The Cogsmith's Daughter (Desertera #1)(79)

King Archon grinned and touched each corner of her mouth. “You do not seem to be too shaken up.”

“Well, I suppose I had my hopes that my attacker would be devastatingly handsome.”

King Archon wrapped his arms around Aya’s lower back and leaned down for a kiss. She placed her hand in front of her face, gently tapping his mouth. “Oh, no you don’t. Not until you explain yourself to me.”

“What do you mean, my dear?”

Aya stuck out her bottom lip and placed both of her hands firmly on the king’s chest. Her palms made a quiet slapping sound when they hit his shirt. “You know I saw you with her.”

“With whom?” King Archon’s brow furrowed. “Zedara?”

“Yes. And weren’t you the dutiful husband?” Aya poked his chest. “With your arm intertwined with hers so lovingly as you perused the shops together.”

“Aya, dear,” the king began, sweeping a stray curl behind her ear, “you know I want you and only you. I simply must put on a good show with Zedara. If I am not a doting husband in public, the people will suspect when…” The king stopped talking and glanced at the opening of the alley. Eldric stood in front of it, keeping watch.

“When what?” Aya tilted her head.

“You mustn’t worry about such things, my curious little Aya.” King Archon touched her nose. “It is not safe for you.”

“No, Archon.” Aya wrinkled her nose and pulled her face back. “You must tell me. What is going to happen? How will we ever be together?”

“My dear, you must wait.”

“No. I’m tired of waiting.” Aya took a deep breath. “I have waited an eternity. You must tell me now.”

King Archon placed his hands on her shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze. He looked to his valet again, who swung his arm against his side. “Aya, it is not safe to talk here. If you must know, come to my chambers tomorrow night after dinner. The preparations will be finished by then, and I will be able to tell you everything at once.”

Aya could barely contain her grin. “And you promise you will tell me everything?”

King Archon nodded.

“You swear it?”

“Yes, Aya. On my honor as the king, I swear it.”

On your honor. Ha! As if you have honor to swear on.

“I shall see you tomorrow night.” Aya pushed down the retching feeling in her gut and put her hand on the nape of King Archon’s neck, embracing him in a deep kiss. She opened her mouth, encouraging his tongue to explore hers, which it did, eagerly. Just as the king’s hands began to wander down her backside, Eldric coughed, and King Archon broke his hold on her.

“I’m sorry. I must go. Tomorrow night, my dear, we shall have everything.”

Aya wiped her lip with a single finger. “Yes. Yes, we will. Until then, Your Majesty.”

As she watched the king walk away, Aya leaned back against the wall, letting her head rest against the cool metal. One more day. In only one more day, her entire life would change. She would avenge her father’s death, reclaim his shop as her own, rid Desertera of its horrid king, and maybe, just maybe, have her chance with Willem.

All she had to do was wait. And tell Lord Varick.





CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR


Aya knocked on Lord Varick’s door three times in short succession. When the last knock’s echo faded from the corridor, she began counting. Once she hit ten, she would leave and send a message via the gray-haired guard; she would not stay a second longer. Aya thought about the first time she had knocked on this black door, how enraged and desperate she had felt. It was incomprehensible to think that now—less than two weeks later—her mission was nearly complete. She had to give Lord Varick credit. He knew people, and he knew how to play them.

As Aya’s count reached eight, she took a step away from the door. She stared at the purple eye, daring it to blink. When she whispered “Nine,” the door opened. Aya put on a smile, expecting to be greeted by Mrs. Lemot. However, she looked up to grin into the beady eyes of Lord Varick himself. He matched her face with his own and made a show of bowing to her. “Miss Aya. To what do I owe the honor of your presence?”

“Lord Varick.” Aya curtsied. “To what do I owe the honor of your opening your own door?”

Lord Varick straightened and laughed. Sarcastic but civil, as always. “The maid is busy, and the butler is out on errands. But when I saw it was you through my peephole, I knew I had to answer.”

Aya looked at the black door. She did not see a peephole, but perhaps the color helped to obscure it. “Well, I hate to admit it, but I am glad you did. May I come in? I have some exciting news.”

Lord Varick’s black eyes sparkled. “I expected nothing less at your arrival. Please, let us retire to the sitting room.”

He held the door wide open and gestured for Aya to enter, pointing his cane down the hallway. She walked past him into the estate and seated herself in the armchair in front of the fireplace. Despite not having staff on hand, Lord Varick still had a blazing fire and an assortment of fruit and cheese laid out on the table. Aya felt better knowing that all the excess wasn’t about her; but then again, as she thought about all the water the palace had to invest to make the spread, she felt even worse.

Lord Varick sat in his usual place on the couch facing the wall of windows and the balcony. He twirled his upright cane between his fingertips. “Miss Aya, it is just us here. What is this grand news?”