She’d rather breakfast in her bedchamber. On her windswept balcony.
Corvin didn’t answer, and she turned to find him speaking with a man dressed similarly to Manphry. The person rose from the floor. When he disappeared beyond a revolving wall, Lux stared after him.
“Passage to the kitchen,” explained Corvin. “Most of the common rooms have something similar for the attendants’ easy access. You see? Morning rooms and hidden doors. Look at how well of a map I’ve become already.”
She sat in the chair he pulled out for her. “I fear you’ll not get anything else done.”
Corvin only smiled. Another of his attendants entered the room from the inconspicuous door, hands ladened with a matching pair of covered dishes. Corvin took a seat across from her, and they waited in silence as the plates were set before them, lids removed with a flourish.
“That will be all, Godfrey. Return to the kitchen. Tea, Lux? Or coffee?”
Lux curled her lip at Godfrey’s collapse to the ground. She waited for him to stand again before glancing across the table,to Corvin’s gloved hand poised over a teapot, a taller carafe set beside it. “Tea, please.”
He nodded and poured her a cup. She reached for it, tracing the peculiar depiction of a melancholic statue when it settled in her palms. It didn’t move. “Your staff is…especially devoted.”
“You speak of the attendants’ homage I assume? It’s a tradition of the society, to pay their respect to the role. Hardlymychoice, but I won’t deny them it. I hope you like honey, by the way. This particular batch is a specialty to the area.”
Saints above.She took advantage of the cup in her hand and drank a slow sip. By the time she swallowed, she managed, “I do.”
Drizzled overtop artfully toasted bread, with a poached egg and a light sauce, Lux wondered if she could even stomach it. The last time she’d breakfasted with someone, it had been with Shaw. Lux peeked through her lashes. Corvin poured himself a cup of dark liquid from the carafe and paid her no attention.
She pressed her thumb and forefinger to her eyes.
“How did you sleep?”
“Like the dead,” she replied, only for her abdomen to tighten at his smirk. She hurried on. “I’d forgotten what a bed could feel like.”
“It’s true, inns are a far cry from our own. I’m happy to be home.” He studied her a moment more. “And Kent has seen you?”
“You don’t recognize his work?”
“Oh, I do.” He lifted his cup again to his lips—slower, this time. Lux shifted in her seat. “I’ve spoken with our healer, Lord Artemis. He’s very interested in your case. I’m told to escort you to him at midmorning.”
“What did you tell him?”
“Only what you told me. I saw nothing for myself, so I didn’t think I should speculate.”
“Thank you,” she said, and she meant it sincerely. Because even if it turned out she was only jaded and had followed the wrong money trail, at least she would have this.
At her first bite, the taste of honey bloomed across her tongue. Lux’s fingers tightened on her fork. “Any news on your poisonings?” she asked.
Corvin leaned back in his chair. “Not yet. Silas planned to return Mistress Lefroy to her home in Loxlen, and while there investigate the situation. The only other death occurred in the city as well. I hope they find the culprit quick. It wouldn’t bode well to have an active attacker on the loose, overshadowing a celebration.”
“Would it be postponed? It’s only two days from now, isn’t it?”
“Not since its inception has that ever happened. I doubt it.”
“Hmm,” she replied. But really, she thought it odd he hardly considered it an option. Her attention shifted to the wall. “Those are former members of your society? Or current?”
“Current but passed to the Beyond. Once inducted, you’re considered a part of it forever. Even in death.” He didn’t turn to look but continued with his meal. “The Lords of Mothlock. All have accomplishments worthy of honor. Like the one with the draping mustache—a brilliant stone mason. He built Mothlock into what it is today.”
“It isn’t all original to the Grimrooks?”
“Most of it is. But there were rooms we required that weren’t present in its original state.”
Lux sipped at her tea. “Like the vault?”
Corvin winked. “Like the vault.”
