Page 64 of Nocturn

Charmed the alchemist? Who else had I charmed exactly? I continued studying him, but he gave nothing away. I moved past him and into the hall to reach the parlor.

All four women sat around with teacups before them. I attempted to ignore the arched brows as I swept past with a smile aimed toward the waving Vera.

A sudden swell of nausea stopped me in my tracks.

“Oh dear.” Moisture flooded my mouth.

“Drat, I hoped you would not receive those after-effects until the doctor was here. The liquid we poured down your mouth for—” Branwen pinkened and peered at my stomach. “Will come back up and everything will be back to normal.”

I was already running toward the bathing chambers.

I sipped from the teacup, leaning an elbow against the armchair of the chaise in the parlor. Another sennight had passed, and I had developed a sort of schedule.

Upon waking, I bathed in the elaborate ivory bathing chamber. After staff brought a small meal to break my fast, I met Egan in the hallway where we would then go to Al.

At Al’s, I would clean and sort beakers, jars, and glasses. I was currently attempting to devise a system involving the shelves against the wall. It gave me good reason to be near the shelf that continued to draw me toward it. A few times there had been faint sounds of scratching as I cleaned that came from behind the shelves. It validated that urge to find out what kept pulling me in this direction. But I had yet to be alone to truly investigate. So my time was spent building his confidence in me and keeping my head down.

Whatever those scratches were from, I would discover it.

The part that I continued to struggle with, as much as I loathed acknowledging it, was Lord Draven’s absence.

Regardless of how I turned it in my head, it would not make sense. He left without a word, and even more puzzling, he left me with the journal I’d asked for. After discarding me to the feeder wing, why had he thought of me?

I forcibly smoothed my furrowed brow.

I would attempt to not give him another thought. Serving Al while Lord Draven was gone would keep me more than occupied. Besides, his absence would work in my favor. Easier, without my emotions being muddled by his roaming hands, fangs, and his looming, too-attractive-for-my-good presence.

“What is all this huffing?” Vera asked, wiggling her eyebrows. She held her needlework in skillful hands. She’d been working on this particular embroidery for the last few dawnlight rotations.

And she was not terribly good at it.

“Have you and Officer Egan . . .” She suggestively wiggled an eyebrow.

I straightened, dragged back to the present.

“Vera,” I chastised, clicking my tongue.

She was quite scandalous with her words. At times, the four of them spoke like men, cursing and jibing at each other. As refreshing as it was, it also went against every single bit of what was expected from ladies of society. I had just managed to stop myself from correcting them with every little turn of phrase that spilled from their lips.

“It will be a sad dawnlight rotation when that man weds.” Vera sighed, shaking her head.

“Maybe it will be one of us,” Ida remarked cattily, directing it at Branwen.

“He would never wed a feeder. Not with his father being Lord Vaner,” Hester said pointedly. “His father will not live for eternity unlike our king, and Officer Egan will be required to take his place.”

What? He was Lord Vaner’s heir?

That was what he meant by saying he grew up here when I asked him at the brothel.

“I suppose you have a point.” Vera clasped her hand over her large bosom. “Unless he falls so desperately in love that he cannot help but wed someone below his station.” No one missed the words that were pointed toward Branwen.

“Love is not for us,” Branwen said, and the words hung in the silence like a bad omen.

“Enough with the squabbling.” I coughed lightly, leaning forward to place my teacup upon the matching plate. Ida rolled her eyes.

She had not hidden any of her disdain for me, but she did not bother me. Being around all the young women reminded me of Miriam. I had forgotten what whimsy in youth looked like.

“Is there a library here? I am in need of a good novel.”