23. Luna
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
LUNA
The next morning, I leaned back in a chair in the study as Benedetto paced the floor, his face a storm cloud of frustration. He’d risen early.
My cycle had just ended, and I knew I wasn't pregnant. I’d gone to his room and then searched the villa for him.
Benedetto seemed consumed by finding the man, possibly fueled by his desire to be well away from Vala. She’d already left to visit friends in the city.
He muttered under his breath about Tulliano Lucardi, the elusive collector that always seemed just out of his reach. So he could start hunting Moonshifter again and he could get away from the politics now that Vala was here stirring things up.
There was a better way to do this, if I could get his attention.
I cleared my throat. "Instead of chasing after Lucardi like thwarted assassins, why don't we take a different approach?"
Benedetto stopped pacing and made a beckoning gesture. "What do you have in mind?"
"We visit mages," I said. "We lie and say you're finally interested in training your gift. Vala mentioned many times that you have a great gift and refused to train it after your brother’s accident. They'll be curious what made you change your mind, and we might get the information we need without having to chase someone throughout the empire."
He snorted and crossed his arms over his broad chest. "You think they'll believe that?"
I gave him a sly smile. "Probably. That's why it will work. They'll be curious. Especially when I'm the one asking, and your status has changed so much recently. And with your mother in town, whoever woos you to be their student can count on favors from her as well."
Just then, Sofia entered the room carrying a tray of tea and delicacies. She set it down with a graceful flourish and gave me an approving look. "I heard part of your plan. It's a good idea. And I know several who would be very interested in your request."
"Who do you suggest?" I asked as I poured a cup of the fragrant tea and offered it to Benedetto.
His big hands dwarfed the delicate cup as he sipped the herbal brew.
"Calia Fokaides, Naran Olar, Witse Dagovy, and Feridun Yesil," Sofia listed, lifting a well-manicured finger with each name. "They're all influential in their own circles. If you can convince them, you should get clues as to your quarry’s location."
She accepted her cup of tea from me. “However. I applaud your determination and your care for your brother, Lord d’Alvarez, but have you considered what you’ll do when you find the location of this tower?”
“Force him to cure Francesco. Or kill him.”
“Then you might want to accept the training you’ve thus far avoided.” Sofia answered mildly.
Her plan was sound. The pieces started to come together in my mind. Benedetto's single-minded focus on revenge was clouding his judgement. But with the right approach, and Sofia's contacts, we might finally make some real progress.
And if I were with him, my magic would eat the sorcerer’s spells, giving Benedetto a real chance.
I sipped the hot tea, letting the plan solidify. Benedetto might’ve been driven by vengeance, but I had other priorities. The sooner we found Moonshifter, the sooner we could focus on what really mattered. Starting a family and securing our future. One way or another, I was determined to make it happen.
Benedetto turned to Sofia, a trace of mockery in his tone. "Why didn't you suggest Soulrider?"
Sofia gave him a half smile. "The fact you ask that means you have no concept just how dangerous Sorcerers are. You've been hunting Moonshifter for how long and you're foolish enough to suggest deceiving Soulrider?"
"Why not?" Benedetto challenged.
Sofia leaned forward, an unsettling expression crossing her face. For a moment she became cold as a statue, and her quiet voice a bell tolling doom. "Benedetto. Moonshifter has allowed you to hunt him this long because he finds it funny, if you want my guess. Use that. You might kill him because he's overconfident. But don't presume others are like him. Soulrider will exact payment from you and no trickery or stealth will keep it from being collected."
I squirmed in my seat, unsettled by this cold, hard side of Sofia I'd never seen before in all our years together. Then just as suddenly, she leaned back and sipped her tea, the familiar nurturing governess once more.
Pip chose that moment to hop onto my lap with a disgruntled chirp. He nuzzled against me, clearly displeased at being left out of the plan. I stroked his smooth head soothingly. "You'll have to stay home this time, Pip. We don't want any unnecessary distractions."
It wasn’t just about distractions. Pip’s jealousy could complicate things if we were trying to charm people who might be suspicious of our intentions.
Pip let out a soft, pitiful whine but didn't fight my decision. He curled up on my lap, sulking but resigned.
Sofia chuckled, giving the drake a fond look. "He'll get over it. He pouts when he's not the center of attention. And he would be, if the other mages saw him. Rather than your questions."
I sighed, my thoughts whirling. Between Benedetto's obsession, the dangers Sofia warned of, and now this cryptic plan our father had for Rose, the walls were closing in. I had to protect my sister, no matter what it took. Even if it meant keeping secrets from my own husband.
I glanced at Benedetto, noting the determined set of his jaw, the fire in his eyes. He was a man on a mission, single-minded in his pursuit. Part of me admired that drive. But another part feared where it might lead us. Would my magic really prevail in the lair of a Sorcerer? Sofia had never spoken before with such grim warning.
Vivaldo would pay for threatening Rose, even by the proxy of a friend. Perhaps the threat of our father had been a lie to spur me to action. I'd do whatever I must to keep her safe, even if it meant walking into the dragon's den itself. With my magic and Benedetto’s wit as our only armor.
I squared my shoulders, resolved. One way or another, I would find a path through this tangled web.
No matter the cost.
The scent of lemons enveloped me as we approached the mage Calia's villa. I inhaled deeply, letting the bright citrus notes mingle with the salty sea breeze. The house was a vision of white marble and climbing ivy against the azure sky, the gardens even better kept than the Imperial palace’s.
Calia stood on the steps, her shoulder length dark hair rippling in the wind. She was sturdily built, wearing clothing better suited to gardening than to visitors. "Benedetto d'Alvarez. And his lovely wife." Her voice was like honey, rich and smooth. "To what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from an imperial scion?"
I stepped forward, my smile practiced and perfect. "We've heard much about your abilities, Lady Calia. Benedetto has been considering developing his gift, and we thought we'd seek your counsel."
Calia's eyebrow arched, skepticism flickering across her face. Her full lips pursed. "Training your gift, Lord d’Alvarez? I never took you for the type. Self-discipline and drunken brawls don't go hand in hand."
Benedetto's smile was self-deprecating. He was playing his part well. "Perhaps it's time I stopped running from it."
I watched Calia's reaction. A flicker of curiosity crossed her face, mixed with sadness.
Sad didn’t fit. What had prompted it?
"Starlight magic is a fickle thing," Calia said, leading us into a sun-drenched atrium. "Especially for an adult who’s used it in a certain way. It requires a great deal of focus and dedication to change the paths you’ve already set."
"I'm willing to put in the work," Benedetto said.
Calia hummed thoughtfully. "I’ve never seen evidence you’re willing to take the harder road, other than your famous quest. Training is not easy or quick."
A young girl burst into the room, her cheeks flushed. "Mistress Calia, I?—"
She stopped short, eyes widening at the sight of us and bobbed a hasty bow.
Calia sighed. "Eleni, what have I told you about interrupting?"
The girl ducked her head. "Apologies, Mistress. I didn't realize you had guests."
"No harm done. Now, off with you. We'll speak later."
The girl, Eleni, bobbed another bow and scurried away. I caught the way her gaze lingered on Calia, the adoration in her young eyes. She admired her greatly. Perhaps even more than that.
It spoke well for the woman’s character. Being taught didn’t necessarily inspire affection.
"Forgive the interruption." Calia turned back to us. "Apprentices can be rather enthusiastic at times."
I smiled, genuine warmth seeping into my expression. "It's quite alright. Eagerness to learn is a precious thing."
"Indeed." Calia studied me for a moment, as if seeing me in a new light. "Perhaps we could continue this conversation at a later date? Away from the distractions of home. This visit was not expected, and my day is already full."
"We would be delighted." Benedetto bowed his head.
As we made our farewells, I couldn't shake the feeling that Calia saw more than she let on. That she understood, on some level, the true nature of our visit. We needed to tread carefully. She was no fool. But then again, neither were we.
And perhaps Benedetto did need the training.
Benedetto took my arm as we left, his grip firm. "That went well," he said.
"It's a start," I said. "But we have a long way to go."
The scent of exotic spices and aged leather enveloped me as we entered Naran Olar's residence. Intricate tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes of nomadic life on the steppes Several kegs lined the walls, holding his famous beer.
Naran himself stood before us, his broad shoulders draped in a fur-lined cloak, his hawk-like gaze assessing us with a piercing intensity.
"You want training?" he asked skeptically. "You, d’Alvarez? After what happened to your brother?"
Benedetto tensed beside me, his jaw clenching.
I placed a gentle hand on his arm, a silent reminder of our purpose.
"That's true," I said, my gaze steady on the mage. "But people change, Master Olar. And sometimes, they realize their fears have held them back for too long."
Naran's expression softened, just a bit. He nodded, as if understanding some unspoken burden. He drew three small glasses of ale from a keg. We sipped in silence as he considered.
“When your mother was searching for a teacher for you, she said you sourced from the starlight. That’s hard to teach for anyone who doesn’t also source from it, since it draws power from both sun and moon.”
Benedetto nodded.
"If you're serious, you'll need to speak with someone who knows the old ways, like Moonshifter or Soulrider. Have you asked the apprentice in your household for the location of Soulrider’s tower?”
I shook my head. “Sofia suggested we not seek him out.”
Naran shrugged. “She’d know her master best. That leaves you with Moonshifter, who taught your brother. Last I heard, he'd moved back to the tower in the Renhos Mountains, near the Ygris Pass. Turn left at the blasted oak and follow the second game trail."
We got it. A definite location for Moonshifter. "Thank you, Naran. Your guidance is invaluable."
He grunted, waving a hand dismissively. "Don't thank me yet. The path you're choosing is not an easy one. I think you might be better going untrained than seeking Moonshifter out, especially after hunting him all these years."
No, it wouldn't be. But it was the only path we had.
Our next stop took us to a room filled with fragrant smoke and little in the way of furniture. Witse Dagovy greeted us, her long brown hair cascading down her back, her presence serene and otherworldly.
Kneeling on mats of woven reeds, we drank a tiny cup of pale tea before she set it down on the table and gazed at Benedetto directly,
“I cannot aid you in your quest. I would suggest you cherish your brother as he is and not seek out a Sorcerer. Doom lies that road, and loss.”
Benedetto tensed. “You’ve seen this?”
“Yes.”
He rose and bowed to her. “I thank you for the time you’ve given us, and the warning. Absent gods keep you.”
Benedetto walked beside me, alternating between a frown and a lighter expression. I felt the same. We had solid information, but the warning preyed on my mind.
What loss? Whose doom?
As we approached the villa, Benedetto's demeanor changed. The brooding expression became determined. He turned to me, his brown eyes serious.
"We did it," he said. "We finally have a real lead. I can almost taste it, this might be the end of the hunt for Moonshifter, if we can get away from the political intrigue. But I don’t know if you should go with me."
My heart swelled at the evidence of his concern. Warmth spread through my chest. “We can discuss that later. Once we’ve both had time to consider.”
There was no way I would let him leave me, but I didn’t have to say it outright.
A servant rushed out to meet us on the street, tears streaming down her face. She collapsed to her knees before us, her body wracked with sobs. "Th-they...took them. The men, they—" Her words dissolved into incoherent wails.
My heart seized in my chest. No.
I pulled her to her feet. "Who?”
Benedetto picked her up and hustled into the villa, giving us privacy.
More servants emerged in the foyer, their faces etched with worry and fear. One stepped forward, his hands trembling. "My lady, armed men broke in. They had swords and—and some sort of magic. Mistress Sofia tried to stop them, but her magic failed. They took Lady Rose and Mistress Sofia."
The world spun around me. This couldn't be happening. My worst fears realized. My knees buckled, the ground rushing up to meet me.
Strong arms caught me, holding me upright. Benedetto. His grip tightened around my waist as he barked orders at the servants. "Search the villa! Look for any clues they may have left behind. Ready my armor and the guards!"
I clung to him, my face buried against his chest. Sobs tore from my throat. My sweet sister. In the hands of our enemies, be it my father or Vivaldo. And Sofia...she'd protected us for so long. Now she was gone too.
Benedetto's hand cupped the back of my head, his fingers tangling in my hair. "We'll find them. I swear it. No matter what it takes, we will bring them home."
His words reached me through the haze of panic. I lifted my head, meeting his gaze. The fierce determination in his eyes steadied me. He was right. We would act.
Weeping didn’t help Rose or Sofia.
I sucked in a shuddering breath and nodded, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. "Yes. We have to figure out who did this. Why they took them."
One of the servants ran back and slipped a note into my hand when Benedetto heard for his room to don his armor. I stuck it in my pocket. The look on the servant's face told me clearly this was meant to be private.
Had the attackers ordered the note be given in private? Had the servant been paid and betrayed us?
“How did you get this?” I asked softly.
Equally quiet, he responded, “The attackers gave it to me and said the Lady Rose would be scarred in the face if I didn’t slip it to you quietly.”
When I opened it in the privacy of my chambers, leaning against the shut, I snarled.
Your sister for his life. I’m watching.
—V