Renegades (Hotbloods #3)

Navan slipped my arm through his, and we set off through the arched doorway, which had been decorated with sprays of tiny blue flowers and dripping fronds of crystalline willows forged from gemstones. Miniature lights were embedded within the display, illuminating the way into the gardens.

In the distance, I could hear the beating of happy drums. The street carnival was well underway outside the palace, by the sounds of things. I still longed to be out there, immersed in some true Vysanthean culture. Instead, we had a job to do, with sparse opportunity to enjoy our time.

As I stepped down into the gardens, I marveled at the lights that filled every tree and snaked around every branch and bough, the whole place sparkling like a galaxy. Crystals dangled between the lights, catching the beams and sending a shower of rainbow luminescence down upon the gathered party. The grounds had been decorated with ice sculptures conveying strange birds and lovers entwined. Chatter babbled all around, with stunningly beautiful coldbloods sipping scarlet liquid from expensive-looking glasses. Underneath it all, I could make out strange music, the mood somewhere between a melancholy lullaby and a pretty ballad, though it was nowhere near as exciting as the bawdy music outside the palace walls.

Waiters weaved in and out of the guests, offering vials and glasses filled with Vysanthean delicacies. As a waiter paused beside us, Bashrik took up one of the proffered drinks, while the rest of us gave a polite refusal.

“You think that’s wise?” Navan reprimanded, nodding to the glass.

“Hey, you’re not the one who has to pretend to be in love with a queen. Cut me some slack,” he replied tersely, drinking it down in one gulp.

“Fair enough, just don’t drink too much,” Navan muttered.

Bashrik shot him a look. “Let me worry about that.”

“So we need to find Yorrek,” Lauren cut in.

“Yes. Anyone seen him yet?” Navan asked.

I shook my head. “No sign, but I’ll keep an eye on the door, check for new arrivals.”

“I’ll hang around by the tables, see if I can spot him,” Lauren added.

“I’ll join you,” Angie said, stealing a sly look at Bashrik, whose eyes had been discreetly wandering back to her since she’d come down the stairs.

With that, my friends disappeared into the crowd, heading for the dancefloor that had been set up on the lawn, with the dining tables arranged around it. There were a surprising number of couples already dancing, but it was the sight of Queen Brisha, sitting on a throne at the center of the high table, that caught my eye. She was dressed in a silver gown that looked like a second skin, a glittering tiara upon her head, her long, pale copper hair tumbling down in elegant waves. She looked stunning, I had to give her that, even though my hopes were firmly on Angie and Bashrik.

“How about a dance?” Navan asked, taking me by surprise.

“I need to watch the door,” I replied, eyeing him suspiciously. He hated dancing.

He smiled. “We can watch the door from the dancefloor. It has the best vantage point for watching the entire garden,” he explained, offering out his hand.

“What makes you so eager to show off your moves all of a sudden?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.

“Dancing with you, in that dress, makes it just about bearable,” he said, grinning as he took my hand and led me over to the dancefloor, where Angie and Lauren were already dancing in one another’s arms, much to the amusement of the surrounding coldbloods.

Turning my attention to Navan, I nestled into his arms, feeling one hand slip around my waist, as his fingers laced through mine. I rested my head on his shoulder, my eyes on the doorway to the gardens. Even as a lookout, it didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy a dance with my boyfriend.

As we made our way around the dancefloor, swaying to the slow music, I was barely aware of anything but Navan and the doorway. I saw Queen Brisha smile as we passed her by, but everyone seemed to have had enough of the novelty we presented, returning to their own conversations and partners. It was precisely what I’d hoped for.

Fifteen minutes later, I saw Angie and Lauren dance toward us.

“He’s here,” Angie whispered, nodding her head toward a second entrance, to the side of the gardens where two burly guards stood, their pikes crossed. Yorrek flashed them a hologram, which popped up on a device he held, and the guards let him through. Even so, he didn’t appear to be in the party spirit, his eyes glancing around furtively, his manner on edge.

We broke away from the dancefloor for a moment, the five of us gathering beside an empty drinks table. From the outside, it looked like we were just taking a refreshment break after a long dance.

“Okay, everyone move into their places,” Navan said quietly, and we all nodded in agreement. “Bashrik, you really need to make the queen swoon,” he added with a grimace.

Bashrik cleared his throat nervously. “Good thing I’m the best dancer in this place, then,” he said, forcing a smile, though his voice was strained.

“You’ll be fine,” I said comfortingly, trying hard not to look at Angie.

“I just wish I had a good reason to refuse her, you know?” Bashrik muttered, letting out a breath. “It just doesn’t seem fair to lead her on. She’s not that bad of a person… I suppose I can’t just say I’m not attracted to her, can I?”

Navan smiled. “Afraid not, Brother.”

“Then, swooning it is,” Bashrik murmured, his expression darkening as he took off toward the queen’s throne.

Taking that as our sign to move out, Angie hurried through the throngs of guests toward the secluded room on the first floor, taking Navan’s key with her. Lauren, meanwhile, moved away from the dancefloor, coming to a halt beside a piece of topiary shaped like a winged wolf, where she could keep an eye out for guards, or anyone who might come and snatch Yorrek before we had the chance to.

“You ready?” Navan asked. My gaze drifted toward Yorrek, who seemed to be keeping to the high hedges of the garden perimeter.

I nodded. “Let’s get this over with.”

We casually wandered in Yorrek’s direction, not wanting it to seem too obvious that we were making a beeline for him. His eyes went wide in surprise as he spotted us, though he stopped and waited for us to approach, evidently concluding he had nothing to fear from us.

“You—you’re the one who came to see me?” he barked as we came to a halt in front of him.

“I am, though we still haven’t had the pleasure of your company at the building site,” I said, smiling warmly.

“In fact, it’s serendipitous that you happen to be here this evening, as we’ve had some developments regarding the alchemy lab. We’d really appreciate your opinion,” Navan added, a polite smile on his face. “Bashrik was thinking about writing to you, but would you mind coming to have a look now? If you’re not busy, that is. I wouldn’t want to drag you away from the celebrations, considering you’re one of the honored guests.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I despise parties. I would rather be home,” Yorrek snapped, narrowing his rheumy eyes at Navan. “You’re both Jareth Idrax’s sons, correct?” he added, his tone cold.

Navan nodded. “Sadly, Jareth Idrax is my father.”