Page 96 of To No End

As he said the words, he ran a finger gently along the yellow feather covering my breast. I couldn’t believe the audacity of his touch; I was practically a stranger to him. He thought I was in his trap, but he didn’t know the web was mine.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll fly away?” I teased. “Let’s get Lorne first so she can join us.”

Without waiting for his agreement, I grabbed his hand, leading him up the staircase toward the back wall and in the direction of the ladies’ room. When Gia was not there waiting for me, I took the opportunity to part with Nix just for a moment.

“Wait here, let me see if she’s still in there.”

He looked annoyed, but also knew that he probably wouldn’t have much luck winning my favor if he commented.

I went inside the room to find Gia behind a curtained stall, and it was like looking into a mirror. She had shifted into me and transformed her dress to match mine. I could see there wasn’t a hint of difference.

“Gia, he doesn’t like strong females. Be careful,” I said with a warning.

She nodded. “Trust me, I know his type. I’ll be his sweet little daffodil.”

“He’s going to lead you toward the viewing on the terrace, but he’s as warmed up as they get; keep him busy. I’ll make my way to the others.”

When Gia left the restroom, I could hear the bells still ringing and peeked around the corner watching guests scurry by toward the terrace exit at the other end. Gia locked her arm in Nix’s and let him begin to lead her away. I heard her say, “I’m not surewhere Lorne went, but you’ll stay with me, won’t you?” Gods she was way better at this than me.

With the guests heading in the opposite direction, I hastily performed a glamour trying to conceal myself as I walked away from the terrace towards the bedrooms.

When I arrived, Varro was standing in the doorway. Inside the room to the immediate right was a closet. When he gave me the hush sign across his lips, I knew it meant that the nanny was secured and sleeping. He needed to remain in close proximity for his Siren Song to keep her asleep. I ignored the fact that I could see him eyeing my dress, just like all the other guests had.

It’s just a dresswas all I could think, especially after the debacle it had caused us thus far.

Across the bedroom, I saw a young lady in a simple work dress and apron talking to two small children, a boy and a girl. She was whispering to them, and they appeared to trust her. That’s when I realized it was Nori. She had glamoured me and them to think she was the nanny. If you studied closely and knew what to look for, the illusion became more apparent, but there’s no way those sleepy children and their untrained eyes would notice a thing.

She grabbed each of their hands and began to lead them away from their nursery room.

As she passed me, I heard her say, “Don’t you worry, just come with me, let’s get a special treat. We won’t tell anyone.”

Once she exited the room, I peered back down the far hallway where I could see Cairis. He acted disinterested in the celestial showing and pretended to focus on his smoking pipe and the glass of liquor in his hand. People passed him one by one, ignoring his presence entirely. The guards that stood nearby treated him no differently than any other guest.

These people were so focused on guarding their wealth that no one seemed to think about the children, and it was sad—but worked in our favor. What an unbelievably wicked thing forNix to hide these stolen goods near his innocent siblings. It was reckless, putting them in harm’s way like this.

When Trace arrived, I took my place at the midpoint between Cairis and the bedroom. Trace and Varro began to dismantle the room quietly in search of the box. Saryn said we’d know it by the king’s emblem etched into it.

Ever since receiving the mission, I was curious not only about the box but also what other illegal items Nix might be hiding. I had made sure not to distract myself with those thoughts, ever since we built the plan for the mission. But now that we were here, it was harder to ignore them.

Part of me wished I was in the nursery helping them search, but I remained steadfast in my position. I waited for what seemed like ages. With each passing minute, I grew more nervous. Trying to look inconspicuous, moving about the upper balcony acting like I was fixing my dress, or admiring a painting. I made my way toward the wall of windows, and from there I was able to see the Canary Veil. It was truly a sight to behold.

The whole sky was lit in a yellow haze. Unlike the auroras which looked like smears of watercolors painted across the night, this was only one color, an entirely yellow sky. I could barely make out the faded twinkling of stars behind the blanket of color. It wasn’t anything like sunlight. I can only describe it as a yellow pane of stained glass held up over the pitch-black night sky.

I could hear the onlookers outsideoohing andahhing. I glanced back at the nursery and could hear Varro and Trace shuffling about. Nori and the children were still gone, off somewhere keeping them distracted with milk and cookies. Cairis, still on watch, had not sent any alerts or concerning signals.

As I continued gazing up out the window at the miraculous sky, I felt a warm hand snake around my waist.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” the silky-smooth voice said in my ear.

I turned to meet a male that was familiar, and yet not. He looked so much like Nix, but there were slight differences. Almost imperceptible, but there.

Before I could stop myself, I said, “Didn’t we just meet earlier?” Trying not to sound as confused as I was or too irritated that a stranger had touched me like I was his property.

He let out a small chuckle. “Ahh, my apologies. You must have met one of my associates. Someone with my wealth and business endeavors must employ specific practices to keep certain guests at a distance. I’m Fenix, but you can call me Nix.”

My teeth clenched tightly, and I tried to keep my breathing even and calm. I could not show him the alarm that was coursing through me. If this was the real Nix, then who in Gods’ names was Gia with?

“I’m Astrid, and what endeavors are those?” I whispered back nervously, before realizing a delicate flower would not pry—but it was too late.

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