The Kingmakers(81)

In the span of bare weeks, her life had been shaken to the core. The fall of her beloved Mamoru had come without warning. The exposure of Lord Aden had revealed that the peril of betrayal still existed. Simon was already on an airship on his way to Katanga for an unknown period of time. Tomorrow she would make the public announcement of her brother's “murder.” And Gareth's own imminent departure for the north weighed heavily on her. Where once their days had been bright with promise, even if false, now they seemed forever mired in politics, deceit, and death.

He stepped behind her and placed his arms around her. She did not react or lean back into him, as if afraid to allow herself to enjoy the moment.

“Everything will turn out fine, you'll see,” Gareth told her.

“I can't sense him.”

“Sense who?”

“Simon. He's too far away. I lost him a few hours ago.” A shuddering sigh escaped Adele, and she turned to Gareth. “He's out there alone. He's just a little boy.”

“He isn't alone, and he isn't a little boy. Simon is a young man, if you haven't noticed. And he has King Msiri to help him. Please don't worry. He'll return.”

“What about you? You're off to the arms of Flay and Cesare. This could be the last time—” Her throat convulsed, unable to voice her dismal thought.

“Shhh.” He stared into her eyes, sparkling like part coal and part diamonds. “I would enjoy having a meal together before I leave.”

“It's not like you can eat it.”

“I enjoy chewing as much as the next man. Flavor is overrated.”

His jest didn't sway her bitterness. “I'm not hungry.”

“You have to eat.”

“I'm not in the mood to talk pleasantries to anyone,” she insisted.

That Gareth understood, after all he was a consummate brooder. He kissed her throat. Her skin was cold. His warm breath made her shiver. He picked up his scarf where it lay with his gear and lightly wound it around her neck. “Here. Keep this. It will keep you warm while I am away.”

Her hands reached for it at first annoyed, but then relishing it. The lonely nights without him frightened her. Her fingers crushed the cloth. She didn't trust her voice, so she said nothing. But her chest shuddered with the swell of emotion within her. He stood with her for a long time, both of them staring out into the black.

Finally, he said, “I'll leave you alone. I have something to take care of, but then I'll come back.”

Adele started to remove his scarf, but he held up a hand. Gareth pulled one of her long red Persian scarves from the back of the door and wrapped it around his face.

“I'll wear one of yours,” he said. “This gives me a bit of color, yes?”

Adele forced a wan smile, but clearly her heart was not in it. He drew in her scent from the scarf as he padded out of the suite into the hallway, where he found Zarina pacing back and forth.

“Is the empress all right?” the maid asked, eyeing the colorful cloth around his face.

Greyfriar nodded. “She has much on her mind.”

Zarina wrung her hands. “She has barely eaten in two days. Almost three. She cannot go on like this.”

“She will come around.” He turned to go.

Zarina clutched at his cloak. “Please, sir. Do whatever you can do to make her take a meal.”

Greyfriar could smell the fear in her. The servant had always been hesitant around him; his masked face did not affect all humans positively. That she was asking this favor showed just how distraught she was over Adele. He reached out to her to reassure her, but she jerked back her hand. “I will do what I can. Don't worry.”

“Thank you, sir.” She curtsied before him.

Greyfriar headed toward the bowels of the palace and the kitchen. It was well past dinnertime, and the staff had concluded their work and had headed for their quarters, intending a good evening's rest before starting all over again tomorrow. The kitchen was quiet, and Greyfriar liked it. However, he had no idea where anything was. A plaintive cry at his feet attracted his attention. Pet was curling between his legs, apparently hungry, as he usually was. Most likely the cat was a regular in the kitchens, looking for scraps from a softhearted cook.

The cat gave another meow and then sat staring in front of a cupboard. Greyfriar took it as a sign. Reaching down to scrub the cat between the ears, he opened the cupboard. There were dishes inside, including one that had Pet's scent on it. He pulled it out and the cat grew more excited, only he didn't know what to put it in. He figured the cat would tell him eventually. He had more pressing issues, and he started opening more of the various panels looking for what he needed. Then he spied something familiar.