Page 19 of Crown and Dragon

He froze in buttoning his trousers and eyed her smiling, beautiful face. “Do not tempt me, my mate. It’s this city…” Moving on to fixing his tomato hat—save me from this day, great Old Ones—he continued his explanation. “With all these people around you, I feel the undeniable urge to mark you with my scent.”

“Even though the humans won’t detect it?”

“Yes. I know. I’m a beast.”

She giggled and picked up the kitten who had befriended him. “A feral beast like this fellow?”

“Notthatbad.”

Her laugh eased his nerves and now that she smelled of him, of their union, his Fae blood cooled. Not completely, but some.

When Tahlia finally opened the door, the contact—a short human man with the same stupid costume they were wearing on his portly body—blinked at them.

He scowled at their faces, which were surely flushed. “I’m no Mist Knight,” he whispered as he pushed past them and into the safe house’s living room area, “but even I knowthatwasn’t in the plan. Also, that hat is a lot on you, my dear man.”

They followed him, Tahlia snickering. “It is.” Her gaze traveled up to Marius’s head.

Marius shut his eyes and begged all the powers of the world to make this day move more quickly from here on out.

The contact’s gaze snagged on the pile of kittens that had dozed off in a square of sunlight near the hearth. He blew out a breath. Then he faced them again. “Your disguise spell is certainly working.”

The way he said spell sounded akin to someone talking about a tragedy, but that was no surprise. Humans distrusted magic, and they believed the Fae were drenched in it. That was wrong, but perhaps they viewed some normal attributes as magical when indeed they were not. Marius wasn’t sure.

“There is a change in plan,” the contact said.

Marius crossed his arms. “Explain.”

Tahlia bent to check the knife she had tucked into her boot. “What’s happening?”

“Because of an incoming storm and the flooding that will likely be a problem in the Star Quarter of the city, King Durniad shortened the parade and will present himself, wearing the crown no doubt, in the morning. He will likely be at the fortress while you are attempting the heist. Once the tomato throwing begins, go to the fortress’s southern entrance. Get in and get out. Use the name Edward Newlington, and once you’re in, ask them if a storm is coming. If they’re with us, they’ll say, ‘the sky and ocean are tricky.’ Oh, and I meant to tell you that as hiredguards, you’ll fit in best if you participate in some of the foolish activities going on during the parade and so forth. Dance a dance if you’re asked onto a stage. Have a drink, not five of them, mind you, but an ale or two will be expected on a festival day.”

“Even from guards?” Tahlia asked.

“Yes. The guidelines for your behavior are up for debate. It’ll all depend on which captain is bossing you about at the moment.”

A spark of unpleasant heat sizzled under Marius’s breastbone. “About what I would expect from humans who tolerate pirates,” he said very quietly, unable to restrain himself.

The contact’s gaze flicked to Marius’s face, but he didn’t say a word in retort. Perhaps he agreed.

“The crown is still hidden in the same place though, right? That hasn’t changed?” Tahlia asked.

“As far as we know, the crown is still locked up somewhere under the fortress. You heard about the labyrinth and the potential traps, correct?” The contact removed a waterskin from his belt and sipped loudly. Sweat shone on his wide forehead.

Marius nodded as he and Tahlia packed their clothing into a sack left for them on the table. “But no details. Do you know anything further?”

“No. Only that building out one of the traps resulted in the death of Durniad’s right-hand man and a few people he viewed as less important.”

“Details, please.” Marius attached his dagger to the uniform’s broad belt, using a loop with a long metal button.

Tahlia did the same and he appreciated the fact that she remembered to tuck an extra blade into her borrowed boot.

The contact replaced the waterskin at his belt, then mopped his brow with his loose linen sleeve. “Of course, yes. But we have little time. What I was told was that Durniad commanded his team to house something incredibly dangerous down there. Hisright-hand man told him it wasn’t a good idea. When the trap or whatever it is killed the man, Durniad claimed the advisor deserved the death for his disloyalty, then Durniad murdered those who had agreed with the advisor.”

“Really nice guy, hmm?” Tahlia shook her head, her cheeks going pale.

“An absolute pig.”

Tahlia nodded. “So no other clues other than generally very dangerous?”

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