I was almost starting to believe it, myself.
I didn’t realize how long I’d stood staring until Penny’s brow crinkled in concern.
“Kit?”
I wanted to tell him. I wanted to telleveryone, but the moment wasn’t right. Not yet.
I gave his hood one last tug and smiled. “I’m glad you’re all right.”
We stepped out into the icy morning, and I missed the excuse we’d had the day before to have Penny tucked under my arm. But we kept close, our shoulders nearly touching, as we headed for the town square.
We didn’t make it halfway down the lane before Levitt appeared around the corner further on, heading our way. He waved and picked up his pace to meet us in the middle.
“Morning, Levitt,” I said. “I was just on my way to see you.”
As he looked us both over, his worried expression eased into a smile. “I got concerned when you didn’t stop by yesterday. Is everything all right?”
“Fine, just tired. Didn’t expect to sleep so long, but we needed it.” I gestured at the road to the square. “I was going to walk Penny to the market on my way to the Ossuary, if you don’t mind.”
Levitt glanced between us, and then back at the house. “I thought maybe we could speak here. It’s a bit more private.”
“I can walk myself,” Penny offered. “I’ll make breakfast when I get back.”
I tucked my hands behind my back to keep myself from reaching for him, even just for a parting touch.
“Thanks, Pen. Don’t be long?”
I could practically see the urge to lean in and kiss me cross Penny’s mind when his eyes flicked to Levitt, but he stepped away instead. “I won’t be.”
Back at the house, I left Levitt in the entryway while I got a fire started in the hearth. Once it was built up enough to chase away the chill in the air, I settled on the couch and motioned for him to sit.
He tugged off his cloak and produced a slim, brown paper wrapped package from under his arm. “This came in the morning of the third Oath.” He held it out to me. “I’m sorry I didn’t have time to bring it by then.”
I took it from him almost reverently, testing its heft in my hands. “It’s heavier than I thought it would be.”
“Artisan quality from Stagcross, as you requested.”
He sank onto the cushion beside me, and I felt his eyeson me as I ran pinched fingers along the edges of the book hidden inside.
When I looked up, he was watching me with a gentle smile.
“Thank you,” I told him. “I couldn’t have managed this without your help.”
Ashpoint didn’t have access to much in the way of novelty. The goods available for sale in the market were widely utilitarian, more about function than form, and often leaned heavily toward rustic. So, when I’d gone on the hunt for something a bit more discerning and had lamented my poor luck at finding anything suitable, Levitt suggested I look outside of our isolated community.
He was sending a man up north to check on some of Ashpoint’s interests there, he’d said, and would be happy to facilitate finding what I was looking for somewhere along his route. It was my luck that he’d be passing through Stagcross both ways, and I knew the craftsmen there would do justice to my request. I’d done my small part by putting my meager leatherworking skills to good use, then sent it off with instructions, coin, and a prayer.
I knew it would be worth the wait.
Levitt folded his cloak in his lap. “I hope Penny realizes how lucky he is.”
I chuckled. “Pretty sure I’m the lucky one, Lev.” Guilt twinged in my chest as soon as the words left my mouth and I realized how he might take them given our last conversation after the house raid.
“On the topic of books…” I set the package on the coffee table, more than ready to redirect the conversation. “Have you gotten any updates from Fletcher on when he’ll be done with my father’s journals?”
Levitt shook his head. “There’s a lot to go through. Hewasn’t sure how long it would take the last time we spoke, but I can follow up with him again.”
“I appreciate it,” I said. “I’ll feel better when they’re back here where they belong, and safely out of Merrick’s reach. Considering all the places that my father implicated him in the commission of his crimes, I wouldn’t put it past Merrick to want to alter the entries to hide his involvement.”
