Page 80 of A Legacy of Poison and Lies

“My partner will take us. He’s the one who knows where it is.”

Malok hadn’t said anything about his contacts, other than that there were two of them. And there was the question of why Daizin couldn’t lead them to the key, instead of his partner, but instead, Zylah asked, “And why should we trust you? You’ve cheated me once, how do I know you won’t do it again?”

“You don’t. We leave at dusk. We’ll meet you by the stables, but we’re travelling on foot, so travel light.” Daizin was already on his feet by the time he’d finished speaking, and Zylah barely had a moment’s warning to slide out of his way. He didn’t so much as turn to acknowledge them before he left, easing his way through the busy tavern and heading for the door.

Holt slid onto the bench beside Zylah, placing the satchel between them in the shadows. “Tell me what needs to go to Cirelle.”

“All of it except the baylock.”

Holt raised an eyebrow.

“The bits poking out of the top,” Zylah said with a lazy smile, holding out a hand for the bundle of dried leaves.

Holt handed them over, the satchel disappearing a moment later. No one would have noticed its absence in their dark corner, and he understood the urgency to get them to Cirelle. “I’ve some messages to send. Things are changing in Virian. The Black Veil numbers were growing, but they’re a last resort. I need to make sure Zack has everything he needs.”

The familiar temptation to shove every thought and feeling into that empty hollow inside her rose to the surface, but instead, she let herself think of her brother, of the good he was doing back in Virian. Let herself feel nothing but pride at what he was trying to achieve for the Fae.

A drummer began a steady beat on the far side of the fire, revellers clapping in time to his rhythm before a woman began singing.

It was a farmers’ song, one Zylah had heard many times back in her village, but only now did she appreciate the words as the woman turned and smiled, urging the patrons to join in with her. It was a song about freedom, and it had half the tavern on their feet, clapping and dancing, cheering and whooping, and it reminded her of the Festival of Imala, watching the faeries celebrating in the botanical gardens, hidden from the humans.

Was it fear that made the humans hate them? Or was it because they had been taught to do so, by their parents and their parents before them?They wish for the same as us—to live freely, without fear, Holt had said back in the Aquaris Court. Such a simple wish, a right that should be granted to humans and Fae alike, without limitations, and for the first time, Zylah felt a flicker of sadness that she wouldn’t be alive to witness it.

They had no idea their new king was Fae, that he was plotting to wipe the board clean and start over, no idea that the Fae were on their side, and Zylah wished she could stand on the table and scream it, beg them all to realise what was coming.

But instead, she kept her attention fixed on the minstrel as she weaved through the crowd, her fingers wrapped tightly around her mug though she had no intention of drinking it. “I hope you have another ally with an army if this doesn’t go to plan.”

“Rose and Saphi haven’t had much luck in the Northern Territories, and there isn’t time to travel to Bhuja and Ilrith.” There was a tired edge to Holt’s voice, but not from lack of sleep, Zylah thought, though he’d ridden throughout the previous night to get them away from the thralls.

“We’ll stop him, Holt. We’ll put an end to all of this.”I am his, Holt had said when she’d pressed him about Marcus. It was his freedom he was fighting for, too.

I won’t let anything happen to you.She couldn’t bring herself to tell him that his magic wasn’t healing her like it had before. It numbed the pain, but it didn’t stop the spread, and for the first time she allowed herself to be afraid. Not for herself, but for him. That she might die and never see him secure his freedom.

She studied his face, but he’d shut down whatever she’d heard in his voice, his throat bobbing as he stepped away from the table. He tapped his knuckles against the wood. “The stables. Dusk.”

Zylah watched him leave, wondering if he knew he might not secure his freedomandhis life, too.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Kopihadjoinedheras soon as Zylah left the town gates. And as the last of the daylight began to fade, she made her way to the stables with a freshly brewed canister of baylock tea secured to her belt.

The paths were still busy, people weaving in and out between stables, traders easing their horses back to their carts before readying their harnesses. Zylah focused on the simplicity of it all, rather than letting herself think about what lay ahead. If she couldn’t find Malok’s key, they’d have wasted weeks at the Aquaris Court. Worse than that, there was the risk that if the healer arrived, Malok might deny her any contact with them.

She didn’t let herself dwell on either thought as she came upon the stable she was looking for. Daizin had said to travel light, but Zylah wasn’t foolish enough to go anywhere without her sword, largely concealed by the drape of her cloak. She’d picked up a heavier one in the market, along with a thick, wine-coloured sweater secured by her belt. As she rounded the entrance to search for any sign of Daizin and Holt, her hand instinctively reached for her weapon.

“What a handsome little fellow,” a familiar voice said. The biscuit vendor from outside the tavern stepped out from behind her and Holt’s mare, awe lighting up his face as he took in Kopi at Zylah’s shoulder.

Zylah chewed her lip. “You’re Daizin’s partner?”

The vendor smiled and held out a hand in greeting. “Laydan. I told Daze we’d catch up.” His grip was firm and gentle, and he slid another bag of biscuits into her hand. “I never go on a night hunt without snacks, and you’re looking a little peaky, if you don’t mind my saying.”

Zylah couldn’t help but smile at him. “Zylah. This is Kopi.” She followed Laydan out into the half-light but paused at the entrance to the stables. “We need to wait for—”

“Holt? I told him to go on ahead with Daze. He didn’t seem to like the idea of leaving you to catch up, but I filled him in on your rather terrifying performance earlier, and he seemed satisfied with the reminder of your capabilities. Is he always so brooding?”

Another smile broke across her face. “You get used to it.”

“Careful, this is meant to be a serious mission,” he said conspiratorially, his hazel eyes lighting up with mischief as he glanced at another vendor readying his horse.

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