Page 62 of Dance with the Dragon Duke

Nom, nom, nommies,Ruby hissed excitedly, but Tomorrow couldn’t see where she’d gone. They were separated by so many people. She could sense her, could feel her energy radiating from somewhere in the ballroom, but—

“It’s all right,” the first footman said politely. He was a Lunar fae with familiar blue skin.

The second held her arm to help steady her. He was a mortal and just as familiar. His grip tightened. Seconds too late, she remembered the scoundrels from the alleyway outside The Boot. They boxed her into the corner, preventing her retreat.

“Fuck,” Tomorrow breathed, just as a canvas bag that smelled like dirt and old potatoes came down over her head.

Ruby, help! Get Dark!

“Sleep,” a rough voice hissed.

The cloying scent of moon magic filtered in under the canvas sack, and darkness took her.

* * *

Dark

Just before sunset, under a dusky sky, the duke waited inside a hackney on the corner of Dimmet Street, in front of a pawnshop that belonged to the notorious Bargainer. Dark held a card in his hand, checking the address. He was definitely in the right place,but to his surprise, no one was inside. Not a single candle or gaslight flickered through the broad windows.

Lord Jonas Moen rounded the corner moments later, breath misting in the winter air, followed at his heels by a fuzzy white cat that looked more like a cloud with legs than a feline. A top hat sat askew on his head, pushed to one side by his bracketed horns.

Dark climbed out of the hackney to greet them.

“Apologies, Your Grace,” Jonas said. “My employee Leif was supposed to see you in before I arrived.”

“Is he usually so dependable?” Dark asked sarcastically.

“Leif’s loyalties are to coin.” Jonas fished a brass key out of his pocket and unlocked the door to the small shop. “Coin is something I have in abundance, so yes, he’s usually much more dependable. I hope nothing’s gone awry with him, or I might have to feel bad when I reprimand him.”

The shop was stuffed full of shelving, but the displays were tidy and bedecked in treasures. Like a fae version of a hoard.

Jonas took off his hat, hanging it on a hook by the door. He rubbed his arms over his coat sleeves to warm them. “I’ll get the stove on.”

Dark’s horns and tail were still steaming. “I’m fine, and I am in a bit of a hurry.”

“Based on your finery, I’d wager you’re headed to the winter ball. One moment.” Jonas vanished briefly behind a counter. The sound of a small metal door clanging followed, and the scent of kerosene wafted by. “That’s better. Right then. Your message mentioned you had two precious items you wished to hock in exchange for . . . ?”

“I’d like you to help me secure a number of orchards up north in the Seelie provinces. It’s also my understanding that you own a ripe property just outside Whiteholm. It’s known for its fruittrees and a newly furnished country manor with elegant sitting rooms. There are several of them, I’m told.”

Jonas scoffed. He removed his top hat and smoothed his mahogany hair around his horns. “Your items would have to be precious indeed. Where are they? Surely something so valuable wouldn’t simply fit in your coat?”

The fuzzy cat jumped onto the counter beside her owner. She meowed for attention, which the Bargainer immediately gave to her. The front windows let in a great deal of fading sunlight.

Dark frowned, feeling exposed. “What’s in that back room there?”

“Storage,” Jonas said.

“Close the curtains,” Dark insisted.

While Jonas was busy covering the windows, the cat assisted him, climbing the curtains he was trying to shut.

Dark twisted the knob on the door to the storage room and opened it to his hoard. At his command, his treasures were there, ready for him. He dragged the Hell tree inside the pawnshop, his golden telescope next. Then he shut the door quickly.

“Good gods, man!” Jonas said, and his jaw went slack. “Are those blimming diamonds?” Rounding the counter, he reached for the tree.

Dark snarled at him, and the Bargainer’s hand snapped back. “You and your cat may not touch my things.”

Jonas rolled his eyes. “I need to at least be allowed to look at them. The gems could be convincing replicas.”

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