A Veil of Secrets Read online

  Zuri was the only other female I knew who had survived the attachment and removal of a sigil. If Henri thought for a second he might find a way to cure his soon-to-be wife of her dependency on antivenin, he would not hesitate to come. The trick was in whether he could convince his sister to let him go. Considering her husband came from this stock, I doubted she had the heart to deny Henri.

  Not to mention if he came, then Pascale could see her family and perhaps make her own peace.

  “We have company,” Asher murmured.

  “So I hear.” I turned my head. “At least there’s more white willow bark tea where Edan’s came from.”

  Pascale tromped from the trees onto the sand. Her shirt hung off one shoulder, her face burned a bright red and her lips were swollen. Oh dear. Lleu swaggered behind her, pleased as any male I had ever seen. I would rather charge a rabid ursus with my hands and feet tied behind my back than ask what had happened between them. From Pascale’s wide-eyed expression, I wasn’t the only one confused.

  “We’ve been searching for you for hours.” Pascale righted her shirt. “Is that Edan?”

  “Shh.” I put a finger to my lips. “He’s resting.”

  With hearing as sharp as his, he must have heard them coming too. When he didn’t stir, I took it as a sign he was quite content playing up his sickness, as if it wasn’t grave enough, to avoid them.

  “Oh,” she whispered. “Sorry about that. Can we join you?”

  Lleu glanced from Asher on the sand to me kneeling beside him.

  “We can come back later.” He chuckled. “Five minutes? Or should I turn my back and sneeze?”

  Asher sat up, and I sat down. He glared at Lleu. “I doubt you can count that high.”

  Lleu’s brows slanted downward. “Testy.”

  Covering my smile, I asked Pascale, “What brings you all the way out here?”

  “Old Father wants an answer.” She sat beside me. “To what, I don’t know.”

  “He made Edan and me an offer if we choose to remain in Beltania.”

  “Ah.” She adjusted her chains and got comfortable. “I thought he might.”

  “Why is that?” I had done no more than she had to protect his clan.

  “Consider this. All your life you tell people you’re a spirit walker. You tell people you can walk between worlds. People believe you, or they have convinced themselves they do. Religion is faith in the unseen.” She frowned. “Then the yellow death comes and people question why their gods would allow their children to perish. People question the gods. They start to lose faith. And then something unexpected happens. A harbinger of the plague arrives, only she isn’t. She is a good person who fate dealt a harsh blow. She persevered. She triumphed. She is walking, talking proof the gods do exist.”

  Lleu tapped the side of his head. “She’s smarter than she looks.”

  Pascale’s smile was beatific. “If only I could say the same for you.”

  “Old Father asked if Edan and I would stay here to protect his clan from future harm,” I said.

  “Whatever the reason, the offer has been extended.” She shrugged. “Will you accept it?”

  “We will.” Edan’s voice carried.

  Pascale twisted toward the sound and called, “Sorry about the noise.”

  He didn’t reply. He did, however, appear at the edge of the woods.

  Pascale almost swallowed her tongue.

  “Dear gods.” Her lips parted. “I can see now why you pretended to be married to him.”

  I scowled. “That tone is one I would rather not hear associated with my brother. Ever.”

  “Is he wearing anything under that silk?” She bit her thumbnail. “I bet he’s not.”

  I covered my ears with my hands. “I don’t want to hear this.”

  “Neither do I.” Lleu waved a hand in front of her face. “Stop staring. It’s rude.”

  Her gaze never left Edan’s bare chest. “Since when does my being rude bother you?”

  “Since you—” He turned her loose. “Never mind.”

  Asher scratched his jaw and pointedly ignored them. “Does Old Father expect a reply today?”

  “He does.” Pascale sounded distracted. “He’s asked that you join him for dinner.”

  “We can do that.” Pity I couldn’t plug my ears and follow the conversation at once.

  “They are dividing the land behind the city into family plots. I believe the Maratus clan will visit later tonight and bring supplies and tents.” She reached for my hand. “You and I will be neighbors.”

  “That will be wonderful.” Except for her shouting matches with Lleu. “Are you staying then?”

  “I am.” She finally returned her full attention to us. “I want to serve my time. I want to help.”

  “What about you?” Asher asked Lleu. “Will you stay or return to Cathis?”

  “Cathis. I wish.” Lleu sighed wistfully. “No. I’m here for the duration.”

  “We should get moving.” Edan rolled his shoulders. “I could use the exercise.”

  Pascale stood mesmerized by the sight of him stretching his wings.

  I jostled her shoulder as I passed. Edan was grown. Let him handle her sudden infatuation.

  For one thing, it would keep him from brooding over my relationship with Asher.

  For another, it rather amused me to see how his eyes widened when she set her sights on him.

  He set off through the trees at a blistering pace she couldn’t match thanks to her shackles.

  Lleu tromped off after them, lips mashed flat and color high in his cheeks.

  Asher and I exchanged glances, raised our eyebrows then followed them into Beltania.

  Upon reaching Old Father’s house, I was struck by how much the city’s condition had changed. Overnight, the streets had been swept and the debris cleared and stacked in a pile ready to be burned. Behind the elder’s dwelling, a smattering of tents lined what would become the new main street. The sight bolstered me. There were far worse clans to belong to than this one. Even with little choice, we were making a sound one, I believed. We may never be truly accepted, but nor would we be outcast.

  In a situation such as ours, it was a far better outcome than any I had dreamed for us.

  Old Father sat in his chair beneath his tree, snoring. The same young female from the day before sat beside him, mending shirts from a basket of slightly charred clothing. She glanced up and smiled.

  “How is he feeling today?” I pitched my voice low.

  She set aside her work. “He is well. Tired, but good.”

  Asher stepped forward. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Asher. This is Marne.” He indicated the rest of our party. “I’m sure you know Lleu and Pascale very well.” He hesitated. “And this is Edan.”

  The female ignored Edan, something Pascale had as of yet been unable to manage.

  “Pleased to meet you,” she said. “I am Yawi’oyi. I came with my kin when we saw the smoke.”

  I extended my hand. “You are from the Maratus clan?”

  Yawi’oyi stiffened, staring at my hand in honest surprise until I felt certain I had offended her. With a grimace, she straightened her shoulders and clasped my forearm instead. “I am.”

  “Pascale mentioned your clan would be bringing supplies.” I smiled. “You’re here early.”

  “It is a short walk between Maratus and Beltania.” She shrugged. “Why wait?”

  Asher extended his arm. “Why indeed?”

  “Forgive me.” Yawi’oyi ducked her head. “I am unclean. I should not have touched her.”

  Dear gods. She thought he had meant to strike her.

  “You have done nothing wrong.” I gripped her shoulders. “He only meant to greet you as I did.”

  Pascale leaned close to my ear. “You won’t break th
rough to her. Let her go about her business. It’s easier for the Maratus to remain unseen and unheard.” She hooked my arm and drew me a short distance away. “The Maratus are outcast Salticidae who live on a parcel of the clan’s holdings. They have broken the One Law. For them, there is no redemption. If you want to show this girl mercy, you would do better to pretend she doesn’t exist. Show her attention, and you will only cause her grief.”

  “I have heard the same said for slaves. I have heard the same said for me. I can’t ignore a person or treat her as if she is beneath my notice. There is no one lower than I am,” I said. “Look at me.”

  “I see you as clearly as I see her. Your circumstances are not the same.” Her lips flattened. “You think I’m being callous or cruel, but if they stay much longer, you’ll see for yourself what I mean.”

  “I’m sorry.” I squeezed her shoulder. “It’s a sensitive subject for me.”

  The sound of Edan’s voice turned my head.

  “If any person raises their hand against you, tell me,” he said, “and it will never happen again.”

  Yawi’oyi cringed. “I want no trouble.”

  “I better handle this.” I left Pascale to pry my brother from his target. “Let’s talk, all right?”

  His stiff gait made me work to pull him out of earshot of the others.

  Because of our upbringing, Edan met violence with extreme violence. Harm a female, and he came unhinged. I worried that one small reaction might have gained poor Yawi’oyi a guardian during her stay. Already Edan tracked her, and nothing I could say would help.

  “Pascale warned me not to interfere where the Maratus are concerned,” I told him.

  He scoffed. “Pascale is spoiled. She is so used to overlooking people, she has no idea what harm can come of turning a blind eye to a person in need. In this matter, I must follow my conscience.”

  “I figured you would say that.” I sighed. “The size of your heart is one of your best features, but it makes for an easy target. We can’t afford to alienate the Salticidae. If they have some type of feud running with these people, it is not our concern.” Old Father must understand that. “Promise me you will strive to understand her situation before you seek to worsen it. That is all I’m asking from you.”

  He grunted. “There have been times when a generous hand earned us generous punishment.”

  “Exactly.” I was grateful he understood. “Now, are you ready to meet with Old Father?”

  “Yes.” He rubbed his neck where his sigil once rested. “I want this matter settled.”

  To avoid involving the Maratus, I asked Pascale to wake Old Father. His chair creaked when he stood, and his jaw popped when he yawned. He gestured for his walking stick and herded us inside his home.

  Pascale shadowed him until he sat in his chair. She found extra pillows and tossed those onto the ground for us. She had decided she ought to be present for negotiations, which meant Lleu remained as well. Once the four of us were settled, Old Father thumped his walking stick against the dirt floor.

  Our meeting commenced, and the bargaining went as expected. Edan and I had a clan now, and a place to call home. There were other ceremonies involved if we wanted to become full members and have all the rights that came along with such a commitment. We told Old Father we would consider it.

  Belonging would be nice. Acceptance would be better. Both required time if they came at all.

  Fortunately for us, now that we had secured our dayflower supply, we had nothing but time.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Fabric rustled at the entrance of my tent. Dust motes stirred as sunlight sliced through the gloom of the interior. Asher stood at the flap, holding back the fabric. He shifted from one foot to the other.

  I took a moment to admire the neat part in his hair. His clean, freshly shaven face. His clothes fit him well. His boots shone. This was the Asher I had first met, and his grim expression worried me.

  He cleared his throat. “I’m never sure how to announce myself at these things.”

  Two weeks had passed since the last time I saw him. My heart remembered. It swelled until my chest felt too tight, like a bubble ready to burst at the slightest touch. I had difficulty breathing when his gaze settled on me, his eyes so dark and yet so warm. The urge to taste his lips overwhelmed me.

  “I’m told the Salticidae string shells or a hollow reed outside the flaps so that guests can rattle or thump until the owner of the tent arrives.” I dusted my hands on my skirt. “What brings you here?”

  His lips pursed, not liking that question at all. “Can I come inside?”

  “I…” I weighed my wants against propriety and found myself at odds.

  He glanced left to right down the street. “We could go someplace else if you like.”

  I peered around his side. “What’s that in your hand?”

  “A gift.” He drew his arm from behind his back. “For you.”

  I studied the light blue fabric wrapping the small square. “A gift. For me.”

  His face cracked into a smile. “That is what I said.”

  “Edan is the only person who—” My throat closed. “You didn’t have to bring me a present.”

  “In this case, I think I did.” He picked at the bow on top. “You see, I’ve been home.”

  “Home as in Cathis?” I started. “I thought you only meant to deliver our letter to Henri.”

  “Henri’s departure was delayed. His brother, Armand, was to be married the day after I arrived. There was also the matter of him packing enough supplies to make the visit worthwhile. He plans to arrive within another week with reinforcements.” Asher ducked his head. “I figured that bought me a little time to handle a personal matter before returning.” He peeked at me. “I hope you didn’t worry.”

  “I did.” I put my hands on my hips. “Since you came prepared to bribe me for my good opinion, I can hardly complain.”

  “It is not a bribe,” he said slowly, “but it does come with strings attached.”

  My excitement waned. “Isn’t the nature of a gift that it must be freely given?”

  “Marne.” He reached for me. “I must be doing this wrong.”

  “It depends.” I approached him, and he joined our hands over the threshold. “What are you doing?”

  “I went to see my mother. Once I had assured her I wasn’t there for gold or for a place to stay, it was a nice visit. I haven’t seen her in…a long time. I discovered I have two new little brothers.” His smile was brief. “It cost me almost all I have, but I retrieved what I went there after.”

  From what I had heard, anything could be bought from the black-market stalls in Cathis.

  I tried to withdraw. “In that case, I hope whatever you retrieved isn’t in that box.”

  “It is in the box.” He thrust out his hand. “Open it.”

  Sweat broke out over my body. Surety flooded me that whatever was in it, I did not want it.

  “I’m not sure that’s wise.” I shoved it back to him. “You paid for it. You can keep it.”

  “I don’t have any use for it.” He set the box just inside my tent. “This was meant for you.”

  I eyed it the same as I would a poisoned apple sliced and plated for me.

  “Open it or don’t.” He lowered the flap. “Just don’t return it. Please.”

  Thanks to my keen eyesight, my vision adjusted to the dark as easily as it had the light.

  The box sat there, mocking me. Its cheerful bow and neat wrapping made my fingers itch.

  I curled them into my palm.

  Strings attached, he said. I wanted no part of being strangled by obligations. This was my fresh start, my new city and new life. Whatever was in that box threatened those freedoms.

  The flap rustled, and my heart leaped. “Asher?”

  “Is he back?” Ed
an stepped inside and onto the box. “What is—what was that?”

  I covered my mouth. “Oh no.”

  I lunged to rescue the box before Edan finished scraping it from his boot.

  “A gift?” His puzzled expression smoothed into one of irritation. “Asher was here.”

  “He didn’t come inside, if that’s what has your wings in a twist.” I cradled the flattened gift. The fabric sagged in my hand. Its jaunty bow slid to the floor. “I should have opened it. Now it’s ruined.”

  Edan scooped it out of my hands and unwound the fabric. “There’s only one way to find out.”

  I grabbed his arms, but he slipped free of me. I had him by the wing when he cursed in a soft voice I wasn’t sure I had ever heard him use before. I released him and circled around to see what held his attention.

  He had crumpled the fabric in his fist. The smashed box was torn to shreds. My gift was…

  “Is that a bracelet?” I reached for it before I realized I meant to take it from him.

  “It’s a marriage cuff,” he croaked. “What did Asher say to you? No. What did he ask?”

  “Nothing.” I held the warm gold armband in my hands. It was the width of two of my fingers. Any thinner and it would have been crushed beneath Edan’s heel. Thankfully the box had padded it well. “I mean, he said he had a gift for me. That it came with strings attached. That was all.” I marveled at the intricate pattern stamped into the metal. “He said he retrieved it from his…” I groaned. “It was his mother’s.”

  Edan scrubbed his face with his hands. “He wants you to marry him.”

  “He hasn’t asked me anything yet.” I was tempted to try the cuff on, but I resisted the urge.

  He jabbed his finger at it. “With a gift like that, it’s only a matter of time.”

  I smoothed my thumbs over the design. “Do you really think so?”

  Edan grumbled, “I’m surprised he isn’t here now, pressing his case.”

  “That isn’t his way.” As I said it, I realized how true it was. “He had his choices stolen once. He would never subject another person to that. He gave me this, and now he’s giving me time to think.”