Page 97 of Destroyer

“I’m going to find Gwyn,” she said, handing her empty glass to Archie, whose mouth hung open in shocked annoyance as she swept into the sea of merry academics.

The musicians played a fast-paced dance, working the partygoers into a tumult of dancing, laughing, drinking, and spilling of drinks. Ru dodged past the dancers, the now sticky soles of her shoes picking up bits of paper and flower petals as she went.

At last, through the milling academics, she caught sight of Lord D’Luc.

His golden hair and statuesque bearing made him impossible to miss. He was conversing animatedly with someone, and as Ru moved closer, she saw that it was just as Archie had said. Gwyneth, in full regalia of low-cut dress, blonde hair piled high, and dark pink on her lips, was putting on a spectacular show. She laughed coquettishly, brushing her décolletage with the tips of her fingers, hanging on his word with wide dark eyes and parted lips. Lord D’Luc would have seen through it instantly, Ru thought, but he seemed happy enough to play along.

Ru pressed through the last of the throng, until at last, she came to stand next to her friend.

“Ru!” exclaimed Gwyneth, smiling far too widely. “You’ve joined us at last. Lord D’Luc, you remember Ruellian Delara?”

He took Ru’s hand, as he’d done in Mirith all those weeks ago, and brushed his lips to her knuckles. “How could I forget? A pleasure to be in your presence once again, Miss Delara.” His dark eyes caught hers and held them.

“The pleasure’s mine,” she said, trying to adopt an air of exaggerated sweetness, though it paled in comparison to Gwyneth’s performance. “I hope you’re enjoying the party. We’ve been anticipating this visit with great enthusiasm, as I’m sure you’ve guessed.”

Lord D’Luc’s face lit with a smile, his cheek dimpling slightly. He was more handsome than she remembered, his features so perfectly formed, that in Ru’s mind, he was objectively the most beautiful person in the room. With bright golden hair framing his face, his silken jacket and waistcoat the color of the moon, embroidered in gold, he appeared almost angelic.

“I’m practically euphoric in the face of such a welcome,” he said, never taking his eyes from Ru. “Miss Delara, your letters have been the light of my existence these past weeks. Such comprehensive descriptions of the work you’ve done, your meticulous inferences, the thorough data… I beg you, come now and speak with me. I feel as if your mind is the only one in Navenie that can stimulate my own in matters of science. I have so many questions.”

He held out a hand, and Ru took it.

How could she have forgotten what a pleasant, thoughtful man he was? Lord D’Luc had taken on the form of a specter in her mind since the first letter from her brother; since the Children had come to hover over her research like ever-present wraiths. Lord D’Luc, like the regent, had become a distant yet demanding overseer, one whose punishment could come swiftly and painfully the moment Ru’s research stalled.

But she began to think that some of her fears may have been a figment of anxiety. He was a gentleman, a man of science and logic. Surely, if she put her best foot forward, she could still convince him to let her team continue research on the artifact here at the Tower.

Tossing Gwyneth a reassuring glance over her shoulder, Ru allowed Lord D’Luc to lead her to the edge of the Great Hall, furthest from the musicians and the dancing, where they could converse more easily.

“I am ever so eager to learn,” said Lord D’Luc, without preamble, “why you have omitted your significant breakthrough with the artifact from your letters. I was forced to hear it from my colleagues, whose finesse with words are severely lacking in comparison to yours. Why deprive me so?”

Ru, expecting this line of questioning, had an answer at the ready. “I fell ill after the event,” she explained, putting on an innocent tone. “And by the time I was well enough to write, I had already been made aware of the Children’s report, and your imminent visit. I thought, wouldn’t it be wonderful if, instead of being forced to read my ramblings in a letter, Lord D’Luc could witness the thing in person?”

He seemed satisfied with this, sipping his drink with a courtly elegance that was so out of place at the Tower. “I’m beside myself with anticipation,” he said. “Would it be an affront to request a demonstration now?”

A tiny shock of cold ran through Ru. “Tonight?”

“But of course. Science and progress wait for no one.”

She composed herself, willing her nerves to remain calm. “That would be impossible, my lord. We haven’t arranged the lighting or set up the necessary precautions. We had planned to show you an official demonstration in a few days’ time. While progress waits for no one, science requires meticulous preparation.”

He smiled knowingly. “Quite right, Miss Delara. Please, call me Hugon. I’ve heard enough of Lord D’Luc this, Lord D’Luc that. This is a place of academia. We’re all equals at the Cornelian Tower, are we not?”

Ru didn’t know what to make ofthat; she had been under no illusion that most aristocrats would rather die than be called by their first name by a load of graceless academics. But she liked the sentiment, and if Lord D’Luc was determined to be as an equal, a peer, then she would be the last to deny him that. Even if it gave her pause.

“I think I agree,” she said, “although some of Mirith’s aristo families might not be of the same mind. I believe that science is for all and should be argued and discussed in the same manner by all, between every level of society without the fog of unnecessary social mores or prejudice. But… the fact of us believing that doesn’t make it true.”

Lord D’Luc chuckled, a low and charming sound. “You are sharp as a knife, Miss Delara. This is exactly why I am so eager to continue supporting the research of the artifact, here at the Tower. Contrary to the regent’s way of thinking, I believe that while your research continues to yield strong results, its study is best conducted here. At the palace, more crude matters of state could interfere. I’m continually haunted by the tale of your attack on the road north, and—”

“How did the regent get to the root of it?” Ru interrupted, all sense of decorum falling away, making room for curiosity. “Do you know who sent the guards who turned on us, what they wanted?”

His smile was strained for a moment, as though she was a silly child asking too many questions. But the expression passed as quickly as it came. “The threat, as such, has been eradicated.”

Ru could see that he was holding back, not sharing the whole truth. Maybe his openness with her was a smokescreen, a misdirection. After all, why should he let her in on courtly secrets? She was just an academic, not a member of the regent’s trusted circle. Not even a courtier. Science may be for all, but matters of politics, of the kingdom’s security, were not.

She wondered briefly if Lord D’Luc’s tolerance, if his openness, would endure if she failed to show him what he wanted to see. But surely it wouldn’t matter. He wouldn’t knowingly put her in danger… would he? She refused to believe it. He clearly thought highly of her, highly enough, at least, that he wouldn’t remove her from the post of head researcher.

While your research continues to yield strong results. She consciously stopped herself from chewing the inside of her lip at the words, the implication.

“I’m relieved to hear that you’d prefer to keep the artifact here,” she said, attempting to sound calm, despite her relief. “The Tower has no equal when it comes to research and progress. We take this project very seriously, and I look forward to showing you how far we’ve come.”

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