Tsuyan was quiet. A well-mannered wife did not stay out late, so most women had retreated indoors. Only a handful of men braved the streets as evening faded to night.
One other woman passed us, giggling, hips swaying, arm linked through a man's. A high slit cut her skirt, and a pale blue band wrapped her thigh: the marks of a courtesan.
I tried emulating her, but my cheeks started burning. Ferris looked down at me, eyebrows raising. Giving up, I bowed my head, hoping nobody would examine me too closely.
A heavy breeze tore through the road, fluttering my excessively long gown and Ferris’ cloak. When it settled, he turned to me. “What do you think it is? That . . . thing that happens when we touch.”
“I don’t know,” I said, reflecting on the night I’d spent in Kentoro. “It happened with that woman, too. The one with white hair, who brought back the Paragon sword.”
“Mare?” Ferris’ eyebrows shot up. He glanced away. “I should’ve found an excuse to brush hands with her.” He slapped a hand to his forehead. “Saints, I’m an idiot. Ask me, this time.”
“Ask you what?”
“Why does that thing happen when we touch?”
I furrowed my brow, confused. “Okay. Why do you think that thing happens?”
“What else?” He said, taking my hand in his. “It must be a sign from the stars that we’re fated to be together.”
I blinked at him. “Right.” Yanking my hand from his, I turned back to the road. “I guess I’m fated to be with that woman, too.”
Ferris chuckled. “Lucky you. Mare’s beautiful. Shame she’s marrying my brother.” His voice rose. “By the way, I?—’
“Sh.” I shoved him into the doorway of the nearest building.
A trio of Solhearts stood on a porch at the end of the block. Two wore white, one black. I could see bright blond hair and bronze skin, though the details of their faces were difficult to make out.
Ferris at least had the sense to shut up and lean into the shadows. We pressed ourselves against the wall, watching.
Quinn waved an arm and clapped one of the Solhearts on the shoulder. Pulling his collar up, he trotted down the porch steps and sauntered down the road. The other two did not follow. They retreated through the inn’s door.
“Where’s he going?” Ferris breathed, placing a hand on the cold brick wall.
His fingers brushed mine, reminding me we were pressed together.
Fluttering wings danced through my chest. What was that? I'd never felt it before.
Shrinking away from Ferris, I grabbed my sword. “Let’s find out.”
Curling my fingers around my blade, I focused on the swaying black cloak ahead of me. This time, Quinn was outnumbered. We’d catch him unawares.
And I’d tear the answers from him, if need be.
Chapter 26
Liam
Splitting up was never a good idea. The last place Mare needed to be was alone with that Paragon.
I supposed it wasn’t all bad. Alone with Bláth was exactly where I needed to be.
The Solheart woman was incredibly suspicious. Mare hadn’t paid any attention to her during our ride from Gwynford to Tsuyan, but I had.
Bláth’s eyes never left Mare. She hardly glanced at her ex-lover, rarely paid Ferris any mind, though he’d talked her ear off on the journey.
It was a stare beyond mere interest. Inquisitors had worn that glare when watching me in a crowd, wondering if I was the boy they sought.
Pulling my collar up, I followed Bláth through Tsuyan’s frozen streets. She walked with confident swagger, hips swishing aggressively, tailcoat fluttering in the breeze.
