Page 39 of Destroyer

“Yes, exactly,” said Ru, nodding eagerly. “I had planned to write another paper delving deeper into the areas where science and magic become indistinguishable, possibly introducing an element of spirituality to the mix, but I never came up with a thesis. And, well… the reception of my first paper wasn’t exactly encouraging.”

“You mustn’t let the capriciousness of academia dissuade you,” said the lord, his expression soft. He had such wonderfully long lashes, his jaw like carved marble.

A footman came sweeping over with desserts balanced on delicate trays, and in the brief chaos, Ru’s attention was drawn once again to Fen. His eyes were fixed on her, his expression still dark as a storm.

The regent stood then, daintily pinging a tiny spoon against a glass, and everyone turned to her, expectant.

“Thank you all for attending my dinner,” she said, smiling around as if everyone at the court wouldn’t have fought tooth and nail for the privilege. “And special thanks to Ruellian Delara, who has so fearlessly agreed to escort our mysterious artifact north to the Cornelian Tower, and to study it there in an effort to ascertain its true potential.”

There was polite applause about the table. Ru smiled uncomfortably.Fearlesslyagreed? She also found it disconcerting that knowledge of this artifact had spread so quickly throughout the court, and that nobody seemed alarmed by it. Although, she supposed her audience with Regent Sigrun had been public, and there likely wasn’t a soul left in the palace who hadn’t heard of Ruellian Delara or the artifact.

Venison, pheasant, and far too much wine all roiled in her stomach.

Across the table, Simon appeared at Fen’s shoulder and began whispering something into the man’s ear. They both looked terribly serious. So serious, in fact, that Ru felt almost annoyed. Why should they be so grim?Theyweren’t the ones who had to worry about the artifact, its incessant hum in her mind, even now. They didn’t have to contend with the memory of Lady Maryn’s face, the rising darkness, the horror of it.

Her fingers twisted in her lap.

The regent sat again, her announcements at an end. She directed a magnanimous smile toward Ru, who smiled wanly back. But Ru was no longer enjoying the dinner, if she truly ever had been. She regretted eating so much. Her stomach ached, and she suddenly felt too hot, suffocated by the close walls and elegantly dressed bodies and laughter and candlelight, all too close, too much.

She thought of the artifact, back in her room, which she had instructed Pearl to watch over but never touch. The black stone sat heavy in her mind. She needed to leave, to get out of this stifling room.

“Fen,” she said, but he couldn't possibly hear, not over the clink of silver on porcelain, laughter, and voices.

“What’s that, Miss Delara?” Lord D’Luc placed a hand on the back of her chair, careful not to touch her at the dinner table without her consent — the actions of a gentleman. “You look pale. Are you ill?”

There was a lull in the conversation then, and much to Ru’s embarrassment, she realized the regent had overheard the lord’s words. “Are you well?” Sigrun said, echoing the words from earlier in the day. “You've been through much, today.”

“I’m fine,” Ru managed.

“Escort her to her rooms, Hugon,” said the regent. “She’s obviously exhausted by the day’s events.”

Ru froze.Hugon? She remembered the man behind the regent, whispering into her ear. Golden hair, a glass-cut jaw… How could she have failed to recognize him?

“Of course, Lady Regent.” Lord D’Luc rose from his chair, holding out an elbow for Ru. “Let’s get you somewhere comfortable, Miss Delara.”

She turned to where Fen sat, hoping for some kind of escape, and was met with the sight of an empty chair. Where had he gone? And where was Simon? Exhausted and sick to her stomach, Ru had no choice.

She took Lord D’Luc’s arm, allowing him to lead her around the table to the exit.

“You’ll feel much better with some fresh air,” he said. Ru couldn’t quite believe it. This man in lovely finery, with a scientist’s mind and the appearance and behavior of a highborn lord, was Hugon D’Luc, the leader of the Children and the regent’s own advisor.

CHAPTER13

The realization of Lord D’Luc’s identity came as a shock, but Ru found herself more curious than intimidated. Now that she knew he was a man of science, he made an entirely different impression. Perhaps his interest in the Shattered City wasn’t strange at all, but a true passion for discovery. How could he have known that the artifact would be not only discovered there, but also cause a horrific incident?

No, that was Ru’s doing.

“You’re white as a sheet,” said the lord, steadying Ru with his broad arm. “You’ve pushed yourself too far today. Are your rooms near? Shall I call for water?”

Ru shook her head, directing the lord to her rooms. He kept up polite small talk as he practically carried her there, stopping once or twice so as to avoid her completely passing out. She apologized repeatedly and profusely, but he would hear nothing of it.

When they finally made it to Ru’s room, Pearl met them at the door with a mug of steaming hot liquid and a cold cloth, which she immediately pressed to Ru’s head. Waving Lord D’Luc away with one hand, Pearl shut the door with the other, leading Ru gently over to a cushioned divan.

“One of the footmen said you weren’t feeling well at dinner, Miss,” she explained, when Ru made a questioning noise at the steaming mug. “I could only guess you’ve overextended yourself.”

“That’s what Lord D’Luc suggested,” said Ru, sipping at the liquid. It was strong and spicy, just hot enough to hurt a little as it went down.

Pearl instructed her to sit and relax while the bed was turned down.

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