Page 196 of Lady of Ashes

“Is there a reward for ?nding the Contessa?” Cyrus countered.

“Who said she was missing?” Auberon asked, his hair ruf?ing in the night breeze.

“Enough of this,” Talwyn cut in. “Is the Contessa here? And if not, where can we ?nd her?”

Auberon’s blue eyes swept over them once more. “She is not here, your Majesty.”

“And the second part of that question?” Talwyn demanded.

“She wishes not to be disturbed.”

“I am afraid this is a matter of urgency,” Sorin insisted.

Auberon looked him over once more before saying simply,“Come.” He turned and began walking towards the gates. “Unless you would prefer to scale the wall like your companions.”

“The horses?” Cyrus asked.

“There are stables,” Auberon replied, producing a silver key from his pocket and unlocking the gates.

Wards zipped along his skin when Sorin entered the gates, two horses in tow. Auberon was pointing them to the stables when he hissed, fangs snapping out. The Fae all turned to find a dagger at his throat and a shadow at his back.

Death’s Shadow.

“One of my own kind,” she purred. “Perhaps an actual challenge for once.”

“Who are you?” Auberon hissed again.

Nuri clicked her tongue. “Fire prick?”

“Release him,” Sorin sighed. “He is helping.”

“Who is he?”

Scarlett stepped from shadows to their left, and Juliette dropped down from the gods-knew-where.

“Eliza is going to be so pissed she is missing this,” Cyrus murmured again beneath his breath.

“Auberon Isra,” Sorin said to Scarlett when she came to his side. “He serves the Contessa. Auberon, meet my wife, Scarlett Semiria, Queen of the Western Courts.”

Auberon’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. “We did not hear news of a new queen here.”

“Then it appears we have much to discuss,” Scarlett replied, jerking her chin towards the villa.

Nuri stepped away, disappearing among shadows before somehow reappearing by Scarlett’s side a moment later. Cyrus cursed under his breath.

Auberon led them all into a sitting room in the villa, and when they had all taken seats on various chairs and sofas, Talwyn asked, “Where is Rosalyn?”

“In hiding,” Auberon answered casually from his chair. “Hiding?” Luan questioned.

Auberon nodded. “She became … concerned months ago. She went into hiding then.”

“Why not send for aid?” Luan asked.

“Rosalyn has controlled this territory without aid for centuries,” Auberon answered coldly.

“And yet now she is in hiding,” Talwyn retorted. “Where is she? We have matters to discuss.”

“Discuss them with me,” Auberon replied.

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