Page 55 of A Thief to Die For

‘Because …’ I am fiercely attracted to your sister, and I can’t imagine it any other way.

Though that’s hardly the only reason for the gravitational pull I feel to Marian.

‘It’s okay if a person’s appearance matters strongly to you.’ Her sullen voice says the opposite. ‘I understand. It’s something I’ve experienced all my life. It would be so much simpler – better – if I just had a more pleasing face.’ She stands. ‘I’ll leave you.’

‘Agatha.’

She takes her time meeting my eyes.

‘You’re not unattractive,’ I say. ‘And I kind of want to punch whoever taught you that you were.’ It’s the truth. The more I get to know her, the more beauty in her I see. There’s a lot to love and some man will be lucky to have her.

We stare at each other for a few seconds before she dips her head, fighting a smile.

‘But to answer your question …’ I’ll probably regret this, but it feels like I’ve rolled too far down the hill to stop now. ‘For me, the most beautiful parts that make up a person aren’t what you can see.’

I think of Marian’s compassion for the Dresden and her willingness to sacrifice for them. Her loyalty. Her sense of honour. She lives by a code to protect people – the same one as m–

Agatha kisses my cheek.

I suck in a sharp breath.

But before I can say anything, she dips her head and leaves.

You’d never know from the infectious beat of the music – made with upside-down buckets for drums and hollowed-out sticks for flutes – that this place almost burned down last night. People sing too, as a group, even as they dance. There’s a wilder edge to it here than what I’m used to in Kingsland. It’s rougher, freer. I like it.

The Dresden not participating gather around the firepits and decorated tables. Lanterns light up the place, even though the sun hasn’t completely set. These people have so little, yet they pool what they do have to make it look nice.

Brother Thomas shoves a chipped mug of something into my hand. I glance down at the brown liquid. ‘Thanks. What is it?’

‘Happiness,’ he says with a mischievous grin. ‘Although, if you drink too much of it, you won’t feel so happy in the morning.’

I take a swallow and a burning sensation quickly coats my tongue … along with a mystery substance that feels questionably like sawdust. Or dirt. I clear my throat and resume searching the crowd for Marian, even though I doubt she’d come to this. She’s likely working since the Commander’s still away.

Wait, she wouldn’t raid right now, would she? Not after almost getting caught last night.

My pulse picks up, because I wouldn’t put anything past her. I’ve never seen anyone so foolishly brave.

‘This batch is fermented pine cones and some berries for the sugar,’ Brother Thomas says. ‘It’s a little rough, I know. But you get used to it – just look at them.’ He tips his mug towards the guardsmen laughing around a picnic table, cups in hand. They’re set apart. The Dresden are treating them like they’ve got the pox – as they should, after the fire.

‘They avoid us until we have our New Moon celebration.’ Brother Thomas huffs. ‘Then help themselves to the wine that isn’t ‘good enough’ as payment for collections.’

I look them over. None of them are Soren, who I’ve been meaning to have a little chat with. Maybe that’s what I should do right now, make sure he’s behaving and staying away from –

The song changes to something faster, and more Dresden cheer and jump up to dance.

Dancing brings me back to Marian. Where are you?

Brother Thomas nods at a man passing by, and it hits me that the person most likely to know Marian’s whereabouts is standing right here. ‘I’m worried about Marian,’ I confess. ‘Have you seen her?’

He inhales a slow breath before responding. ‘I saw you holding her hand last night when you ran to the fire together. Things have … shifted between you two.’

‘Yes.’ Last night everything shifted between us, and now I can’t get her out of my head.

His lips twitch at my lack of hesitation. ‘I’m glad to hear. She needs more good people around her. People who are concerned for her welfare. Just … be careful.’ He lowers his voice. ‘Her father’s a tricky man.’

I glance away. Tricky, yes. Not to mention controlling. Cruel. ‘Good thing his daughter’s nothing like him.’

Brother Thomas hides his grin behind his mug. ‘Hear, hear. I suppose this once I could tell you where Marian is.’ He ticks his head, his smirk deepening. ‘She’s right behind you.’