Page 31 of To Sway a Bard
Neo lifted his head, then glanced from Hans to Diana. “It’s real? It’s been found? How come I’m the only one who is surprised?”
Hans shrugged. “You weren’t here. We’d spoken about it at length?—”
“Argued,” Diana interrupted, eyes sparkling. “Nothing good can come of finding it. It’s a magical relic.”
“It’s a gift from the gods,” Hans went on. “Might be useful to have. Besides, now that we have an inkling of its location, I’m sure others do too. It will be a race to find it first. Perhaps no one should have it, that’strue, but if it’s going to be found, we should be the ones to find it.”
“Good. It’s settled, then,” Mother said. “Neo, there’s a bit of peace in our kingdom now. Your men will continue the good work you’ve begun, but your new orders are to take this Blue-Feathered Bard and find the buried harp. Between the two of you, I’m sure you’ll be successful.”
“Mother . . . ” Neo trailed off.
She stood. “This has been productive, but there are other responsibilities to set our minds to. Come see me before you leave, Neo. I’ll give you the details you need.”
With those words, she swept from the room, leaving Neo with his brother and sister. He glanced at them, but Diana stood, yawned. “I supposed it’s going to be boring again for a bit.” She winked at Neo as she slipped out of the room.
“I don’t like the idea of you going off with that thief,” Hans said. “Keep the parrot charm—I’m sure it will continue to protect you from her, although I get the idea she’s more likely to charm you than you her.”
Neo shook his head. “I’ll do my best.”
“You better.” Hans stood, then paused in the doorway. “Good job, by the way. It was your quick thinking that saved the kingdom.”
Neo glowed under the praise.
28
ZULA
Zula stepped out of the room where her father was resting and closed the door behind her.
“There you are,” came Neo’s low voice. “Do you have a moment? I want to talk to you.”
She fell into step with him, unable to keep the wistfulness out of her voice. “I haven’t seen you for days. I was wondering when we might speak again.”
Neo’s fingers slid down her arm, sending goosebumps across her flesh as he took her hand. Knots of worry tightened in her lower belly. It was over. The witch vanquished, the trolls appeased, the kingdom and her father safe. Time for them to go their separate ways.
“I want to show you something,” Neo said.
He led her to a private balcony with a view of the hanging gardens, bathed in the orange glow of sunset. Lush green ivy twined around the railings with purple flowers, faces lifted to the light. Nearby, a waterfall poured over a large boulder into a pool, and the air was perfumed with the fragrance of lotus, coconut, and something else. It felt like a fresh beginning.
“It’s beautiful here,” Zula offered, suddenly tongue-tied. She moved to the railing and leaned over it, letting the spray from the water dance across her face.
“You’re the one who is beautiful.” Neo joined her, standing so close their arms touched. His fingers found one of her curls, twining it around his knuckle. The silence between them lingered, stretched, filled with unspoken yearning. “I was thinking about you—more specifically, what to do with you.”
“Me?” Zula asked, trying to keep her tone light, teasing. “Don’t you have much better things to think about?”
“I don’t.” Neo nudged her. “Especially when the security of the kingdom is at stake. Even though you’re supposedly a reformed thief, I have to keep my eye on you.”
“Fair.” Zula side-eyed him. “How do you propose to keep an eye on me?”
“I want you to work with me.”
Zula laughed. “As a sheriff? What would I be, an associate sheriff?”
“No, no titles.” Neo moved his hand down her back.
A delicious shiver went down her spine, awakening a craving. Without thinking, Zula leaned into him.
“The queen has a task for us. Another job, hunting another relic.”
