“Wonderful.” My friend studies me. “It will beallright. I know it doesn’t seem so, but everything will work out in the end.”
“Sure. But we need to be very careful about who we include in this.”
Maida shrugs, releasing me. “It’s your circus. You’re the Ringmaster.”
“Only the peopleIsay,whenI say.”
“Understood, my liege. I’d never dream of stepping on your toes.”
I nod. Try to dismiss the clawing anxiety. “Have I thanked you yet for helping me with this crazy caper? On top of generally being my bedrock.”
“Only nine or ten times.”
“Good to know you’ve kept count.” I tie the ribbon Bibi brought me around her wrist. “I mean it, though. I’d be lost without you.”
Both hands go to my shoulders, and she touches her forehead to mine. Her voice drops to a murmur. “Well, it was a strange day indeed when I realized I simply had no choice but to rescue a Succubus and her Thrall from utter despair.”
I pull away, looking this way and that. But we’re still alone in our spot between the large greenhouses and laundry lines. Shaking my head, I laugh. “You are the best friend I could have asked for. I don’t tell you that enough.”
“Does that mean you’re going to quit this pointless sulking and loosen up? I don’t know about you, but afterthat, I need another drink.”
Laughing again, I dab unshed tears from my eyes.
Kael and Autry have left the shadows. Join the festivities. The blacksmith’s apprentice juggles five of his red balls to the drunken delight of two betrothed girls. Seated on the Waymark’s benches, they’re watching him in awe and barely holding each other up.
Kael gives a whoop and catches another girl as she stumbles. “Watch your step there, love.” He scoops her into his arms as her legs collapse beneath her weight. “Off to bed with ya then.” He nods when he passes us.
Maida and I are heading to the refreshment table when two more betrothed girls catch my eye. Hand-in-hand, they giggle and sway toward the Gallery together. Abruptly stop to exchange a passionate kiss in the open. One girl’s hand sweeps the other’s hair from her shoulder, exposing her neck.
“Hey.” Giving a low whistle, I jog up. “Weren’t you told to keep it contained to your quarters tonight?”
They mumble something incoherent. Talk over each other and laugh again, the drunker of the two not quite focusing her eyes.
I rejoin Maida after pointing them in the right direction. “Deirdre’s got it down to an art. I’ll give her that,” I mutter. “The longest-lasting effects are just wearing off.”
“Still can’t believe I was blind to it for so long.” Maida shakes her head.
“You saw things here and there. But you have a good and trusting heart.”
“A naive heart, I fear.”
“Not because you’re foolish. Because you’re too good and kind to assume anyone is otherwise. And Deirdre would always keep your cup full and your mind distracted on nights like this.”
“True enough, I suppose.” Voice unsteady, my friend motions us toward the refreshments. “A full cup sounds merciful right about now.”
Chapter 39
Itissa
When the clock tower strikes 23:00, the music ceases. The handmaidens clean and pack their instruments away while Imogen gets twirled around to her heart’s content by Sadrie.
“Three more spins. Are you ready?” The blonde’s voice carries in the ringing silence after the music.
“Yes!” Bouncing at the knees, Imogen giggles and places her hand in Sadrie’s again.
Warmth rushes in my chest. Perhaps it’s only the celebration, but for once I feel just alittlebit at home. Wanting to lingerin the feeling, I smile and watch Sadrie spin the handmaiden around by her hand.
That’s when the sensation of strange eyes watching me sinks in. Turning around, I scan the courtyard and flinch.Where have you been hiding?
