“It’s a propensity that has gotten me into trouble more often than not. And you didn’t answer my question, Commander.”
“No.” Though his expression gave little away, there was an odd mix of sadness and anger emanating from him. “I ceded my position as my father’s second in the Forum to my younger brother Karl. It is he who now carries the weight of family expectations.”
“Then why haven’t you confided your suspicions to him?”
“Because it makes little sense to burden him further until I have proof. I hope to either gather that confirmation within the next five days, or be able to acknowledge it for the stupidity my father thinks it is.”
The wind didn’t think it was stupidity. I rather suspected the earth didn’t, either. Why else would he be here? He might be stationed a long way from Winterborne, but the earth was an unbroken connection that ran between the two. If he was a powerful enough earth witch—and I very much suspected he was—then he would hear the tales of this place not only through the connection of the stone, earth, and metal elements that made up so much of the buildings within Winterborne, but also through movement of people across the land itself.
“So what is it, exactly, that you wish me to do?”
“Tonight is the unofficial portion of the masque. It is a night for introductions and seductions, a night where nothing more than a good time should be had.”
“If I’m to bed anyone, Commander, it’ll be because I desire it, not because you wish me to.”
“And that is as it should be.” He paused. “However, either of us bedding anyone willy-nilly would not only muddy our purpose here, but would also be unseemly.”
Trepidation stirred through me, and it wasn’t helped any by the sudden glint of amusement in his eyes. “And why is that?”
“Because you and I are an informal item.”
“Meaning we have sex on an irregular basis?”
This time, he laughed. It was a warm, rich sound that sent delight skittering across my skin. “Not exactly. It means we are sexually together, but have made no promises nor undertaken the committal ceremony. It means that if others wish to lie with one of us, permission must be sought from both parties. It is a means of protection for us both.”
I raised an eyebrow. “And why would you need protection, Commander?”
“Please, you need to call me Trey for this charade to have any chance.” His amusement faded, only to be replaced by something much darker—something that spoke of old ghosts. “I may be the black sheep of the family, but I am nevertheless a firstborn son of a powerful ruling house. It’s not an understatement to say there will be those present tonight who’d think such a liaison would be worthwhile, for both their own status and that of their family.”
“No one would ever think that about me, though.”
“Perhaps not, but I think you’ll gather much attention and more than a few propositions before this night is over. And I believe such interest will only increase once your mask comes off.” Something of a wry smile touched his lips. “If there’s one truth about the twelve ruling houses, it’s the fact that none can resist chasing the unattainable and the different, especially when it comes so exquisitely packaged.”
This time, the wry smile was mine. “I’m well aware that my stain will draw attention, Commander—”
“Trey,” he cut in.
“—but I don’t think it’ll be considered such a prize once I’m introduced as Nightwatch and therefore unlit.”
“Oh, I think you underestimate the allure of the unknown. Besides, you won’t be announced as Nightwatch. Kiro agrees it would not be beneficial.”
“You won’t confide in your own family, yet you confide in him?” I couldn’t help the edge in my voice, or the distaste that lingered on the word him.
Trey’s eyebrow rose. “And why would you have formed such an opinion of the man in the brief time he was with you?”
I hesitated then mentally shrugged. He’d brought me here to be honest, so honesty was exactly what he’d get. “There’s a darkness to his energy that I don’t like.”
“Perhaps what you sense was nothing more than his suspicions about your dishonesty.”
I was shaking my head even before he was finished. “It was more than that. More than just his ability to read people, too.”
“Interesting that you caught that when so few are even aware he’s a reader—and it totally verifies my belief that your help will be invaluable.”
Perhaps. I hesitated. “Who is Lord Kiro, exactly? He doesn’t wear the color of any house, and yet he bears the moniker of Lord.”
“He was born Kiro Vaun, and is the second son of a healer of some repute. The Forum tithed him both the title and a house at the entrance of the plateau for services rendered to the ruling houses over the last thirty-five years.”
“So he’d be what? Sixty? Seventy?”
A smile touched his lips. “You’d think so, wouldn’t you? But he is, in fact, much younger—fifty-one.”
I blinked. “He’s been in the service of the Forum and the ruling houses since he was sixteen?”
“Yes. He is both a forecaster and reader of incredible strength, but all magic, even personal, has its costs. His ages him.”
I remembered the dark restlessness of his energy and a shiver ran through me. “I rather suspect those are not his only gifts.”
“No. But many readers are also sexually alluring. It is often the best way to ferret out secrets.”
“So does he seduce only with his words and energy?”
Trey raised an eyebrow, his expression one of amusement. “What do you think?”
“I think it is a combination of words, aura, and physicality. But why would the lords of this place turn a blind eye to the bedding of their own women?”
“It’s not just women, and it would depend on the circumstance and information required. There are certainly a few who are extremely unhappy about Kiro’s methods.” He glanced at the window and abruptly sat forward. “We near the secondary gate, and there are a few formalities you need to know.”
“Only a few?” My voice was dry. “I would think that is something of an understatement.”
He acknowledged the statement with a twist of his full lips. “First and foremost, you curtsey to everyone you are officially introduced to, be they upper or lower house. No lady ever serves herself from the outside tables—she either accepts such things from the trays serfs carry around the room, or requests such from one of the men who are in attendance of her.”
“Which will only be you, so be prepared for a lot of walking back and forth.”
That eyebrow winged upward again. It was truly amazing how much one could discern from such a movement—like the odd mix of amusement and irritation currently evident—even if little otherwise showed on his expression. “Perhaps we should have a small wager on who is right on that account?”
No, we should not. But I nevertheless found myself saying, “That would depend on the stakes.”
He hesitated, his gaze challenging as it pinned mine. “If I win, you tell me the truth of what happened out there in the Tenterra desert.”
Such a bet would be nothing short of foolish, and yet I could almost hear Ava in my head, egging me on, telling me this was a golden opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. But I couldn’t in all conscience ask for anything that might further my placement in the watch or even secure something for my retirement fund. Not when all he wanted was the truth.
But the refusal of the bet would all but confirm that something had gone on. That I was lying.
And he was aware of the position he’d just placed me in, damn him.
“If I win,” I said slowly, “I want the truth about the break with your family and why a first son would cede his rights to a younger brother and take a position at Blacklake.”
He didn’t react for a moment, then a slow smile spread over his face. “I am so glad, Neve March, that it was you who was sent to rescue Lady Rossi that day.”