Page 83 of The Iron Dagger
“Most definitely,” said Ambrosius, a stoop-shouldered old man with a bald spot that rivaled Corvus’. “We’ve had excellent output from the formerly abandoned east sector. Once we cleared out the gas, we found a seam of cobalt that should pay out for years.”
Hara’s hand gripped her glass. How many prisoners were sacrificed before they determined that the gas had been cleared? How many more were there now, breathing air thick with noxious dust?
Disgust rose in her throat, but suddenly Hara thought of the witch that had been imprisoned for her magic seeds. She had refused to work with the farmers and that had left her naked and wretched in the hold beneath the Recruiter offices. If Hara spoke against the richest mine owner in Perule, that could be her fate. Corvus seemed warm and jovial now, but she knew the niceties were only surface level. Any ill words towards his business partners would surely come with consequences.
She held her tongue and smiled pleasantly at Ambrosius as she took a sip of her drink.
A new song began to play, a slow waltz, and Gideon turned to Hara as planned.
“I must go and find my mother—she might need my help welcoming the ambassadors from the Mycan court.”
With a gentle squeeze of her hand he left them, and Hara was alone with Corvus and Ambrosius.
“Oh, this is my favorite dance,” she said, turning to gaze longingly at the couples turning a few paces away. “Gideon promised me a dance tonight, but who knows how long he’ll be gone. What awful timing.”
As Gideon said he would, Corvus placed his glass of mead on the tray of a passing servant and held out his arm to her. “I cannot have you being a wallflower, my dear. Not when you are the guest of honor.”
Hara smiled brightly at him, set aside her glass as well, and took his arm. He led her to the group of dancers, and they seamlessly joined the swirling couples. Corvus’ meaty hand clasped hers, and Hara tried to memorize every aspect of his rough palm, his piney scent, and the sound of his slightly wheezing breaths.
It was almost too tempting to let the influence overtake her senses now, but she had to keep her wits about her. She had the Empirator of Montag in her grasp, and she would not let him go for the entire length of the slow song Gideon had selected.
Before even a minute had passed, however, a slim gloved hand tapped Corvus’ shoulder.
“May I?” Commander Falk asked, his slight form and austere face such a contrast to Corvus’ ruddy boisterousness. Hara’s stomach sank.
“Now where did he come from? This one is a snake, Lady Hara. He’ll sneak up on you when you least expect it!” boomed Corvus with a grin, grabbing Commander Falk by the shoulders.
“I’m only thinking of the lady’s reputation, Corvus. She can’t be seen with rabble like you,” said Commander Falk with a poke to Corvus’ chest. Hara watched this exchange of insults with bemusement.
Corvus bowed to Hara and took up another glass from a passing servant as he strolled into the crowd and was immediately swarmed with courtiers. Hara felt Commander Falk’s hand slide around her waist as he began to lead her through the dance, and she brought her attention to him.
“I’m surprised Gideon did not wish to have the first dance with you,” said Commander Falk.
“He was off to find Lady Falk and help her greet guests,” Hara said, smiling weakly.
“Was he? I would think, as infatuated as he is with you, that he would wish to stay by your side all night.”
Hara did not know what to say to this, so she thought it best to smile and say nothing.
“What a lovely gown. Seers wore this color in the old court, as I recall.” His eyes flicked to her bare throat. “But no jewelry? I thought Eleanora had taken you to buy some.”
More smiles, more playacting. Hara’s face was beginning to ache.
“Oh, no. I could not accept such generosity after she paid for my dress. And besides, I cannot abide the touch of most jewelry.”
“Such a pity. Gold would look so well on you,” he said, his lopsided mouth quirking in a grin that made Hara want to run. He knew she had used silverware, and now had caught her in a lie.
Before she could speak, Gideon’s voice reached her like a warm beam of sun on a chill day. “May I cut in?”
“Of course, my son. Enjoy her,” said Commander Falk, offering Hara’s hand to Gideon. She tried not to be too hasty as she took Gideon’s hand and began to dance with him.
“I saw the plan had gone awry and I came over here as quickly as I could. You got close to Corvus?” said Gideon in a low voice.
“Yes, I danced with him for at least a minute. That should be enough for me to get clear visions.”
“Good,” said Gideon, holding her closer. “I hope my father didn’t do anything too upsetting.”
“He mentioned jewelry, and I had to lie to him. He knows, Gideon.”
