Page 49 of A Hunter for Luna

When Lorenzo led us to the courtyard, a petite woman with flashing dark eyes and a beaming smile stood up from the bench.

“This is Palma, my wife,” said Lorenzo, pecking her cheek affectionately. This is Benedetto d'Alvarez and his wife, Luna.”

Palma swept forward, turning her bright gaze to me. She was about my height and build and wore a simple yet elegant gown, her hair perfectly coiled into an intricate braid. She took my hands in hers. Her touch was warm and welcoming, her smile genuine. "Welcome, welcome, you look like you've had quite a journey. I’ll have the bathhouse readied for you both.”

Benedetto opened his mouth to object, but Palma cut him off with a stern look. "Don't you argue, Benedetto d’Alvarez. You'll stay with us tonight, and that's final."

I couldn't resist a smug smile, casting a sidelong glance at Benedetto. "Well, if you insist."

Palma led me up a sweeping staircase to a guest room filled with a selection of dresses in various styles and colors, so I had something to wear of my choice once I bathed. I realized with a twinge of embarrassment that my traveling garments were hardly appropriate for visiting the upper class. I’d had little timeand no amount of space for baggage, and I’d assumed I would hire a seamstress to put together clothing when I arrived in Kalion.

That’s what happened in the stories I read anyway. I knew Vala ordered her clothing from a dressmaker who created them very quickly.

The room was bright and airy, with a large window that overlooked the garden. Palma carefully ignored Pip until it hopped onto the bed, preening and nudging her.

“May I?” she asked, a hand hovering.

“It looks like Pip wants you to pet it,” I answered. “Is there etiquette on dealing with drakes? I’ve never seen one.”

Palma laughed. “Nor I! They’re very rare. How did you...?”

She waved her hands as if implying I’d conjured Pip out of thin air.

“He came to us in the Drakewood and didn’t leave.” I couldn’t help but smile as Pip leaned into Palma’s gentle strokes.

“As for etiquette, you’re not supposed to really mention a drake, since it’s a symbol of magical power. That’s why it was surprising, since Bene didn’t mention you were a, um, unusually powerful and well trained.”

I gave her a mysterious smile. “No worries. And Pip likes attention, feel free to pet it whenever it seems to want it. Which is most of the time.”

As I sorted through the dresses, Palma chattered away, giving me a rapid-fire rundown of the latest gossip. "Oh, and have youheard? There's been a spate of mysterious deaths in the Imperial family. They say it's some sort of curse,"

I listened carefully, filing the information away. "A curse, you say. How tragic."

Palma nodded, her dark eyes wide. "Yes, and some say it's related to dark magic. But who knows with these things? The court is rife with rumors."

Dark magic?It could be connected to everything happening with Benedetto's search, given it was his family.

I selected a dress in a deep, rich red-purple, the fabric soft and luxurious against my skin. As I bathed, Palma continued to talk, filling me in on the ins and outs of Kalion society. I listened with half an ear, my mind racing with the implications of what she'd said about the Imperial deaths.

If there was dark magic involved, Benedetto could be in more danger than he realized. I frowned. If he was in danger, so were Rose and I.

Clean, I emerged from behind the screen, the dress fitting me like a second skin. Palma clapped her hands in delight. "Oh, Luna, you look stunning, That color suits you perfectly."

I smiled, twirling for effect. It was a little short, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed with lace and a few pins. "Thank you, Palma. You're too kind."

She waved a hand, dismissing my thanks. "Nonsense, my dear. It's my pleasure. Now, let's go down and join the men for dinner. I'm sure they're cooking up mischief and need supervision."

I followed her out of the room, my mind still churning with questions. What was happening? Who was behind the deaths? And how could I use circumstances to my advantage?

I didn't have the answers yet, but I was determined to find them.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

BENEDETTO

Leaning back in my chair,I swirled the rich red wine in my glass. The small study was dimly lit, the scent of burning cedar infusing the air. Lorenzo sat across from me, his expression uncharacteristically serious as he leaned forward.

"You need to take this seriously," he said, keeping his voice low.

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