Page 19 of Bluebeard’s Key

“Certainly. We’ve chosen the major fixtures, and we’re moving on to equipment. I estimate that the major infrastructure will be functional within the week, and a fully functional laboratory within two at the most.”

His own laboratory had been a bustle of energy on that fateful day, centuries ago, generating the gold to support their lavish lives. But the Elixir had still evaded him, thwarting him at every turn. To this day, he didn’t know if the accident was fate or fortune. She had arranged a picnic at the promontory to celebrate their first year as husband and wife, but a loose rock and a stray summer breeze put an end to their joy. He had replayed that moment in his mind countless times, but he still didn’t know if he could have averted it. He was left on the precipice, grasping for her arm and seeing his happiness tumble away.

He shook his head, trying to rid himself of these well-worn thoughts, and said, “Acceptable. Ensure that he’s shielded from the inevitable issues with procurement and installation. Finding decent tradesmen is always a challenge. We need to cultivate an atmosphere of comfort and satisfaction for him.”

“Duly noted. I will attend personally to the arrangements. I also have an update on the incident with Maggie, the serving girl.”

“And?”

“She declined to continue service, but I secured an adequate replacement from the village. The transition will be transparent to you.”

“Excellent. Any issues with Zayan?” As he asked this, he made a personal note to watch this one. Zayan had more ambition than he cared for, not an auspicious trait in an apprentice. It wouldn’t do to have him think he could replace his master. But that was an issue to address in the future, when they got to the endgame of the plan.

“None that I’m aware of. He was giving Doctor Dalton a tour of the dungeon when I collected him for our meeting. Mr. Sarim appeared rather, er, stimulated.”

Bluebeard laughed at this choice of words. It was good to hear that Zayan was enthusiastic, and that he was busy at work on Thomas. Soon, he would see his plan come to fruition, and Zayan would feel the same loss and triumph as he had suffered with his precious Annabella.

His poor Annabella, lying helpless at the base of the promontory. The image still haunted him every evening as he struggled to sleep, but he would have it no other way. He had carried her back to the castle, dying in his arms. He didn’t know what compelled him that afternoon. Clearly, there had been no saving her, so perhaps it was the impulse to release her from her pain, to exalt her vital spark, to retain some part of her, that drove him to do the unthinkable. His wailing, unbelieving mind led him to the laboratory, and his inexperienced hands somehow knew what to do. He swept away the books, locked the door, and let his spirit guide him. When Thierry finally gathered the will to force the door, he was half-starved and wracked with grief, but victorious with the purest crystal-clear extract of immortalizing vitality.

He realized he was sitting there with hunched shoulders, shamefully indulging in his wallowing thoughts, while Thierry sat patiently and waited. He asked, “You were saying?”

Thierry paused, and in a rare break from his starched formality, said, “If I may, she was a rare flower. The world has lost its color without her.”

Bluebeard blinked, surprised again by his steward and his sharp insight. He had read his thoughts precisely.

Thierry continued, sparing him the need to respond, “But as we were discussing, by all appearances, your apprentices are getting along beautifully with one another, and they are on a steady trajectory toward having their laboratories up and running.”

“Excellent,” Bluebeard said, forcing his thoughts back to the room.

“Is there anything else you desire?”

“One more thing. I’ve been thinking we should host a celebration, maybe on Midsummer’s Eve, to grease the wheels with the Riverford noblesse, such as they are. Coordinate with Beatrice and make it happen.”

“Excellent idea, Mage Bluebeard. I will begin arrangements immediately.”

CHAPTER 14

One bright morning, a month into his tenure at the castle, Zayan woke happier than he’d been in years. The days were getting longer as spring warmed into summer, and the castle was blossoming right along with it. Tom had a fully functional laboratory and was simply beside himself. It was hard not to get caught up in Tom’s energy—he was simply bursting at his seams with day-by-day, or even hour-by-hour updates about his erotogenic compounds. Zayan had been practicing his distillations and sublimations with the odd alchemical vessels in his dungeon laboratory, and felt he was gaining some proficiency, and even enjoying the novelty of it. Bluebeard had also promised, or at least implied, that his training in true alchemic practice would begin soon. He was still skeptical, but Bluebeard was paying his way, so he’d be happy to go along with it, whatever it entailed.

Zayan entered the dining hall to find everyone seated and halfway through their breakfast. Try as he might, he was always the last to arrive each morning.

“There’s our sleepy apprentice,” Beatrice said, gesturing with her coffee cup. “Fix your plate and then we have news.”

This was another advantage of his situation at the castle. As he had observed thus far, Bluebeard was a tough taskmaster, driving the members of the Château hard, and this extended all the way to his cook. A full breakfast buffet tempted him: bacon, sausages, eggs, tomatoes, and all the rest, complemented by baguettes with butter and jam, croissants, and excellent café au lait. Whatever was in store for him in the future, he’d certainly never starve.

Beatrice launched into the morning topic of conversation as soon as he sat down. “Today, Charlie has kindly agreed to lead us on an excursion to the village of Riverford.”

Surprising himself, Zayan felt a pang of disappointment. He loved spending money, and he was tired of being cooped up in the castle, but this would postpone his training in alchemy by yet another day. Zayan glanced over to Bluebeard, curious about his response to this delay in his training schedule, but he should have known there were wheels within wheels grinding away in everything the Mage did. He gave Zayan a pointed look and said, “It will be an excellent opportunity for Thomas to improve his riding.”

Zayan immediately caught the meaning of that look. For him, the trip was no pleasure ride—it was a command performance. He would be busy at work today, building his connections with Tom. No problem. Alchemy could wait another day.

“Sounds fun,” Zayan said, embracing the opportunity and the implied challenge. “When do we leave?”

Charlie answered, “Immediately after breakfast, since the pace will be leisurely.”

They gathered at the stables as the morning was heating up.

“I feel silly in these,” Tom complained, pulling at his brand-new denim breeches and wobbling perilously in his tall boots.