“I’m going to play dice with Gareth,” Lilith said, suddenly standing.
“We do not want this to go as it did last time,” Rhea said seriously. Florian caught her gaze following Lilith with a touch of concern. Her face was not easy to read, but Florian had known her long enough to distinguish even her subtlest expressions. “It will be better for all if this can be done without raising alarm.”
“I’ll do what I can,” Yvette said uncertainly. “I can make myself invisible, but…” She glanced over at him and then quickly looked away.
“Have you ever tried to extend the magic to another person?” Florian asked.
Her brown eyes found him again, first with surprise and then uncertainty.
Florian raised his hand to her. “Try.” His voice was soft, just for her.
He watched her chest as she inhaled deeply before placing her hand flat against his own. Before she had finished blowing out her breath, she was gone. It was bizarre, fascinating, surreal even, to feel her soft touch against him but not to see her. And that was nothing in comparison to when his own likeness disappeared. Unable to help himself, he raised his other hand in front of his face. A strange lightness, like morning mist, hung over him and wisped against his skin as he moved.
Florian was so mesmerized by the sensation that when his hand landed on something solid, a jolt of surprise went through him. Yvette’s touch withdrew at once, and she reappeared, looking at him wide eyed. Florian actually felt his face flush and had been about to administer an apology when Rhea spoke.
“It seems that this will be a great deal easier than last time.” Rhea offered a satisfied look between them. “But we will still need a plan.”
Florian nodded. “Yes, wouldn’t want to stumble into anything blindly.”
Rhea scowled at his joke, but he thought that perhaps Yvette’s cheeks reddened a bit. Warmth spread through his chest despite the seeping chill.
It was an effort to focus on Rhea’s words as she discussed the layout of the prison, the guard patterns (as best as she could recall them from years ago). Yvette, however, seemed to soak in her every word. He found himself watching her fingers as they twirled anxiously around the end of her braid. She was nervous and had every right to be. How easy it was to forget that not everyone courted danger as brazenly as the Blades did on a regular basis. The impulse to reach out and still her hand with a reassuring touch was not easily swallowed.
Once their plan was set, Rhea left them to discuss matters with Knox.
“You know,” Florian said, once they were alone. “My uncle says that there’s a banshee that wanders the lower levels. The shrieking drives you mad enough for it to suck out your soul.”
Yvette’s troubled eyes flicked to him in confusion.
“I’ve heard from others that the guards have trained the fish in the bay to eat prisoners if they try to swim away,” he added conversationally.
“Is this supposed to be making me feel better?” Yvette turned to him fully.
Florian shrugged, arranging himself casually. “I’ve also heard that the warden has a spiked tail and enjoys gnawing on the bones of inmates.”
Yvette rolled her eyes at his antics, but Florian’s efforts were rewarded with a genuine smile. He hadn’t paid enough attention to her mouth, her full, pursed lips. They were the lightest shade of pink. He’d bet anything they would be soft as flower petals.
“It’s the sea cells you’ve got to fear in Deepgate.” Lilith’s voice fell over them like a sheet of icy rain. Florian hadn’t even noticed her approach. He lowered his eyes, taking in a sobering breath. He should have known better than to joke.
“The caverns at the bottom of the tower flood almost to the top every day at high tide,” Lilith said. Her eyes were harsh with an old pain that had been sharpened into something new. “Prisoners are sent there for punishment when the water is low. You think that the jagged, damp floor is the torture. But then the tide starts to rise until there’s no choice but to tread for hours, if you’ve got the strength. If not… Many don’t last, especially not for days on end.”
“I’m sorry Lil’. I didn’t mean to…” Florian sighed apologetically.
“No soul deserves that fate, especially not Keira,” Lilith said, her eyes now locked on Yvette.
“That’s why we’re going to make it right,” Florian said, catching Lilith’s stare.
Her blue eyes burned into his, but he held her gaze.
It was Rhea who broke their connection, placing a hand on her wife’s shoulder.
“It’s late, come to bed.”
Lilith turned away, leading the way back to their tent. Rhea gave them one more parting glance before following after her.
“She’s right to hate me,” Yvette said quietly.
“She doesn’t,” Florian sighed. “She’s just afraid, like the rest of us.”
