Page 83 of Fate's Wicked Oath

Blank Fates?

That piqued Mariana’s interest. “Has anyone come?”

“I saw two,” Noble said. “They came for the Mirror Ceremony, about a fortnight ago.”

Mariana’s cantankerousness gave way to curiosity. “Describe them.”

“One had a chipped tooth and patchy beard. He was accompanied by a shorter man, bald.”

“Castor and Brom,” Mariana said. “I had a suspicion.”

“Which was?” Anya asked.

“The Valiant are monitoring us,” Idris supplied. “Making sure we don’t divulge too much about…” He spread his big hands, leaving it unsaid.

“They’ve also been experimenting with the Well of Fate with…mixed results,” Mariana said. “I had a hunch that if they came here to check up on Idris, they’d be tempted during the Mirror Festival to glimpse their altered Fates—or, rather,non-Fates. I didn’t want you to…”

“Cross paths with dangerous knights?” Anya put in.

“Faren was right, shedoescare,” Hattie exclaimed.

“Icareabout acquiring more potions.”

“No alchemy tonight. I don’t have time.”

“Make time,” Mariana demanded. “Delay whatever silly event distracts you.”

Hattie folded her arms again. “The wedding of my best friend will not be delayed by anything—least of all, you.”

Anya was smiling. So was Idris, who stepped closer to the innkeeper and planted a kiss on her temple. The garlands. The ribbons. The town in a fluster. It wasn’t the Mirror Festival, after all, buttheirwedding.

“Mariana,” Faren said, breaking the standoff between her and the alchemist. “We can spare a day or two. It’s no trouble.” He turned to Anya. “I hate to ask anything of the bride-to-be, but do you have any available rooms we could occupy while we wait?”

“Yes.” A slow grin spread across Anya’s face. “But I only have one. You’ll have to share.”

30

Only One Bed

Mariana

Ithink Anya’s lying about her availability,” I said as I followed Faren up the stairs. “This place seems entirely empty.”

After showing us where to stable our horses, the innkeeper had instructed us to take the “apple room,” which was apparently located near the end of the upstairs hallway.

“It’s her wedding week,” Faren said, “let’s not question her generosity.”

“I’d rather be on the road,” I grumbled.

Faren glanced over his shoulder at me, our room key jangling in his hand. “I don’t believe you.”

He was right, of course. A soft bed sounded heavenly. But sharing the space with Faren? Tenuous.

Impulsively, I dropped to my knees in front of the next room he passed, its door marked with a sprig of lavender. When I pressed my ear to the wood, I heard nothing. I retrieved a small pin from my pocket and inserted it into the lock, prodding at the mechanism.

Faren didn’t notice until he’d nearly reached the end of the hall. He doubled back, chiding me in a harsh whisper, “Mariana. What are you doing?”

“What’s it look like I’m doing? I’m getting us a second room.”