“And you haven’t told your mistress. Why?”
Padraig’s pale eyes flicked to where Keelynn waited, clutching her chest. “Ask yer brother.”
I didn’t need to ask my brother. Rían didn’t leave loose ends. If Padraig had somehow learned he was involved with Aveen, Rían would’ve made it impossible to incriminate him—and me by association.
At least my secret was safe for now.
Too stubborn to bring back the wheel lest the wasp think I’d given in just because she’d given out, I flicked my wrist, shifting the dinner Eava had cooked for me.
“Listen carefully,” I said, digging into my overcoat pocket, “I’ve left food and drink for you inside the carriage. Have as much as you want. And when you’re finished, come out and reattach the wheel.” I pressed Rían’s cufflink into his palm in case any humans came by looking for trouble. Hopefully, the gold would be enough to keep them from harming the old man.
Padraig’s jaw worked beneath the thin layer of white whiskers. “I want yer word that ye will see my lady safely to the village.”
“You have it.”
Tucking the cufflink into his pocket, he shouted down the road to his mistress, “Go ahead with master Tadhg. He promised the wheel will return soon.”
I went back to where Keelynn waited beside a wide puddle, darkness closing in on her, and told her to keep up.
7
“There’s an inn just there.”I pointed to the sign for the Eanlann House Inn. The place was small but had been clean the last time I’d been here. Granted, that had been about twenty years ago. But it still looked the same, and as far as I knew, it was still owned by the Fyfe family.
Keelynn glanced at the inn, then back to me. “You must bring me to the door.”
I reminded myself this was the last time I would be seeing her. I could smile past my irritation for a few more minutes. “Must I?”
“I would appreciate it if you accompanied me the rest of the way,” she amended, her smile as false as her feigned manners.
“What’s this?” I gasped, clutching my chest. “Are you asking me to be near youon purpose?”
Despite the dim light from the street lanterns, I could see a blush painting her cheeks.
Keelynn kicked a loose stone with the toe of her boot, probably wishing it were my head. “I shouldn’t have said that to you. It was awful, and I’m sorry.”
Hold on. She wassorry? Was that what she’d just said?
The apology seemed genuine enough. I supposed I owed it to my brother’s fiancée’s sister to make sure she didn’t get murdered on an empty street. Plus, I had promised Padraig.
“It’s thirty bloody paces,” I muttered. When we reached the red door, I bowed low and asked if she required any additional assistance, throwing in, “I’m remarkably good at unlacing stays,” just to irritate her.
The indignant glare was to be expected. Then something in her expression changed as her gaze dropped to my hands. Her breathing caught. Her eyes fluttered closed.
The cord between us tightened. The shadow of my curse stirred to life, writhing beneath my skin, waiting for the invitation.
“Stop.” Keelynn gasped, pressing a hand to her chest.
“Stop what?” I hadn’t said a feckin’ word.
“N-nothing.” She backed toward the door and slipped inside.
The wasp must be off her nut.
I tried to evanesce back to the castle but couldn’t dredge up enough magic. Right so. If I couldn’t go home, I’d have to find someplace else to stay.
After I got a drink.
I meandered down the street to the first pub I came across. The place was empty except for two men sitting together at one of the low tables and a bartender reading behind the taps. The moment their eyes lifted to mine, their hands fell to their daggers.