Page 46 of Born of Starlight
A crease formed on Asterie’s brow—concern.It was not my favorite look on her. I shot her a pleading expression.
I added, “Trust me.”
She hesitantly nodded and pulled her black robe’s hood up, and I did the same. It would be strange if anyone recognized us, but I had no desire to be sent to Helos. There was someone there I’d never be ready to face again.
Asterie and I each held out a wrist, and Emmerick bound us together without question just before a Helos guard turned to approach us.
“What brings a Commander of Luz to our Corridor?” the guard asked Emmerick. He poked a stubby finger to the crest across Emmerick’s chest plate.
For the love of all things, please lie, you giant oaf.
“Hello, sir.” The boy’s courtly manners would do him good. “There is a bounty for these two—I’m bringing them to Queen Wymark’s Court for sentencing.”
The guard lowered his head to look at my face and then Asterie’s. “What is your name, girl?”
I could feel her brace through the cuff that linked us.
“Adelaide…” She paused. “Adelaide Bennett.” Her words were so certain.Fuck.
The boy had done well in lying. But the enchantress would get us sent to rot in some dungeon.
Emmerick stiffened. The guard laughed a hearty, full-bellied roar. Asterie visibly flinched at the noise, though her expression remained dull, emotionless.
“That’s a riot—she claims our fifth Enchantress’ birth name. The mystery hag. What cruel parents.”
I wanted to punch the man’s ruddy face. But that would surely draw attention, and we desperately needed tonotdraw attention. The guard pointed in my direction.
“And you?”
I hesitated. Damn racing thoughts.Speak.
Emmerick spoke for me. “It’s an unfortunate married name, isn’t it?” He glared at Asterie—as though to ask what she was thinking. “His name is Dario Bennett, her husband. He’s been mute since I captured them. They stole from the Central Palace—we’re not sure if they used magic to do so—the cuffs are precautionary.”
He spoke like this was no news at all, like it happened all the time that a Constable would be sent to catch petty criminals. He then placed a hand conspiratorially up to his mouth as though speaking in confidence despite the fact we could hear every word.
“The woman—she only stole some silver from the kitchens. But the male—he was caught stealing the Queen’s undergarments. So, it’s sort of a personal errand.”
Emmerick exaggerated a conspiratorial wink at the guard. Now I wanted badly to slap the boy on the back of the head.
The guard hollered with laughter once again, showing off his yellowed teeth—what was left of them.
“Alright to pass through, then?” Emmerick asked jovially as he gave the guard a hearty slap on the shoulder in camaraderie.
“Carry on,” the guard said as he fought back laughter.
I kept my eyes on the ground.
The guard muttered as we stepped away, “Undergarments, what a riot…”
We ventured further into the lifeless town.
“Very funny,” I whispered.
My teeth gritted, but when I looked at Asterie, her free hand was to her mouth, stifling a laugh. It was the most beautiful thing, and my anger with the boy vanished instantly. If he could make her laugh at my expense, then I’d continue to let him rake me over the coals to see her smile.
“You hesitated.” Emmerick shrugged, not looking an ounce sorry.
“Clever, really,” I admitted begrudgingly.
