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“No, we can’t.”
Kieran held my stare, then looked down at Poppy. “Does she know the truth about Shea?”
I shook my head.
“You ever going to tell her?” he asked.
“I will.”
“She’s not going to judge you.” He moved his thumb over her knuckles as his gaze rose to meet mine. “If anyone understands, I think it will be her.”
“I know.” I tipped my head back against the wall. “It’s just…that’s something she needs to be awake to learn.”
Kieran was quiet for a moment. “I still can’t believe you were with her in the Red Pearl.” He laughed quietly. “Shocked the hell out of me.”
“You and me both.”
He grinned, and a little bit of silence seeped into the chamber. It wasn’t bad like before. I was a little more relaxed with Kieran here, knowing that everyone was doing everything they could to give Poppy time.
Time.
It made me think of how my plans had begun to snap into motion after the Red Pearl.
My mind went to what had followed the meeting at the Red Pearl. I thought of the good man who’d had to die. The innocents who’d been slaughtered. The bad ones who needed to be punished.
And the bravery of a Maiden.
EMPTY GARDEN
The Maiden had not gone into the garden the previous night, nor had she been in the shadowy alcoves this morning while I trained. No doubt her late-night…adventures explained her absence. She didn’t realize I knew who she was, but I imagined she’d do her best to avoid me.
However, that would soon change—hell, it should’ve changed already.
But our plans got delayed when I received word from Jericho that she hadn’t shown in the garden just before dusk.
What had prevented her from going into the garden?
Had she been caught upon her return to the castle? I didn’t think so. Jansen hadn’t mentioned it when I saw him earlier. He would’ve heard if the Maiden had gotten herself into trouble and relayed the information to me.
I tore my attention from the ancient willow. The damn thing fascinated me. Atlantia had none of those trees that I could recall. Stars blanketed the sky as I walked the castle’s inner wall, scanning the grounds below. Impatience made my skin as tight as hunger did. The garden was empty, and it shouldn’t be. The only signs of life were in the courtyard near the stables, where Lieutenant Smyth currently berated a group of guards for something as irrelevant as unpolished boots. As if the Craven or any other enemy would notice someone’s footwear.
My attention flicked to the white mantle draped around Commander Jansen’s shoulders. He stood with a few Royal Guards outside one of the halls. The doors were open, the bright light shining out. From the wall, I could see groups of servants huddled together. That wasn’t something I saw often. The Teermans were notoriously demanding when it came to their servants. If one wasn’t actively busy, they knew to appear as if they were. None simply stood around.
Something had occurred.
A tall, dark-haired figure strode out from the hall, dressed in all black. My eyes narrowed as I gave the male’s pale, handsome features a once-over. I didn’t know much about this Lord, but I knew his name.
Lord Mazeen.
And he wasn’t alone.
The equally dark-haired Duchess Jacinda Teerman walked beside him, dressed in some frock of cyan blue. The Ascended was beautiful, no one could deny that, and when she smiled, she almost looked mortal. Alive. Compassionate. She was better at faking than most. Nearly as good as their Blood Queen, but her eyes were as cold and soulless as the rest. Three Royal Guards followed them.
I came down the inner steps, keeping to the shadows of the wall as the Duchess and Lord Mazeen reached the group near the door. Jansen and the others bowed, the former’s movements stiff. I smirked, slipping behind a wide pillar on the main-level breezeway. I didn’t have to get too close to hear them.
“We’ve searched the entire grounds, Your Grace. As His Grace requested,” Commander Jansen said as I leaned against the cool stone. “We have found no signs of a Descenter or an intruder of any type.”
They were looking for a Descenter? I knew Jericho hadn’t been spotted. He would’ve alerted me if that were the case.
“Someone must have been here,” the Duchess said as the Lord hung back, her voice deceptively soft. “That neck didn’t break itself.”
Behind her, the Lord let out a low laugh.
“I would think not,” Jansen replied, his tone all politeness and professionalism. “But no one saw anything. We’ll question those assigned to the main floor once more, but I doubt their answers will change.”
“Descenters are as clever as they are violent, Commander Jansen. You know this.” She looked up at the Commander, her hands clasped primly at her stomach. “We could have them working among us right now, as our guards or in our home.”
