The Merchant of Dreams (Night's Masque, #2)(73)

He closed his eyes, trying to force himself awake. He was in Venice, in Ca' Ostreghe, not in an imaginary forest built of Erishen's memories. He blinked and opened his eyes.

Olivia sat sprawled on the floor where he had evidently pushed her off his lap, her eyes bright with tears. Mal hastily fastened his breeches and helped her up.

"Forgive me, my lady, I am unaccustomed to–"

"No, it is my fault." She dabbed at her eyes and nose with a lace handkerchief. "I intruded upon your thoughts, seeking to know you better. It was a great discourtesy."

He helped her onto the couch. "How… How do you do that? Pass into another's mind without going through… the dark places."

"Practice," she said. "And discipline. Do you really not remember anything of your former life?"

"Only what you have seen," he replied cautiously. "I am as ignorant of our ways as a child."

She glanced up at him through dark lashes. "I thought you said you were pledged to someone. You have an amayi, to take care of you in the end times and beginnings?"

"Not really. I have human friends, lovers, but…"

"But they cannot know what we are."

"No."

"Then how did you become one of the Unbound?"

Unbound? Was that the guisers' name for themselves? "I don't remember much of anything. It was dark and…" And I was afraid.

She took his hand and squeezed it. "Next time it will be different. Next time I will be there for you, and you for me."

He looked down into her green eyes. The pain and loneliness in her voice was genuine, he was sure of it. What would it be like to walk down the centuries together, man or woman, turn and turn about as they pleased? It was an intriguing prospect, but one that would make him the enemy of his brother, and of Kiiren. And yet he had to learn to control this thing inside him or he would never have peace, with Olivia or with Coby.

"Please, my lady, will you teach me?"

"How to dreamwalk?"

"Yes."

She smiled. "Of course."

She took him in her arms again, not as a lover but as a friend offering comfort. Mal laid his head upon her breast. Dear Lady in Heaven, what am I doing?

But reply came there none.

CHAPTER XX

They arrived in Spalato around dawn, and Youssef escorted them to an inn on the main square. Two of his men carried Gabriel on an improvised litter, causing many a sleepy-eyed stare from the women visiting the well in the centre of the marketplace. The captain also negotiated a fair price with the innkeeper and lent Coby some money to pay for it.

"We can't thank you enough, Captain Youssef," she stammered when he told her.

"You are most welcome. It is thanks to you that the painted demons drove off those pirates; otherwise I would have lost many men." He bade her farewell and left the inn.

Youssef must have made an impression on the innkeeper, for they had been given the finest room in the place, with a bed large enough for twice their party. Gabriel already occupied one side, tucked up in thick blankets despite the mild air. Sandy still had his cloak on, and his knapsack was slung over his shoulder.

"What are you doing?"

"Leaving."

"For Venice? It's not safe for you to go alone." She retreated to the door and stood before it, arms folded. "I swore to Mal I'd keep you out of trouble, and I won't break that promise." Even though I have already failed once.

"Then you will have to leave your friend behind."

She looked past him at Gabriel. The colour had returned to the actor's cheeks and he had even roused briefly when they moved him onto the litter, but he was a long way from being fit to travel.

"I can't leave him alone in a strange city, not like this. He could still die unless someone looks after him properly."

"Then you will have to choose between us."

He gave her that smug grin, the one that made him look so much like his brother. Damn him.

"No. It is you who have to choose," she said. "Stay here for a few days whilst we work out how we're going to get into Venice without Hennaq catching us first, or dash off and risk everything. You can't do it alone, you don't even speak the language."

"Neither do you."

"True, but I know my way around a city. Do you?"

His shoulders sagged, and she started to relax. A moment later he slammed both hands against the door, one either side of her head. The planks vibrated against her back in counterpoint to her pounding heart.

"I have seen more cities than you have seen new moons, youngling," he growled. "Now let me go."

She drew herself up to her full height and looked him in the eye. "No."

"No?"

"No."

From the bed came a groan. "Is it morning already?"

Coby wanted to run to Gabriel and soothe him back to sleep, but she knew that if she did that, Sandy would leave.

"How are you going to get there?" she said in a low voice. "You don't have any money."

"I will find a way."

"Give me a day," she said. "Just one day. If I don't have a better plan for you by this time tomorrow, you can go with my blessing."

He appeared to consider for a moment. "One day."