She flicked her gaze to Charlotte and saw her smiling with such warmth and happiness that it twisted something in her gut. She decided not to say anything, not wanting to frighten her.
“No,” Elizabeth said, forcing a smile to her lips. “I think I’ve told you everything.”
A familiar-looking carriage pulled outside the restaurant, visible just outside the window.
“Oh blast! Has so much time passed already?” Charlotte stood and brushed a few crumbs off her skirts, drawing her emerald cloak closer around her. She raised a brow. “Do you need a ride to wherever it is you’re going?”
Elizabeth rose as well, setting a few coppers and a silver noble on the table. “I’ll be alright.”
They made their way outside, and Elizabeth embraced her friend in a quick hug.
“You’ll write?” Charlotte asked.
“Every chance I get.” Elizabeth grinned and waved as her friend climbed into the carriage.
She watched the Harrison carriage as it made its way down the lane and turned out of sight.
Chapter 26
Allies
When Elizabeth arrived back at the castle, her cloak and dress were both covered in muck and grime from the road.
Fiza clucked in disapproval upon seeing her and pointed to the bathing chamber. “Bath, immediately.”
Elizabeth chuckled and disrobed, slipping into warm, soapy water and sighing. Fiza washed her hair, massaging her scalp.
While Fiza massaged a few drops of oil into her hair, Elizabeth became mesmerized by the detail in the dragon spout. It looked almost alive with scales and a slit pupil cut into the stone. She traced a few of the scales with her fingertip, wondering if something was wrong with her for being intrigued by beautiful, but dangerous things.
Elizabeth was surprised to see there was another man at the table tonight—a portly man, wearing a suit. He looked human from afar, but if her experience was anything to go by, he probably wasn’t.
Caspian inclined his chin as she strode over to her seat. “We waited for you. I wanted to introduce you to a friend of mine from the Underworld.”
As the new demon fixed her with a look, she nearly recoiled. His eyes were silver flame.
“This is Mammond,” supplied Caspian.
“My apologies,” she said, dipping into a curtsey. “Time got away from me again. Mammond, nice to make your acquaintance.”
“So, this is your new pet?” Mammond drawled to Caspian, as if she were not present.
Caspian nodded.
“What happened to the old one?”
Caspian rolled his eyes, and Mammond burst out laughing. Whatever had happened to her had not been good.
Revolted, she finished her meal in silence.
She sought out Iago after dinner.
His small, furred body was easy to spot near the entryway to the castle, and he looked questioningly up at her.
“Iago, I have a question.” She paused, considering her next words carefully. “You told me not to go into the ballroom…”
Iago began to fidget.
“And I haven’t.”
