Page 114 of A Dance of Shadows

Aurelia’s expression immediately turns pensive. “He’s new to palace duty—came on board from the regular army forces just for this trip. Marc didn’t seem to know much about him. It’s possible he’s one of those who blames me for Tarquin’s death or thinks it coming right after my wedding was a bad omen.”

Bastien’s mouth flattens, maybe with the memory of the other soldier who attacked her, the one he cut down with an arrow. “Or someone else put him up to it.”

Aurelia hugs our gifts to her chest. “That would be even harder to prove. We could simply keep a close eye on him.”

I open my mouth to protest, but Lorenzo gets there with his illusionary voice first.“I don’t like that idea. The more attempts he makes without being caught, the bolder he might become.”

“I agree.” I stroke my fingers over Aurelia’s hair. “We shouldn’t take the chance now that we’ve identified a likely culprit.”

She exhales roughly. “What do you think we can do about him? It’ll look strange if I tell Marc to dismiss him when I just asked about the man and didn’t raise any concerns. I don’t know how he’ll react if I make what’ll sound like a wild accusation. And Linus definitely won’t care.”

“We don’t want Linus knowing what we suspect, just in case,” Bastien says flatly. “But maybe there’s a way… if we could find some other reason to point a finger at him. Once he’s arrested, he might reveal something about his other crimes.”

My spirits brighten at the idea. “And even if he doesn’t, he’ll at least be out of the way.” I cock my head, considering. “What could justify him being arrested in Accasy, Shepherdess? Something he could have on him that goes against your laws?”

Aurelia pauses in thought. “If he was carrying a certain sort of substance—something that’s a known poison—that would work.”

I snap my fingers. “Then get me a packet of whatever it is, and I’ll drop it into his pocket with a waft of shadow.”

“That only gives us evidence, though. Someone has to have a reason to discover it.”

“You could accuse him of suspicious behavior to create a reason for a search,”Lorenzo suggests.

“I still think Marc would find that odd, and Linus might decide it’s too much of a coincidence. But…” A smile returns of Aurelia’s face. “I could ask one of my friends to raise a complaint and let my parents know so they’re prepared to treat it seriously. Then the accusation won’t be connected to any of the four of us directly.”

“Are you sure they’ll agree?” Bastien asks.

“When it’s for our benefit, absolutely.”

Aurelia sets our gifts at the base of one of the trees and winds up the music box. As its tinkling song fills the air, she reaches for me. “I only got the chance to dance with one of you at my birthday ball. Now I think we need to make up for that oversight.”

I’m more than happy to whirl her around our makeshift dance floor for the several minutes the box plays its tune, keeping my arms tight around her. She winds the contraption up again to step into Lorenzo’s embrace, and then again for another turn around the clearing with Bastien now that we’re away from prying eyes. But I can’t help noticing the deepening pink in her cheeks that’s definitely not a flush of pleasure.

A similar irritation is prickling over my face from the cold. When the music box peters out, I pull her to me. “As much as I’d like to stay here with you forever, I think we’d better get you back to your bedroom before you freeze.”

“I’m fine,” Aurelia insists, but the little shiver that passes through her body contradicts her claim.

Bastien’s face darkens. “Oh, no. We don’t want to end this night with you getting sick.” He eases in to offer her a tender kiss. “We’ll have more time together in the future, Star. I’m glad we got this one moment with you today.”

Aurelia grumbles but acquiesces. We meander through the trees toward the palace, maybe at a more leisurely pace than if we truly wanted to end the interlude.

When we reach the spot where we met up, Aurelia reaches for each of us for one last kiss. Bastien and then Lorenzo head off a minute apart from each other so anyone who notices one or the other walking by won’t assume we’ve been conspiring together.

As I wait for my turn, a twist of defiance runs through my gut.

I might want her warm, but I don’t want to leave her yet. Why the fuck should I have to?

“I’m coming with you,” I say abruptly.

Aurelia’s eyebrows leap up. “What?”

“Show me your escape route. At least one of us should know how to get to you quickly. I assume there aren’t any guards posted near the entry point, or you wouldn’t be able to go undetected even by yourself.”

When she still hesitates, I press a kiss to her temple. “You don’t need to worry about me. I can hide in the dark if I have to. You got your birthday presents—give me this.”

She lets out a soft huff, but the corner of her mouth quirks upward. “All right, Prince of Persuasion.”

We ease on through the woods. I extend my awareness into the shadows draped across the trees, but I don’t sense anyone patrolling this area.

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