Page 60 of The Demon Crown

It was all so domestic. Everywhere she looked, there were people living in this jungle or rooms just waiting for people to join.

Another dome had Ivo’s sister sitting in it. She cleaned her blades, sharpening them while she instructed the two others. One of those two was just as tall as Ivo and Morag, but something about the woman made her think that she wasn’t the same as the other two guards. The other person in the room was a tiny little woman with spectacles on her nose. Her eyes looked far too large as she blinked up at Varya.

“Come,” Ivo said, his hand on her shoulder as he pushed her away from them. “They are busy.”

“Your sister and...”

“The large one is another of Greed’s personal guards. She’s been stationed in Lust’s kingdom for a while and only now returned. Perhaps she will remain there for good, I do not know. The other helps with numbers.”

“Numbers,” Varya repeated, eyebrows raising. “And yet she was in what looked like an armory?”

He grunted again. “She counts things.”

“Ah.”

Varya didn’t care to push more than that. Instead, she tilted her head back to the cool breeze and the sunlight. The air smelled so herbal in this place, and that mixed with florals as they walked by giant flowers the size of her head.

“Go left,” Ivo said.

“Left? Why?”

“Left,” he repeated.

Who was she to argue? Varya was just happy to stretch her legs. She would have walked right out onto the sands if he asked her to. Instead, she listened to his directions until they stood in front of a massive garden.

Rows upon rows of vegetables grew so large she wondered if they were there by magic. All along the rows were carefully tamped sections where people could walk, and the food. Oh, the food was so impressive. Watermelons larger than her head. Countless peppers and tomatoes and bright green things she couldn’t name but looked delicious and made her mouth water.

And it smelled like earth. She inhaled and filled her lungs with the scent of dirt and loam and healthy plants. It made her heart flutter in her chest. She’d wanted to see this at least once in her life, and here she was.

“Oh, Ivo,” she whispered. “What a gift to see this.”

“Indeed,” he replied. “This is my favorite place in the oasis.”

“I can see why. Look at all the—” Varya’s words froze in her throat.

Because at the very end of the garden was a young woman pulling weeds. She had a smear of dirt across her forehead and the riot of red curls bursting around her head was so lovely that she looked like a rose that had come to life. And as Varya looked up at Ivo, she could see how he couldn’t tear his eyes away from the young woman.

“Oh,” she said. “I see.”

“It is most useful to keep everyone in the Oasis fed.”

“Right. Of course, that’s why it’s your favorite place.” She nudged him with her shoulder, forcing him to take a step forward. “Why don’t you go talk to her?”

He stared down at her with wide eyes filled with fear. “I cannot.”

“Why?”

“Because she...” He swallowed hard and the panic really set in. “She is a servant.”

“So are you.” Varya shrugged. “Why does that matter?”

“It wouldn’t be right. She’s human, and I’m....”

He froze, and she realized he wasn’t supposed to say that. So Greed’s guards weren’t human. She’d find out exactly what they were soon enough, but she needed to win his trust. And pointing out his mistake would only make him run.

Varya patted his massive shoulder and shrugged again. “I think nothing matters all that much unless you let it. It’s just saying hello, Ivo. You can do that.”

“I do not know if I am wanted.” He seemed confused by the words, though. As though he’d never thought about whether or not someone might wish to speak with him.

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