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14

ZEPHYR

Iappear in Cordelia’s bedchamber at ten o’clock sharp, as promised.

She continues dusting a powder puff along her décolletage as she checks her painted lips in the mirror, speaking to my reflection. “I’m almost ready. When will our carriage be arriving?’

“I don’t remember mentioning a carriage.” I scrunch my nose. “It would be difficult to borrow a horse from the Duchess’s stables without her knowing.”

Cordelia turns in her seat and whines a little as she wraps her wide-knit shawl around her shoulders. “But that’s such a long walk, and my feet are already sore.”

“Sorry, princess. That’s why we have to leave so early.” I toss her a cloak as she reaches for her lined coat. “And we’re going to want to keep our faces covered until we’re in our seats.” I pull two rectangular stubs from my pocket. “I’ve already got our tickets.”

“Is that what you were doing while we were packing crates for our next trip?”

“Maybe.”

“Must’ve been nice to get out of work, Profess–” Her head cocks toward the sea, and she opens the window as flute music stirs through the night. Darcy is a small figure on the beach below, climbing barefoot on the rocks as she plays the notes they used to echo back to each other. She drops the instrument as she heads back up to the castle.

“She told me she was going to bed after dinner, so I didn’t think she’d be down there.” Cordelia pinches her throat, soothing the wave of emotion crashing through my aether. “What if she comes back up and sees us leaving through the hidden entrance?”

“She won’t. I have a backup plan.” I step onto the windowsill and reach my hand out to her.

She glances down at the rocky beach, then up at me. “Oh no.”

“I know you don’t like falling, but I swear I’d never drop you.” I change my position, bending at my knees and opening my arms for her. “Jump to me on the count of three. One…”

She paces backward. “Absolutely not.”

“Two…”

“Fuck me sideways.” She grits her teeth. “Alright, I’m coming.”

“That’s the spirit!” I clap my hands and open them back up again. “Three!”

Closing her eyes, she rushes forward and leaps into my arms. I embrace her tightly, and she wraps her legs around me, burrowing her face into my neck as I let us drop.

My cloak billows, and I stretch my wings. It was a pain in the ass to stuff them through the holes I slashed into my shirt earlier, but now I can use them unrestricted.

I fly to the battlements, scoping the area for a spot to land where no one will see us. Choosing a shallow valley below the castle, I take us there and set her down gently, my feet touching the ground before hers.

“We’re not too far from the road now,” I tell her, fixing her hood to cover her brow. “Let’s start walking.”

The hands of my pocket watch are ticking close to the top as we reach the side street where The Misty Pearl is located. We pass a vendor selling fake love potions, and I sense Cordelia’s excitement.

She’s never been down this way before—I’m sure the Duchess’s family wouldn’t approve of it—but she’s captivated by the bright banners strung between the buildings and the heady scent of burning incense. Everything about this section of the island is meant to entice, to make people want to spend their money on a night of pleasure after a long day of work.

I stay a few paces back so that she can explore without someone looking over her shoulder. If anyone tries anything, I’ll be right beside her in a heartbeat.

A display of shiny glass trinkets catches her eye, and she makes a beeline for a stall to pick up a blue tentacle, running a finger along the suction cups.

“That one’s an acquired taste,” says the woman behind the counter, her brown ringlets pinned atop her head with an octopus ornament. “I recommend trying something simpler if you’re new around here.”

She pushes a tray forward, and Cordelia lifts a translucent green glass shaft rounded into three sections.

“What is it?” she asks, and I press a knuckle to my lips to stifle a laugh as the woman at the stall’s crimson-stained mouth drops open.

“A dildo. You know,” she says, lowering her voice as she flounces her skirt forward. “To use on yourself.”