Chapter 23

The party was in full swing, creating the perfect opportunity to slip in behind the scenes to see what news we might find. The sentient beings of the Wyldes of Nevermore were renowned for holding secrets. And for aiding those they considered allies. Adrius would be counted among them.

Music pounded from the band of musicians playing until their fingers bled. At least they were not human. That was a sick sort of pleasure reserved for the Fey.

A house Brownie delivered another platter of food, steam curling from the surface. He set it down before being pulled aside into a conversation with a young girl. She seemed irate, angered about something, and while the comings and goings of servants did not interest me, something about their conversation did.

"They are not like us. It doesn’t matter what she says, they're not. And you think a princess will keep her word to you? You're a bigger fool than my pappy gives you credit for."

"She'll hire me on one day. I know it."

"She'll do no such thing, Poe. Just look at ya. Yer a mess. An' you've got no skills to boot, and yer one chance away from loosin' this job."

He lifted his chin. "If you've given up on believin' in the good in people, then you have truly lost your way, Meeran."

She rolled her eyes and scoffed at him before stomping away. The cook adjusted his apron, looked about hastily, then disappeared back inside the double doors he'd come out of.

While Sylos and every other guest at the gathering were occupied with dancing and drinking, I made my way into the belly of the hovel—the kitchen where a host of staff hurriedly prepared more food and drink. A short, stout, older Dwarf barked orders at all the rest. I spotted the young Brownie servant on the far side of the kitchen. He was diligently stirring a pot over the flame, with his nose pressed into a book.

Silently, I sidled up to him. "Poe, am I correct?"

He dropped his wooden spoon with a start, whirling around to face me. His expression fell.

He knew me. Good. It meant he knew what I was capable of if he did not comply.

"I wish to speak with you in private," I said in low tones.

His eyes went wide with fright, but he nodded, motioning to an adjacent door. We managed to slip out of the bustling kitchen unnoticed into an unoccupied storage room. He still had the book stuck in the crook of his arm. I took it from him, his eyes fixed on mine all the while.

"You needn't look so frightened," I said when his wide-eyed stance began to irritate me. "I've no cause to harm you. I'm just looking for answers."

"You want to ask me about the girl. The Princess. Lorelei? Am I right?"

My eyebrows shot up. "You know her then."

"Aye, all of the kingdom is whispering of your search."

And here I thought we'd been so careful. I admit, in my desperation I'd resorted to too many overt measures. "Guilty as charged." I shrugged. I leaned my hand casually against the wall next to him and grinned.

He staggered back a step.

"You see, Poe, I've had a very long journey following breadcrumb trails, which have, it seems, led me to you."

He swallowed audibly.

"I'm weary from the struggles, so I am hoping you will simply tell me what you know. Will you do that for me, Poe?"

He nodded. "Aye, of course," he murmured.

Footsteps passed by the door, and he ducked deeper into the shadows. "I was offered coin to smuggle them out of the city," he began.

"Go on."

"I was instructed to take them to a small village, north of the Eastern Wood to the Nomad Plaines. They are in the hidden town of Ciúin. Do you know it?"

Of course I knew it. It was the City of Silence. Everyone residing there had had their tongues cut out for speaking their mind, as it was forbidden to speak against King Etienne.

Ciúin was not a place one went to by choice. It was cold and menacing. Perfect, however, for someone wishing to remain hidden in plain sight. They were cut off from the rest of the realm, left to their own defenses to survive by whatever means necessary. They could not speak, and most could neither read nor write. It was ideal.

"I need to get there by the quickest means possible. Who can aid me with that?"

"You'll be needing a Ciúin guide then, Sire. Since they'll not allow outsiders entry into their gates without one."

For a moment I thought of using force, telling the servant I would make them grant me access, and that my blade was all the persuasion I'd need…but I'd come this far, and it was too late to revert to old habits now.

"The prince and princess have been given shelter to live among the folk there in relative obscurity until…" He paused.

I stared, waiting. "Until what?" I asked tersely.

"Until she's well enough to travel again."

My vision darkened. Well enough. I grabbed his shirt, lifting him from his feet until we were eye to eye. "What is wrong?" The blood spilled…it had been hers.

"N-nothing, my lord. I'm told she just took ill along the journey."

His feet dangled beneath him.

"What sort of illness?" I shook him.

"I—I do not know. All I can tell you is that it involved a great deal of throwing up." He wrinkled his nose. "Vomited all over the back of my carriage, she did." His stubby fingers scratched at my hands. "R-rumor has it she's with child."

I dropped him and took a step back. "What did you say?"

His hands shot up in front of him protectively. "I'm not sayin' they're true, my lord, just folk speculatin is all."

"Which folk would that be? Those without tongues?" I crossed my arms, holding back the surge of cold I wanted to unleash.

"Nay, the Dwarves who've helped them along the way. Tilak and the likes."

I'd just left Tilak not a fortnight ago. If there were any truth to such a tale, he'd have told me.

Raised voices called his name. "Poe? Poe! I cannot find him, the lazy git. Probably takin' yet another break."

I stared at his woolly, worried face, his eyes now wide with a different kind of fear.

"Respectfully, my lord," Poe stammered, "I must leave and return to my duties if I want to keep my job."

With a single nod, I handed him a small bundle of coins. "I'm afraid it may be too late for that, but I thank you for your candor," I said.

Then without another word, I disappeared from the room just as the gruff older Dwarf stormed in.

I slipped out of the kitchen and back to the party, out into the open night air, unnoticed. I can avoid being seen at will, yet somehow I'd let myself be witnessed by at least a dozen or so beings. It was not like me to be so haphazard. I brushed past a startled Dwarf, whose mouth opened as he pointed in my direction and whispered to his female companion. She turned her head in my direction, her eyes shiny with scandal.

My presence here would be the talk of their town for some time to come. I did not care…my mind was still racing from Poe’s words. Specifically, his words concerning Lorelei's health and possible…I could not even think it. There was simply no possible way that was accurate. Half of me was still terrified at the thought, and half of me terrified that even if it wasn't true, it would be someday.

I'd let her go. I'd sent her away with him. And I was preparing to do it again, arranging safe passage for them both back to her world. I was confused by my own actions, which clashed violently with what I truly desired.

Her.

Always her.