Page 50 of Fortress of Ambrose
“I wish I’d known you were coming. I would have welcomed you with all the fanfare our House has to offer.” She hooked her hands. “We could have put on a performance ofThe Lies We Tell. You know the play?”
He did. It was a tragedy where two brothers fought each other vying for power until they ultimately killed each other.Warning or threat?
“Not my type of show,” he said. “I rather likeDeath Flower.” The play was about a paranoid queen who killed all her children for fear of a prophecy that said her fellow blood would one day replace her. Only to be killed by her mother, who was her closest trusted friend.
Litze was stoic. Then she smiled suddenly. Her House was full of performers, but Litze Oralia was the master of them all. “Your aunt is well.”
“Are you telling me? Or asking?”
“I’m asking. I haven’t spoken to her in some time since we stopped regularly meeting. I’ve been meaning to check on her. Your cousin said she is ill?”
Goose bumps raced up Yagrin’s arms. Jordan swore Adola’s heart was pure. But this didn’t look good. His aunt wasn’t sitting on her hands at Hartsboro while the world devolved into chaos after shefailedat stealing the Sphere’s magic. Evenifher being sick isn’t a cover story, she would be planningsomethingto take advantage of all this chaos. That appeared to involve Adola running her errands, acting on her behalf. He felt sick.
“Walk with me. Tell me what brings you here. To feast your eyes and indulge your senses? Because if that is what you want, you’re in the right place.”
“No.” He was tired of speaking in code. He wasn’t his aunt, and he wouldn’t be placated with Litze’s niceties. “I’m working on putting things back right with the Sphere. To do that, I need your help.”
“You know I love to help your family. Such honorable people.”
He sneered.
“Nore Ambrose and I need to speak with you somewhere private.”
Litze stroked the back of her neck. “Nore? I’ve heard she’s very elusive.”
“She—”
“You know…” Litze roped her arm into his. “Before we get into anything serious, please allow me to welcome you to Begonia Terraceright. We put on a whole dance for your cousin.”
Yagrin’s annoyance ticked. She was delaying. He chose his next words carefully.
“I am hoping to get back to work soon.”
She shrugged, her cheeks rising as if he’d just complimented her hair. “The world is perpetually falling apart. Inside these walls, we don’t take part in the chaos. Life is too short, and art is too beautiful.”
“Are you saying your magic has been unaffected?”
She batted her eyes. “There have been challenges, but it will all sort itself out.” She patted his shoulder. “Everyone is so quick to get themselves in a knot over things. History tends to repeat itself, Yagrin. And you know who survives? Those wise enough to get out of fate’s way.”
He stiffened. The truth wasn’t working. Litze was as slippery as an eel. He knew how to deal with her type.
“You know, Iwouldlove a tour of the grounds. I’m sure Nore would love it, too.”
Litze brightened. “Have you two been traveling together for a while?” She nudged him in the ribs and called over a server carrying a tray of fluted glasses.
“We have. It’s been nice. How about tomorrow for the tour? It is getting late.”
“We have a gala tomorrow afternoon. Some of the most renowned graduates are traveling here fromallover the world. I’d love for you both to attend. We’ll welcome you properly. And afterward, I’ll give you the tour myself.”
“You’re so gracious, to receive with no notice,” he bit out. “We look forward to it.”
“I will have a garden house prepared for you and Nore.”
“Separategarden houses, please.”
“Oh? Alright.” She shoved both glasses into his hand. Then she pinched his jacket, which was well wrinkled and a bit dirty. “I’ll send Vestisers to your rooms in the morning to assist.” She was playing a role that he wanted no part in. The blue in Litze’s eyes darkened as she beamed at him.
He knew very little about this estate, its layout, its secrets. But they’d have to figure out how to find the Scroll themselves.Quickly.
