Bone Crier's Moon (Bone Grace #1)(94)

I’m supposed to begin the dance, I realize. I’m supposed to show why I’m perfect for him and he’s perfect for me. But all I want to do is bury myself underground.

I shoot a scathing look at the silver owl. Has everything she’s guided me to do over the past weeks been a trick to turn me into a Ferrier—and after that, the new matrone of my famille?

“Forgive me.” The boy combs nervous fingers through his hair. “I thought I heard a familiar song.”

I frown. “This isn’t the first time you’ve heard it?”

He lifts a shoulder. “I suppose I thought . . . you would be her.”

“And who is that?”

His heavy gaze drifts to the other side of the bridge. “I don’t know. I never learned her name.”

My pulse skips. “But you saw her?”

“She was only a specter in white from Beau Palais.”

Beau Palais? I rapidly assess his clothes. He’s in uniform, with medals pinned to his chest. He must be a decorated soldier.

“I left the castle as soon as I clapped eyes on her,” he confesses, “but by the time I arrived, she was already gone. I caught a glimpse of her auburn hair as she ran into the forest with her friends.”

I stare at him, my disbelief raw and biting. My ritual tonight worked. It brought me Ailesse’s amouré. But it isn’t Bastien. “They weren’t her friends,” I say coldly.

His eyes widen, and he steps closer. “You know her?”

“Ailesse is my best friend,” I reply, bringing the knife from around my back to my side. I grip it tightly beneath my cloak. And now I can save her.

Acting as Ailesse, I lured this boy here. And as Ailesse, I will kill him here.

“Ailesse,” he repeats sacredly. “I have to meet her. Now.” He grasps my arm, and I stiffen. I’ve never been touched by a boy. “I’ve barely slept this past month,” he says. “The people in Dovré are ill and becoming desperate. They’re starting to fight among themselves. Yet, I must confess, what troubles me most is this . . .” He shakes his head and splays a hand over his heart. “I don’t know how to explain, but it’s why I walk the ramparts of Beau Palais at night to keep watch on this bridge. I foolishly hope she’ll return.” He laughs self-deprecatingly. “I don’t understand why I’m drawn to her. You must think me ridiculous.”

“No, I know the power of that feeling . . . it can’t be ignored.” No amouré has ever resisted it.

He studies me a moment, and his mouth curves into a warm and grateful smile. A dimple even caves in his right cheek, which isn’t fair. I can’t deny he’s beautiful. More than that, he’s also kind and sincere. Is it wrong to be jealous of Ailesse after everything she’s suffered?

“I was beginning to fear I’d lost my right mind,” he says. “Thank you for understanding.”

“Of course.” My grip slackens on my knife. Killing him won’t free Ailesse from captivity.

His teeth catch the corner of his lip. “Do you think . . . ? Would you be willing to introduce me to your friend?”

I lower my eyes. “I wish I could.” Do I really? “But I don’t know where she is. Those people you saw her run away with . . . they abducted her. I haven’t seen her since the night you saw her,” I lie. “I’ve been searching for her, too.”

Ailesse’s amouré’s smile fades. His dimple vanishes, and his stone-blue eyes harden. “She’s been abducted?” he says. I nod. He paces away from me, his fingers steepled on the bridge of his nose. “I should have known. I should have done something!” My brows lift at his surprising burst of emotion. Are all amourés so passionate? He leans his hands on the stone parapet with his head downcast. “If I’d arrived sooner that night, I could have saved her.”

I move to stand beside him, strangely wanting to comfort him. At least one other person is as concerned about Ailesse as I am. “If anyone is to blame, it’s me,” I murmur. “I was there that night, too, and I also failed to save her. The attack . . . it was masterfully planned.”

His eyes reflect my distress. “What can we do? Where have you searched for her?”

“She was in the catacombs at first. Maybe she still is, I don’t know. Those tunnels are a labyrinth. It would take ages to navigate every passageway.”

His fingers drum on the stones, and his jeweled ring sparkles in the moonlight. “What if I help you? I have an extensive map of the catacombs.”

The silver owl screeches, and I spin around. She pushes off the post and launches straight for us. I gasp and spread my arms protectively in front of Ailesse’s amouré. The owl zooms close, then suddenly veers right and swoops around us. She screeches again and returns to her post.

I gape at her, stunned by whatever just happened. Ailesse’s amouré gives an amused laugh. “What an odd creature.”

I force a grin. Is the silver owl warning me not to hunt Ailesse with this boy? Or is she encouraging me?

His eyes drop to my hand, and he suppresses a smile. “I think we’re safe now.” He winks.

I realize I’m holding my bone knife in plain sight. “Oh.” I blush and sheathe it. “Sorry. This bridge makes me uneasy.”