Page 80 of Shadowborne: Reckoning

Donavyn and I had been in the dark that night, and rejoined the nobles as they worked back through the maze to return to the carriages. It wasn’t until the next morning, in the bright light of day, that we’d realized I had marks on the spot where my neck met my shoulder—red bruising, and some small scrapes from Donavyn’s teeth.

I’d hidden them under leathers that first day, but with the events at night, it had been impossible to cover them completely, though I’d let some of my hair down in an attempt to distract.

Of course, Faye noticed.

Now, none of them wanted to let me live it down.

I hadn’t missed the envy in many of the ladies’ eyes, though. Or the cutting comments about wanton commoners that had peppered some of their conversations this week—though none went so far as to look at me when they said it.

Donavyn was firmly in the Fyrehold king’s circle of approval now. A trusted ally. And as his assistant, to ostracize me was to risk being excluded by the Royals.

Faye couldn’t have been happier. She teased me mercilessly, but I was beginning to understand that her true targets were the women who’d hoped Donavyn would find them in the maze.

God, what was wrong with these people?

But thoughts of Donavyn yanked me back to the coiled nerves in my belly.

Hanson and Ruin were both here tonight—they had been at every festival event, though rarely at meals during the day—and when some of the men disappeared for cards, inviting Ruin to join them, Donavyn had made excuses, because he wanted a chance to search Ruin’s room.

It was a risky undertaking, with little hope of success—if his story about Draeventhall was true, we suspected he’d grown even more cautious with any evidence of his purpose—but as Donavyn pointed out, with both of us present at the ball, it was unlikely he’d suspect us if he did notice anything disturbed.

I trusted Donavyn’s judgment, but I didn’t like having both of them out from under my eyes.

Especially with Hanson remaining here, watching me.

Donavyn had joined me in the ballroom, then we’d pretended to have a short, but sharp, whispered argument, before he left again, marching out of the ballroom at the same time as a few Lords, so it appeared he was annoyed with me, and off to play cards again.

I’d been avoiding Hanson ever since our conversation in the maze, making him wait while I considered his proposal. When we’d discussed it later, Donavyn suggested we allow cracks to appear in our unity that Hanson would believe he could exploit.

I knew it was a good plan, but I hated the idea of pretending to fight with Donavyn—and felt some nervousness about how the intense Lord might react.

Meanwhile, Donavyn had tried desperately to discern more from Ruin’s message, waited for him to send another—we had Benji back in the city tonight, in hopes Ruin would report again tomorrow. It was why Donavyn took the risk of the search—hoping to find something, anything, Ruin collected to send.

Until now, Hanson had satisfied himself with the occasional dark stare when Donavyn’s back was turned. But apparently he’d grown impatient. Tonight he sat at the back of the cluster of noble women, in a chair, one sleekly booted ankle resting on the opposite knee, a cut crystal tumbler of an amber liquor in a glass that he sipped slowly, his eyes dark and intent. Like the king’s predator birds.

I felt his gaze like a touch, and knew I couldn’t hold him off much longer, but Donavyn insisted every moment he was forced to wait would only fuel his fire. So, I attempted to hold him off with warning glances—letting him know I hadn’t forgotten him, but that the time wasn’t right.

I’d met his intense gaze twice already, and turned again when Faye laughed with some of the others, to stare at him flatly.

I know you’re there. It isn’t the time. Don’t do it.

I prayed he perceived my intent as I tore my gaze from his and back to Grace—then my heart leaped because the wide, tall form of Donavyn appeared walking casually along the ballroom floor with a noble I didn’t know, both of them returning to our group.

Thank God. I had to look away from him and into my cup so I wouldn’t stare like a relieved puppy.

‘Did you find anything?’

‘No, dammit. Barely gained entry before there was too much foot traffic in the hallway and I had to get out the moment a gap presented.’

‘Maybe I should try. Men would see any attempt from me to get into his room as more suggestive than threatening—’

‘Absolutely not. Not until you’re properly trained. Ruin’s been on mission for months, his protocols are honed. If you accidentally trip a trap… no, Bren. It’s too risky.’

I knew he was right, but once again cursed the short training time I’d been allowed before we came. This was one area Gil and Voski had promised to train me. But there just hadn’t been time.

‘I’ll keep an eye on him and when our assistance arrives, we’ll increase the pressure. As always, we need more time. Next time you speak with Hanson, see what his plans are after the Festival concludes. I fear Ruin will disappear and we’ll lose our chance for proof…’

I tried not to stare at him, but I was so relieved he was back safely, and apparently unharmed, that I couldn’t stop watching him. He stood across from where I sat, on the other side of the little circle of ladies, a nobleman at his side that I recognized, but whose name I couldn’t remember.