herself at the last second when Mellinor’s cold water pressed against her hand.
“I’ll hold out down here as long as I can,” the sea spirit said. “Meanwhile, you have to help me discover what happened. Stars don’t just vanish. Something bad is brewing, Miranda, and I fear it’ll only get worse.”
“Of course I’ll help,” Miranda said. “I couldn’t call myself a Spiritualist if I didn’t. Even if I wasn’t one, I made you a promise, Mellinor—strength for obedience, power for service. My soul is still your shore, and whatever is happening, I’ll protect you however I can.”
“I know you will,” Mellinor said, his voice fading. “I have to go. I’ve held against the tides too long. I’m counting on you, Miranda.”
“I won’t let you down,” Miranda said as the blue water ran away from her fingers. “Not this time.”
This last part was a whisper, and the words were lost in the sound of the river as Mellinor’s water vanished downstream. The moment he was gone, the emptiness came roaring back almost as strong as when she’d first lost him, and Miranda nearly fell into the water. The river caught her, pushing back against her hands until she was steady again.
“I’m sorry about before,” Rellenor said. “I didn’t know you were a friend of the favorite. I’m sure the Deep Current simply had business with the Lady. Don’t worry, the ocean’s star will return and your sea will come home. Just keep flowing and everything works out, you’ll see.”
Miranda nodded and straightened up, but she couldn’t help remembering Mellinor’s insult to the river Fellboro so long ago. Rivers, always taking the easiest route. That snatch of memory almost made her cry again, but she steeled herself, wringing the water out of her soaked sleeves and trousers as she set off up the boat ramp to catch a coach back to the Tower.
Even if the reason turned out to be innocent, a missing star was worrisome news indeed. It was good she’d already called the Conclave. She had a feeling she would need the whole Court before this was over.
All these thoughts tumbled through her head as she climbed the steep streets away from the river, and Miranda gave herself over to them completely—planning her actions, making lists, putting things in order—but once she’d found a cab willing to overlook her soaked clothes in exchange for a handsome tip, she collapsed onto the cushions and allowed herself to focus on the one thought she’d been holding back until she was alone.
Mellinor was alive. He was alive and he’d found her. Shrinking back into the corner of the coach, Miranda finally let herself break down as all the guilt and fear and sadness of the past two days washed through her. The roar of the city covered her crying as the coach wound its way slowly through the packed streets toward the Spiritualist Tower.
CHAPTER
4
Eli woke to the feel of burning fingers stroking his cheek. He was lying on his side, curled under his coat against the cold of the Between. He could feel Benehime beside him, her white body shining through his closed lids like a beacon. He took a deep slow breath and opened his eyes, plastering his face with the warm, sincere smile that worked best with her. The first thing he saw was Benehime sitting on the bed beside him, watching him with the all-consuming love that made his stomach clench into a tiny, icy marble.
Sleep well? she whispered, leaning down to kiss his forehead.
“Well enough,” Eli said, clenching his jaw so he wouldn’t flinch.
I’ve brought your breakfast. She leaned back so Eli could see the breakfast tray on the floor, the enormous platters of sweet meats, pastries, and breads all steaming hot.
Eli sat up without comment, sliding his jacket back over his shoulders. As usual, his clothes were clean. He never knew quite how that happened, if Benehime changed them in the night or if she simply ordered the dirt to leave. As he pulled his coat square, he sincerely hoped it was the latter. The idea of Benehime dressing him while he slept made his skin crawl.
When he was fully dressed again, the Shepherdess reached down and picked up the tray. The silver platter practically leaped into her hands, but Benehime didn’t pay attention to its fawning. Instead, she selected a frosted bun and held it out to Eli.
Eat, she commanded. I won’t have you so thin.
Eli obeyed. The food came from Zarin, snatched through the veil on its tray with the crest of an extremely prestigious inn stamped into the metal. She always got him the best. Too bad the frosted cake tasted like ash in his mouth under the Shepherdess’s scrutiny. He ate mechanically, shoving the food down and doing his best to look grateful, but as he woke up fully, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong…
That thought almost made him choke on a piece of ham. Who was he trying to fool? Everything was wrong. He was right back where he’d started, back in the prison he’d worked all his life to avoid. And this time there was no con, no game, no hope of escape. This time, he was here forever.
Eli shook himself and forced his attention back to the food that was going down his throat before he could get really depressed. It did no good to fret. He was the only one who would suffer if he let himself get bent out of shape over this. Best to make the most of it, he thought, taking a muffin from Benehime’s hand. Be a good dog, stay out of trouble, and maybe if he was boring enough Benehime would forget her obsession in time. He glanced sideways at the Lady, who flashed him an adoring smile. Sure, and maybe he’d be the Heart of War’s next wielder.
He chewed violently and swallowed, but the food sat like lead in his stomach. Eli closed his eyes. Powers, he wished that feeling of wrongness would go away. If he had to eat, he’d rather not be sick from it.
When he’d cleared the tray enough to satisfy her, Benehime took his hands and stood them up. The bed vanished the moment they were on their feet, leaving them standing alone in the white nothing. He was about to ask what she wanted to do when he caught the Lady staring at him, her lips curved in a loving smile.
I’m so glad you’re home, she said, drawing him close. You have no idea how dull life has been without you, pet.
Eli winced at the endearment, but his face was hidden against her white hair, and she didn’t see.
It’s just like old times, she murmured, stroking her hands over his back, her fingertips gliding up and down his spine. Just the two of us.
And that was when Eli realized what was wrong.
He pushed her away and reached down, pulling his jacket apart. He unbuttoned his shirt, calling out in his mind for Karon. Nothing answered. He cursed and popped the middle button, staring down in horror at his smooth chest, the pale skin whole and unmarred, as though it had never been burned.
For a long moment, he could only stand there and force the breath in and out of his lungs. Anger like he had never felt before rose in his throat, threatening to overwhelm his well-honed instinct for self-preservation. Across from him, the Shepherdess stood playing with her hair, smiling innocently as she watched him fight for control.
“What did you do to him?” Eli said at last, grinding each word through his clenched teeth.
I removed him, Benehime said, her voice light and casual. They could have been talking about the weather for all the care she showed.
Eli closed his eyes. “Why?” he whispered. “Did I not come when called? Have I not been a good favorite?”
You are perfect, Benehime said, reaching out to stroke his cheek. And that’s why he had to go. Her fingers traced down his jaw to his neck, following the line of throat to his chest. I can’t have such an ugly burn marring my beautiful favorite, can I?
“He was my friend!” Eli roared, catching her hand and forcing it away. “Where is he? Tell me, Benehime!”
Benehime’s smile vanished. Don’t be bossy with me, darling, she said, grabbing his hand and bending it backward before he could react. Eli gasped in pain, cursing himself. He always forgot how strong she was.
You made the rules of the game, she said, bending his hand farther and farther. But I won. The time for defiance is over. You’re mine, every last bit of you, forever. I decide who your friends are, what you can do and when, what you eat, when you sleep.
