Page 40 of A Touch of Poison
15
Kat
Yesterday had been doubly bad. First my appointment with Elthea had been nothing more than a checkup, taking my temperature, listening to my heartbeat—that sort of thing. No cure.
Then… Well, whatever the fuck that had been last night.
Bastian truly thought so little of me that he believed I’d given unCavendish his secrets.
I stewed over the way he’d spoken to me as I got ready for another day trawling around jewellers. We would come back here for lunch, when I’d have to see Bastian for my antidote, but otherwise I could avoid him. As I smiled at that and slid a star-shaped comb into my hair, a knock sounded at the door to the suite.
Urien, the same dour guard who’d stopped me getting to Bastian’s apartments back in Riverton Palace, appeared with a chest—mychest. How had that got here from Albion?
“There’s a seal on it,” he said as he set it down. “It can only be opened by the owner. No one’s gone through it.” With a nod, he slipped out just as brusquely.
Sure enough, magic hummed under my fingertips when I touched the lid, and it opened with ease. On top of my belongings sat a note withKatherinein handwriting that made my eyes sting.
“Ella!” I tore the seal apart and perched on the arm of the settee to read the letter.
My dear friend,
You certainly know how to make an exit, don’t you?! Lords and Ladies, you almost gave me a damn heart attack. Kindly don’t do that again.
Asher has told me what happened with the mead and “Cavendish.” I feel sick for you and for myself. But I shouldn’t write too much in here, just in case it falls into the wrong hands. Asher assures me no one else will be able to open this chest, but I’m not sure how much I trust in fae magic.
(As an aside, Perry trusts in it—and him—implicitly. I wonder why. Fairly sure you can picture my expression right now!)
Anyway, I’m being hurried along so this can be sealed and collected. I packed up your things, so you don’t need to worry that anyone else went through them. I included all your clothes (yes, the lingerie too), just in case…
(Pulling a highly innocent face right now, just so you know.)
By the time you get this, I’m sure you’ll be all healed and well. I hope you’re enjoying all Elfhame has to offer—must say I envy you something chronic.
But most of all, I want to give you the world’s biggest hug. Don’t forget me while you’re swanning around Tenebris-Luminis!
All my love,
Ella
x
My eyes were tear-filled by the end. At her thoughtfulness and from longing for one of her hugs. Instead I had to hug the note to my chest and laugh at the ridiculous idea that I could forget about her.
When I rummaged through the chest, I found all my clothes and jewellery, my pistol, and, at the bottom, the box that I’d kept under my bed. It was still locked, the keys tucked into a pocket in the lining of the chest.
Buoyed by the letter, I washed. When I emerged from the bathroom, I found a bouquet of yellow roses in the vase. Every few days, a new bouquet appeared. Until today, they’d always been clean, crisp white. This splash of colour was welcome, and I couldn’t help smiling at them as I dressed, ready for another day trawling around jewellery shops.
Today I would get some information about unCavendish. If not for me, then for Ella.
* * *
But Rose had other ideas—wehad to make another stop first.
“Sorry. It won’t take long.” She winced as she led me along a narrow road. “Bastian was annoyed I hadn’t taken you already.”
Shooting her a look, I almost forgot about hiding my frustration at this interruption to my plan. “Did you tell him about the necklace?”
“No.” Her mouth twisted. “He didn’t ask, and I didn’t volunteer the information.”
