Page 124 of A Thief to Die For

‘Okay, maybe, at first,’ I concede. ‘But not in the end. Why do you think she healed me? She knew, better than anyone, how I felt about you. She knew and she chose to save my life.’

Marian studies me, weighing my words for truth. The last thread of whatever was holding her back seems to snap. Her eyes turn glassy, and then she’s reaching for me, falling against my chest. I hug her tightly, my chin resting on top of her head.

Finally, finally, it feels like I can breathe.

We stay like that for a long time – no way am I going to be the first to let go. But then she grabs my face and brings my mouth to hers, and we spend a very long time getting reacquainted with each other’s lips.

There’s a knock on the door.

My hands pause with my shirt half fastened. I can’t help hoping that it’s Marian, but I also know Dezzy would strangle her, and then me, if we saw each other now.

Rufus slips inside as I open the door. ‘I got it!’ He holds up papers in his one hand. ‘My contacts sent the list of what they can round up.’ Immediately, his hungry gaze sweeps Agatha’s room, which I’ve mostly packed up except her worktable of tools and supplies.

‘None of that’s for sale,’ I say, and return to buttoning my shirt. ‘Dezzy’s claimed it all for the school.’ To teach the sciences. Not bomb-making. At least, I hope.

‘Oh, I know that,’ he says, like he wasn’t mentally cataloguing everything. He thrusts his papers at me. ‘Anyway, the Lower Beaver Trading Post said they can find about fifty yards of copper pipes to run along the wood-stove chimneys. So it looks like we will have hot water this winter and –’

‘Rufus,’ I say, cutting him off. ‘I’m not talking about projects today.’

‘Okay.’ He shrugs, then brings on a smile that has my guard rising. ‘It’s my son’s wedding day. Let’s start the celebration.’

Son. My stomach roils. For weeks now he’s been taking the wear-the-crown-until-it-fits approach to our relationship, which is going about as awkwardly as expected. We may share the same eyes and height, but very little else. He wants to be trusted. I’d bet our budding chance at old-world electricity that depending on him is a mistake.

Although, he has proven me wrong on a few things now, especially with his trader relationships. I wouldn’t have half the pieces I’ve acquired from the old world for the extra water tower and well projects without him.

Rufus presses his lips together and attempts to look reflective. Or maybe he’s going for sentimental. ‘You look good,’ he mutters.

I’m saved by another knock on the door, and Levi, Samuel and Tristan file in.

I smile. ‘You guys all loaded up?’

‘Mostly,’ Tristan says. ‘Delivered the grain to the barns and packed the coal in the trailers to take back. But we still have to reload our food and water before heading out.’

‘We’re not leaving too early, though, right?’ asks Levi. ‘Because it’s going to be a late night, tonight. A proper party.’ He looks genuinely concerned.

‘Yeah, no need to rush off,’ I say. ‘You could always stay another day.’

‘Right,’ Tristan drawls. ‘Because you’ll be available to hang out.’

I smirk. ‘Who said anything about hanging out?’

‘No.’ Sam flops down on the chair in front of the long desk and it cracks. Loudly. We all freeze. When it doesn’t splinter into pieces, he continues, ‘I told the rest of the team we’ll leave at sunrise. With the trailers, it’ll take at least a week to get home.’

Tristan’s face turns stricken. ‘In that case, we’re definitely leaving at first light.’

Levi groans. ‘Why didn’t you just bring Isa–’

The door opens with a flourish, revealing Dezzy in a yellow dress. ‘Ryland and … oh my.’ Her hand flies to her chest and she giggles. ‘So many handsome soldiers.’

Samuel grins so hard I almost see his teeth – interesting.

‘It is time to go,’ she announces.

‘Really?’ I glance out the window at the position of the sun. ‘I thought we had –’

Dezzy’s amusement drops like a lead hammer. ‘It is time to go! Being early means being on time.’ She claps her hands twice, and all five of us move like she just pulled a weapon.

Lanterns hang everywhere, glowing brightly even though it’s not quite dark. It looks no different from a New Moon celebration, except tonight there’s also a path of lanterns forming an aisle.