The Cogsmith's Daughter (Desertera #1)(95)

She forgave Lionel.

Not knowing when Lionel would return to his room, or exactly how to fix Penelope, only that she had to try, Aya kneeled before the grandfather clock and pulled out the bird’s pieces. When they all lay before her, Aya fished the vortric cog out from its hiding place between her ribs and corset. The cog glittered in the lantern light. Aya still did not know why it had been worth her father’s life, to her father or King Archon, but she knew that Lionel would never use it for ill.

Her eyes watered, and she placed a single kiss on the cog. “I’m sorry, Charlie.”

When her work was done, Aya wiped the sweat from her brow with the fabric of her toga. Atop her pillow, she set the chirping Penelope, beakless and one-legged, on her side next to Queen Lisandra’s barrette and folded dress. After a quick rummage through Lionel’s drawers, Aya found the last pieces to her gift. She scrawled her message, scratched out a few letters, and replaced the pen. Smiling to herself, Aya tucked the note underneath Penelope’s wing.


My Prince King,

I did the best that I could, but you have the key to the rest.

Yours,

The Cogsmith’s Daughter



The Desertera Series will continue in 2016.