Page 141 of Fire to the Stars

—Letter from Richelieu Houdin to the Slayers Guild, February8, 1761 AA

Chapter Fifty-Two

Abel

We’re headed for the exit when Marshal Payen runs toward us.

“Don’t go yet!” she shouts. “I have something for you.”

Short of breath, she forces a hefty coin purse into my hands. It jangles, stuffed with more soleils and lunes than I’ve seen since my parents died.

“We didn’t free Noctu for a bounty,” I protest.

“We have no furtherneedfor bounties. This is the remainder of Varsonne’s slayer budget.” She nods to Claire. “Take it. You two have more than earned it.”

“But—”

Claire plucks the coin purse from my hands and winks. “Nobody’s going to punish you for being a little greedy, Abel.”

Force of habit makes me hesitate, but as I watch Claire jangle the coins in front of a hopping Lucy, that hesitation melts away. A new rule occurs to me.

First rule of happiness: Make the most of opportunities.

Opportunities. Horses, land, a farm, the occasional luxury. A ring too, when the time is right. The future unfurls in front of me so clearly that I can hardly focus on one possibility at a time.

“A fair point,” I concede. “Thank you, Marshal.”

Claire smiles at me.

Apologies to the Church. I suppose I harbor some residualgreed.

No survivor of the dragon curse shall be deprived of human rights.

—Royal decree by His Majesty King Philippe, February1, 1761 AA

Chapter Fifty-Three

Claire

Imayhave stolen one last thing.

The moment we’re clear of the archive building, I slip the tube from beneath my coat. It’s a fresh map of Florent, free of markings. Abel takes it with a fog-laced sigh.

“Tell me you didn’t ‘borrow’ this from the archives,” he says.

“Of course not. I play for keeps.”

He makes a disgruntled face.

I laugh. “Never again. I promise.”

“You make a lot of promises.”

“I really, truly mean it this time. I just like to think the Guild owes me forthis.” I wiggle the fingers of my newly bandaged hand.

He shakes his head and pops the tube open, but I catch that handsome smile before it hides behind the map. Lots of potential destinations sprawl across it.

“Where do you want to go?” he asks.