take back sensitive information to Turin. If you can’t tell us why you’re really here, how are we to believe that the former isn’t true?”
I may not know political tactics and those subsequent advantageous maneuvers, but sometimes telling part of the truth is enough of an appeasement when one doesn’t wish the other to know all their secrets. “I would say the former is, in fact, true. I am here to spy.” The captain turns toward me, eyes wide, tilting his head as his puzzled gaze searches me.
Tess leans in a little closer, while Liam scoffs. “I knew it. I told you, Tess. We can’t trust them!”
“What I mean is,” I interrupt, sending a glare toward Liam, “I am a thief and spy. Commissioned by the king’s sister, Lady Margaret, as a way of keeping Turin safe and functioning smoothly until Crown Princess Adalena can assume the throne.” The captain’s jaw falls as I give away my secret. “And in doing so, the whole of Felshan has also run more efficiently.” Part of the truth mixed with the idea that we are, technically, all united under one roof. Maybe playing the compatriot card will soften their distrust.
“And what have the Santanas done to warrant Lady Margaret’s eye, sending her spy to Fort Lowsan?” Liam has lost all of his former charm, his gaze now stern and cold as he looks at me.
“The Santanas have done nothing.” I do my best to hold a steady mask of calm composure as all eyes are now resting on me. “A palace guard has betrayed Lady Margaret, earning retaliation from his outraged former captain,” I wave a hand toward the man next to me, “and the sending forth of the lady’s most talented tool at her disposal.” I raise a finger pointing it back to myself.
My presumptuous comment earns a nod from the woman sitting across from me. Silence follows as the siblings contemplate my words, and I dare a glance at the captain, who doesn’t look as put out as I imagined he would be with me disclosing this information.
“I’m intrigued, Ari— commissioned thief and spy of Lady Margaret’s.” Tess’s attention flits between Captain Montgomery and myself. “I have an idea. A test, if you will. And, if you pass, you are all free to go.” Her light-hearted tone leaves me leery of her next words.
“What kind of test?” Aiden asks, resting an arm on the table, flicking a short glance my way.
Tess displays a mischievous smile, staring at Roan. “Do you remember Sir Crane?” The captain takes a deep inhale. “He owns a few orchards throughout Fort Lowsan,” she says, looking back in my direction. “There was a rumor that he siphoned an orange tree sapling from Venes, attempting to grow oranges up north. Our weather— it makes it difficult for an orange tree to grow. Which is why most of us in Fort Lowsan have never tried the sweet citrus fruits of Venes. Rarely do our people get to make the trip to Haythen’s southern country, and it’s difficult to keep the fruit from rotting before it’s transferred up here. So, you see, oranges are a delicacy up in these parts, Ari.”
Each time Tess says my name there’s a prominent gleam in her eye. She shifts, turning her sights once again to Captain Montgomery. He is still sitting beside me, one arm folded across across the table and the other supporting the side of his frowning face. All his attention is focused on Tess.
Where is she going with this? And why on earth are we talking about oranges? I just admitted to illicit behavior, and here we are learning about Haythen geography and agriculture. I’m trying to solve a puzzle that I neither have all the pieces for, nor a clear picture of what I’m trying to piece together in the first place.
Liam seems to have mastered the look of boredom mixed with the desire to slit someone’s throat, sitting lazily back in his chair and fiddling with a knife. Otto appears to be asleep in the corner, while Aiden is quietly searching between the faces of everyone gathered at the table, looking as confused as I feel.
