Arete’s cheeks flushed and she lowered her gaze. ‘Apologies, your Grace.’
‘You can’t help your feelings, I suppose. There, I have decided. Bastion, ensure Leksandr is brought to our chambers in the morning in time for our departure.’
‘Yes, my lord.’
Edmond’s eyes narrowed, and he stood.
‘Is something wrong, my lord?’ said Bastion.
‘No, not wrong. I have just sensed someone using battle-vision down in the city. An extremely virulent strain. There are no self-healing powers associated with this use of power, therefore I must assume that it is Corthie Holdfast I am detecting. Bastion, can you also sense it?’
The Ancient turned his gaze to the city. ‘Yes, my lord. Faint, but definitely battle-vision. He’s using it to stay alert, not to fight.’
‘Indeed. Send a full regiment of Banner soldiers after him. Tell them that the soldier who brings me his head shall receive a reward of five thousand gold sovereigns.’
Bastion bowed his head. ‘At once, my lord.’
Edmond smiled as Lord Bastion descended the stairs. ‘I shall mount it upon the wall of my bedchamber at home,’ he said, ‘where you, my dear Belinda, will be able to gaze at it every day, at least until it rots away.’
Arete narrowed her eyes.
‘I can sense what you’re thinking,’ said Edmond, ‘so it is time to let you in on our secret. Belinda and I will be marrying upon our return to Serene.’
Arete’s mouth fell open.
Edmond laughed. ‘You seem surprised, but this wedding has been a long time coming. We shall invite every Ancient to celebrate with us, in order to share our joy, and then we shall rule as husband and wife; the Second and Third Ascendants.’
‘But…’ said Arete.
‘What’s the matter?’ said Edmond. ‘Are you jealous? Do you wish you were becoming my bride, Arete?’ He laughed again. ‘Don’t look so terrified; I’m only teasing you.’
Belinda glanced at him. ‘I hadn’t given you my decision.’
‘I know, but is there really anything to decide? Choose now. It’s either marriage or the mask, so choose wisely.’
‘You will put me back in the mask if I say no?’
‘That’s right; that’s what happens to people who break their vows to me.’
‘Then I will marry you, Edmond.’
He sighed. ‘Excellent. Now, I’ve been thinking about the Sextant. I must say, your idea was a very clever one; I have inspected every inch of the device, and I also believe that a part is missing. I am going to ask you to think very deeply for me, my dear. I know that you can remember nothing prior to the Holdfasts wiping your mind, but I wish you to consider everything that has occurred since. It would make sense that the missing part would be something that could be easily found, therefore I believe that you would have hidden it in plain sight. Has anyone given you anything since you arrived in Khatanax? An heirloom of some kind, or a trinket? It could be anything, but I suspect it would be made of metal. Does any of that seem familiar?’
‘No,’ she said.
‘That answer was too quick. Either you didn’t think it through, or you already know what the missing part is, and you’re keeping it from me. Which is it?’
‘Neither, Edmond. I had already considered this, and I can’t think of anything that fits the description.’
He stared into her eyes. ‘I wonder what secrets are in there. Not being able to read your thoughts makes you all the more enticing to me, and you enflame my desires like no other woman ever has. I would lie with you this night but, alas, I must stay here to supervise the annihilation of Lostwell. Tomorrow night, my dear, when we are safely back in Serene, I will show you how much I love you, and you will love me in return.’
Belinda said nothing, as fear gripped her heart.
‘You’ll make a lovely couple,’ said Arete.
‘Indeed, we shall.’
Belinda got to her feet. ‘I think I will retire for the night.’
‘That’s a good idea,’ said Edmond. ‘Get some rest.’
She turned and walked to the stairs, amazed at her ability to hide her true feelings. She had wanted to scream when Edmond was telling her his plans for the following night, and yet she had kept her face steady throughout. He must realise that she was unwilling, she thought; he had to, didn’t he? Or was he delusional, believing that she was as besotted with him as he was with her? Her thoughts turned to escape as she descended the steps. Running away would mean her death in the ruins of Lostwell, but death sounded a better prospect than either the mask or getting married to Edmond. She reached the landing and went down the main stairwell to her own quarters, ignoring the cluster of servants standing outside. She went in, lit a few lamps, and sat on a couch, her head in her hands. It would be simpler to end her own life, but she didn’t know how. The Clawhammer was lying in its crate, but she doubted she would be able to use it to kill herself. What else did she have?
A sword, she thought; she had a sword.
She frowned. The Weathervane. A chill ran down her back, then she sprang up and ran to her bed chamber. She threw open the doors of the wardrobe, and pushed past her old, battered leathers to find the sword in its sheath at the back. She grabbed it, and drew it from the scabbard. Its dark metal blade glimmered in the lamplight.
She stared at it. The Sextant’s missing part; it had to be, and it had been sitting in her wardrobe the entire time. Did Edmond already know, or had he been trying to trick her into revealing it? If so, then he was probably watching her at that moment, and she had just given him the information he needed. She sheathed the sword and hurried back into the living room, half-expecting the front door to crash open.
If she was right, then what would Edmond do
