The ache of separation from her twisted like a knife in my heart. I knew it would only be cured when I held my woman in my arms again.
I turned to face Tobis. “The gold is yours. I’ll pay more if you get someone to clean this place thoroughly before I move in and get a bed in here.”
“What kind of bed do you prefer?”
“A thick mattress with soft bedding, something exceptionally soft please, like brushed cotton or scorpion silk.” Elaine would love that. She liked all things warm and cozy.
“You’ll be moving in right away then?” Tobis asked.
“In a couple of days.”
Everything had been arranged by now. I’d even found a food merchant who would supply us with anything Elaine wanted without asking too many questions. All I had to do now was to fly back to Ashgate and bring her here, to our new home.
“Is that why you sold your Joy Vessel?”
I jerked my head at his words, as if he’d slapped me.
What was he talking about?
Tobis had never been to Ashgate, to my knowledge anyway. I hadn’t mentioned Elaine either, of course. But maybe the client who recommended Tobis to me blabbed about her? That was entirely possible, and I couldn’t hold it against him. After all, until recently, Elaine and I had used word of mouth to grow our business.
If the word now was that I sold Elaine and was moving to Teneris on my own, it might work in our favor. She’d be safer in this city if no one knew that she was here at all.
“It must’ve been hard to part with someone like her,” Tobis chatted good-naturedly. “Her joy is expensive, I heard, but they say it’s worth every coin you charged for it. I’m considering splurging on dinner with her soon. Thankfully, her new owner is continuing with your business.”
“Her new owner?” I repeated with dread descending into my stomach like a ball of lead.
“Yes, I got a message from him…or her? Was it a woman who bought your Joy Vessel?” Tobis searched in the pocket of his skirt. “Here it is!” He produced a piece of rolled up parchment. opened it, and read, “‘As the new owner of the Joy Vessel Elaine, I invite you to taste her joy at any time of your convenience.’See? I just got it this morning through a friend.”
I grabbed it from him. Shock and panic pounded inside my skull. The writing swam in front of my eyes. I could barely make out the words written in the hand I didn’t recognize. There wasno signature, but the receiver of the letter was instructed to ask for Mazra“in the same place as before”to see Elaine.
Mazra got her hands on Elaine?
How? When? While I was gone, clearly.
How dare she!
Rage exploded through me, burning in my flesh and bones. Rage so hot, it was a wonder it didn’t set my cloak on fire. Fear slammed into me next.
They took Elaine. They made her suffer. I failed to keep her safe.
“Fuck!”
My wings snapped open. I tossed aside the walking staffs and flew back up the stairs, then toward the balcony.
“Um…General?” Tobis’s shocked voice reached me from the stairwell. “Should I lock and ward the house then?”
The house could burn to ashes for all I cared. The whole city could burn with it. This entire cursed kingdom too. Because nothing mattered without Elaine.
Everything I had done in my life, everything I had endured, every breath I’d taken had brought me to her for one single purpose, to keep her safe, to make her happy. Nothing made sense without her.
I would find her.
Whoever took her would pay dearly.
I won’t use iron weapons on them.
No.
