24. Luna
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
LUNA
The travel cloak's fabric brushed my fingers as I grabbed it and quickly donned the sturdy leather boots. Pip watched me intently from his perch on the table's edge, as if sensing my intent. I twisted my hair up into the scarlet veil, concealing it. Several small blades joined my fans, tucked discreetly into my bodice and sleeves.
I could do this.
I couldn’t risk telling anyone, not even Benedetto. Rose and Sofia's lives depended on my silence and swift action.
I had just finished pulling on my boots when Benedetto stepped into the room, his arms crossed, and a deep frown etched on his face. "Going somewhere?"
He was deceptively calm, but his narrowed eyes told me he was angry.
I straightened, looking at him without flinching. "Yes.”
“Where?"
I paused.
Leaning back against the wall, Benedetto said conversationally, “You were passed a note. The threat’s apparently great enough that you’re going to run out like a little rabbit. Did all your hunting instincts drop out the back of your head?”
“If I tell you, they die.”
“Then don’t tell me.” Benedetto's frown deepened. "You think you’re going alone, my vixen? No, you're not." His voice hardened. "It's too dangerous. You don't even know where Vivaldo has hidden them."
Frustration bubbled up inside me. "So I should just sit here and do nothing? You don't get to decide what I do."
Benedetto clenched his fists, his jaw tight. "Damn it, Luna. Do you have any idea how reckless you’re being? You could get yourself killed."
He thought I was incapable. I'll show him just how wrong he is. I brushed past him toward the door. Benedetto reached out to grab my arm, but I twisted away, shooting him a defiant glare.
"Don't," I said. "I'm going, with or without you."
Benedetto exhaled sharply through his nose, clearly struggling to reign in his temper. After a long, tense moment, he said, "Wait. Just...wait."
I glanced back at him warily. Benedetto ran a hand through his hair, the anger in his expression giving way to cold consideration.
"You can go with me," he said grudgingly after a long moment. "But we're taking guards. And I call the shots. Or I exercise my husbandly rights and tie you to the bed."
I glared at him but gave a curt nod. "Fine. But don't think for a second that I'll follow orders I don't agree with."
Benedetto muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like "as usual".
The door swung open, and Vala glided in, an amused smile playing about her lips.
"You two are so entertaining," she said, smooth as silk. "I couldn't help but overhear your little discussion."
My spine stiffened. I didn’t trust Vala, after all I’d found out. She played her own game, and I didn’t know if our goals aligned in this case.
Though she needed to keep me alive until after an heir was born. The thought was cold comfort.
She strolled to the window, gazing out with a serene smile.
"If you're looking for Sofia and Rose, there's a manor house owned by Vivaldo. A secret little estate he thinks no one knows about." She glanced back at us. "He probably has them there."
They’d been gone for hours. "And you're just telling us this now ?"
Vala shrugged, a smile tugging at her lips. "I thought you might enjoy the challenge. Besides, I'm curious to see if you remember your lessons."
Benedetto stepped forward. "What's in it for you?"
Vala's smile widened, showing white teeth. "Let's just say I have the same vested interest as you do in seeing Vivaldo displaced . You're welcome."
Unease prickled along my skin at the implication behind her words.
Benedetto's scowl deepened, but he didn't argue further, simply jerked his head toward the door. "Let's get moving."
I hesitated, searching Vala's face for any hint of her true intentions. But her expression remained an exquisite mask, betraying nothing. With a frustrated huff, I hurried after Benedetto.
He stood beside his horse, his jaw clenched, and eyes hardened with a determined focus. Several guards were already mounted as well. None of them wore their uniforms, and Benedetto wore unfamiliar armor. Instead of a disciplined troop, they appeared to be poor mercenaries or even bandits
I swung myself up into the saddle, the leather creaking beneath me. As we rode out through the gates, a small weight settled onto my shoulders. Pip perched there, his opal eyes meeting mine. His presence was a small comfort amidst the swirling worry and fear knotting my gut.
This wasn't just about saving Sofia and Rose. I took comfort in the fact Benedetto the stubborn had yielded me the point, and I wondered if that would be enough if his presence got my sister killed.
The clip-clop of hooves against cobblestones filled the air as our group split up to meet at a rendezvous point outside the gates, in the countryside. As I rode with a single companion, the neat rows of buildings gave way to rolling hills and sparse woods.
A few miles from the city we met as a group again and rode hard for our destination. As we neared Vivaldo's estate, the fears congealed in my stomach, growing heavier with each passing moment.
The manor came into view, a large stone structure partially concealed by dense trees, both grand and ominous.
Benedetto raised a gloved hand, signaling for the guards to halt. "Dismount. This is the diversion; try to draw a response out so I and the lady can slip in."
I slid from my horse, my boots hitting the ground with a soft thud, and surveyed our surroundings, one hand holding my fan.
Benedetto and I approached the wall as the troop headed for the gate.
As the troop drew near the wrought-iron gates of the manor, a group of armed men emerged from the shadows, blocking their path. Their faces were grim, their stances aggressive.
My muscles tensed, ready to move.
Benedetto cupped his hands and nodded at the wall. I put my foot in his hands, and he shoved up.
With the boost, my fingertips caught the edge of the wall and I pulled myself up, Benedetto right behind me.
We hopped down, and the plan was for us to pincer the troop. Benedetto headed in that direction.
I headed for the house. Sprinting, I reached the manor's entrance. Nothing else mattered but finding Sofia and Rose.
My heart pounded in my ears as I slipped through the heavy wooden doors, scanning the dimly lit interior for any sign of my sister and tutor.
I raced through the halls, my footsteps quiet on the rugs covering the marble floors.
Where were they? I had to find them before it was too late.
Dim candlelight outlined a curtain covering a door down the hall on the second floor. I paused and strained to hear any sounds.
Rose’s voice, too low to make words out.
I ran down the hall and through the curtain, my fans at the ready.
As my foot crossed the threshold, Rose gasped, “No!”
Agonizing bands of silver magic wrapped me from head to foot, burning with cold fire. Memories of the worst of my father’s beating flooded my mind, my mouth filling with the memory of blood.
My magic flexed against it, devouring, but the spell still entrapped me. There was too much power in it for my magic to dispel.
All in the space of a moment, then the spell vanished as if it had never been and I dropped to my knees, shaking.
Rose and Sofia dropped to their knees at my side, Sofia’s rose perfume wrapping around me and easing the shock.
“What was that?” I murmured.
Sofia rested her hand on my forehead. That trap spell had been hers, and my magic fought her as she poured healing onto me. She’d never demonstrated that she was that strong, ever.
“Sofia set a spell to catch the man who kidnapped us. He was supposed to be the next who came through the curtain.”
“My contract is to protect Rose,” Sofia said softly. “I’ve pushed its limits for you two in the past, but this I could safely do. Slaughtering the guards wholesale when I didn’t know what they intended would have been beyond the limits.”
She could slaughter the guards?
“But if you’re here, it’s best we leave. A pity. Ending Vivaldo would solve a number of problems. But Rose is no longer in direct threat, so my hands are tied.” Sofia rose.
I sat up and watched as she gathered her knitting from an armchair. Rose joined her, picking up a workbasket and a swath of embroidered cloth.
“What was threatened?” I asked.
“Mutilation. Death. For both of us, but the threat to Rose was greater.” Sofia was still calm, as though I’d unexpectedly shown up for a bit of tea.
Rose’s hands were shaking, but she was mimicking Sofia. Good. She could have all the hysterics in the world once she was safe and away from here.
“Is Vivaldo here?”
Sofia chuckled, as though reading my thoughts. "He is a fool," she said with amusement. "And yes, he is present. A pity if some accident were to befall him."
Rose nodded in agreement. "We've been biding our time, waiting for the right moment to deal with him and make sure you were safe too. But we should go now."
I stared at them in shock. I’d never heard Rose sound so cold blooded, or Sofia so… dangerous.
Rising, my muscles still quivered with the memory of pain, but Sofia had healed the injuries her spell had inflicted. Again, overcoming my magic. Something to consider for my and Benedetto’s conflict with Moonshifter.
"You two are going to be the death of me," I said, but I couldn't keep the fondness from my voice. “Let’s go.”
As we made our way through the manor's winding corridors, the distant sounds of clashing swords and shouted commands echoed through the halls. I could hear Benedetto, strong and steady, as he directed our guards in the ongoing fight.
I glanced at Sofia and Rose. "We need to get you out of here. Benedetto and the others can only hold them off for so long."
Sofia nodded, her expression darkening. "Let’s go, Rose.”
Vivaldi was in this house, though apparently ignoring the fight. Why? I needed to know for the future of all of us. If I could search here and now, I might be able to find Vivaldo and put an end to this once and for all.
I turned to Sofia and Rose, my mind made up. "You two go out the front," I said. "I have something I need to take care of."
Sofia's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought she might argue. But then understanding flickered across her face. "Be careful."
I gave her a tight smile, then slipped back down the hall. This was my chance. My chance to be more than just a pawn in someone else’s political game, be it Vala or Vivaldo.
The halls of the manor were eerily quiet as I drifted forward, light footed on wooden floors, my senses on high alert. I paused at each doorway, straining to hear any signs of light, movement or conversation. The next floor up, toward the back of the manor, I heard the faint scratching of a quill on parchment and a glimmer of candlelight coming from a room at the end of the corridor.
This room was far enough away from the fighting that I couldn't hear it anymore. And presumably neither could Vivaldo.
That was why, though it was stupid of his staff to have not informed her. Or he had given orders not to be disturbed and they were being obeyed to the letter.
There were people who flogged their servants for disobedience in Kalion.
I approached cautiously the room, fan half open and in hand. As I drew closer, I could make out a familiar voice humming, with the occasional snatches sung of a popular ballad.
A pleasant singing voice wasn’t something I would have associated with Vivaldo, but life was full of surprises. He sounded calm, almost bored, as if he hadn't just orchestrated the kidnapping of my sister and tutor and tried to force me to kill my husband.
Threatened by sister with death.
I pushed open the door. Vivaldo was seated at a large oak desk, a stack of papers spread out before him. He glanced up as I entered, a momentary surprised expression replaced by a superior smirk.
"Ah, Luna. You do credit to your mother-in-law's training," He rose to his feet. "I wondered how long it would take you to get here. Be aware that your sister will die if I don’t call off my dogs, and not all of them are in this house."
"Dead gods take you," I replied coldly.
Vivaldo chuckled, walking around the desk to face me. "Now, now, Luna. Is that any way for a well born woman to talk? Has Benedetto not schooled you, even if his mother failed? Perhaps I should take over your training. I’ll be head of the imperial clans soon, and even a distant relative like you should be a credit to the house."
My grip tightened on my fan. "I'm not here to discuss manners or training, Vivaldo."
He sneered, his eyes flashing with malice. "You're out of your depth, little girl. You’ve no idea of the forces you're meddling with."
Vivaldo raised his hands, darkness twisting and looping around them. Something to blind, or an illusions. He was taking his time, too, certain he could overcome me.
Absent gods take him. I couldn't let him win. Not this time.
Sofia had overcome me, yes, but she was the trained apprentice of a sorcerer, and I was surprised. Vivaldo might have talent, but my gift was strong, too. Sofia had told me that many times.
Instinctively, I reached for my own magic, feeling the familiar embrace of the dark moon's power as it surrounded me.
I focused on Vivaldo, willing the cloud to reach out, envelope him, and consume his magic.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, my magic surged out, a cloud around both of us.
He cursed, stumbling back next to the desk, but the greedy shreds of mist clung to him, siphoning away his power.
The spell shriveled and vanished.
Vivaldo's eyes showed the whites all around the iris, his face sweaty, grimacing with the pain of backlash from an uncompleted spell.
Before he could react, I lunged forward, my leg snapping out in a swift kick to his chest. His head snapped back, his body crashing into the desk and sending papers flying.
I followed up, the edge of my fan to his throat, my other elbow pinning his chest.
Staring down at him, my chest heaving, a grim sense of satisfaction washed over me. "Let’s discuss threats of death and maiming now, cousin."
Vivaldo glared up at me, his face contorted with rage. But beneath the anger, I could see a flicker of fear in his quick breathing and the way he lay very still. He knew, in that moment, that he had underestimated me. That I was more than just a pawn to be played with.
I leaned forward, my face inches from his. "You're going to leave Kalion, and never come back. Do you understand?"
Vivaldo's jaw clenched.
I let the pressure of the fan’s weight draw a line of blood across his throat.
Then he nodded, defeat etched across his features.
I straightened warily, keeping the fan close to his throat.
Winning for the moment, yes. But he’d be back. I’d bought us time that Benedetto couldn’t. Me, a woman, retrieving my sister had a justification and a perceived disadvantage that my husband did not. If this story got out, Vivaldo would be mocked, and that would be deadly to his chance to rule.
"You're out of your depth," I hissed. "Leave Kalion within a week, or Vala will hear all the details. You’ll be a laughingstock across Dimare."
Benedetto burst into the room, his sword drawn and ready. He took in the scene. Vivaldo lying half on the floor, me threatening him with the fan’s razor edge.
A flicker of surprise crossed his face before he schooled his features into a stern mask.
“My wife, what terms did you negotiate?”
“He leaves Kalion within seven days.”
"She's being generous," Benedetto said coldly as he leveled his blade at Vivaldo. "If I find you here after the deadline, you'll wish you'd taken her advice."
I took a step back, removing the fan, ready to slash if he tried to grab me.
"Fine," Vivaldi snarled, scrambling to his feet. "I'll leave. You'll regret this, cousin."
Benedetto raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Not as much as you will if you don't keep your bargain."
We exited the room, leaving Vivaldo there.
As the adrenaline faded, a new worry crept in. What would Benedetto think of me now? He’d seen me fight, yes, but this was a different level of involvement in conflicts.
I chanced a glance at him, trying to gauge his reaction.
"We should go." He sheathed his sword. "Before he reconsiders and decides to come back with reinforcements."
I brushed past Benedetto and hurried down the steps. Outside, the cool night air cooled my skin, sweaty with exertion.
As soon as I left the building, Benedetto caught up with me, speaking quietly but forcefully. "What the hell were you thinking, going in alone? You could have gotten yourself killed."
I shrugged. "I didn't, did I? Besides, it was quicker."
Benedetto pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply. I could see the tension in his jaw, the way his shoulders were rigid with barely contained anger. But beneath that, there was something else. Worry, perhaps? Or maybe just frustration at my stubbornness.
"We'll stay in town for another week," he muttered. "Make sure Vivaldo actually leaves."
I couldn't help but beam at him with a sudden rush of affection. "You do care." I leaned closer.
Benedetto scowled, but I caught the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Don't let it go to your head."
As we walked toward the waiting horses, he muttered something under his breath about vixens and trouble.