Opaque Lies Page 3

  He turned his head and kissed her palm. “Yes, we shall find a way to have what we want.” He stared at her. How to tell her that she was what he wanted more than anything?

  “We need to talk.” Allie reminded him of all that remained unresolved between them. Their relationship had barrelled along like one of the sentient steam trains, and neither knew where their journey would end or if it would all explode in a fireball.

  Allie drew herself free of Jared’s arms. She paced, which he’d learned was her way of working through problems. Her movement back and forth beside the river was the only external sign of her internal agitation. She took a deep breath and uttered the name of the mountain that lay between them.

  “Do you love Margaret?” She could barely meet Jared’s gaze.

  “No.” His voice was sure and without any hesitation.

  Allie let out her breath. She resumed pacing, as though she sifted through many other ideas and didn’t know which one to select next.

  “I know you are contractually bound to Margaret, and I need you to understand I don’t seek to challenge that. I have no expectations. I know the rift between us is impassable.” Jared started to object, but Allie raised her hand. “Here, now, we can bridge it. But out there, in your world?” She gestured to the row of expensive town houses past the river and all of society that lay beyond. Sadness clouded her eyes. “I would never be accepted by them, nor would I survive. I will certainly take what time we have together, but I will ask nothing of you.” Her pacing had stopped and she let her hands rest at her sides, immobile now she had unburdened her thoughts.

  Nothing? That word choked in his throat. He would lay the world at her feet and shed every drop of blood in his veins if she asked it of him. “Is there nothing you want from me?” His voice was quiet as uncertainly flowed through him.

  Her eyes glistened with unshed tear. “Jared, this cannot last.”

  “Stop.” He reached out and took her hands. “Stop thinking about all the obstacles that are in our path and all the reasons why not.” He ran his thumbs over the back of her hand. “Take a breath and just look at me.”

  She drew a deep inhale and met his steady gaze.

  This is a start, he thought. He would fight for her, if only she gave him a sign that she wanted him to. “What do you want, today, now, in this very moment?”

  “You,” she whispered. “I only want you.”

  Deep inside he smiled. He wanted to grin and let out a whoop of joy, but it might spoil the moment. “Then trust me. Be with me for one day, Allie, that is all I ask.”

  She opened her mouth to protest, no doubt to recite all the reasons why the daughter of an overlord could never be with the son of a duke. He placed a finger on her lips. “Be mine for one day, Allie. That is all. Will you give me today?”

  “Yes.”

  He smiled. “Good. I shall ask you the same thing tomorrow.”

  And every day after that, for the rest of our lives.

  Then he kissed her, and everything seemed right with the world.

  3

  Allie wanted to bask in the moment for eternity. With the sun on her back and Jared’s arms around her, for one impossible instant a new world opened before her. One in which she walked beside Jared and they both defied their parents. Then trees grew over that path; dense foliage shut out the light and branches blocked their way.

  She broke off the kiss and pressed her forehead to his. Words tumbled through her mind like a waterfall and one by one, she fished out the ones needed to form cogent sentences.

  “I asked Le Foy for a way into the Consortium,” she whispered.

  Jared’s arms tightened around her. “I don’t like you putting your life in danger.”

  “My life was in danger from the day my father became overlord.” She thought he left her on the street because he didn’t care. Foolish to think the overlord of the Whisperers didn’t know exactly what his daughter did. He’d turned her world upside down when he said his failure to retrieve her was the only way to protect her from his enemies.

  “What of the covenant between our worlds, though? You are under eighteen and should not be burdened by your father’s actions.” Jared rested his chin on the top of her head and kept her close.

  “The covenant protects young Lux nobles from the Noctis. There is no shield to keep us safe from our own kind.” A sigh heaved through her torso and released years of doubt and worthlessness. Hot tears pricked behind her eyes and she willed them away. “For years I thought Le Foy didn’t care for me. Then he said he had to leave me on the streets, because if he had done anything, it would have shown his enemies he cared and they would have used me against him. Even when he snatched me from the gallows, he had to wait until the very last minute and Poppa whisked me straight off to an airship bound for Egypt.”

  Jared stroked her hair and stared off into the distance. “At least you finally know the truth; that he acted to protect you. I’m not sure my parents particularly like me, and my mother treats me like a pawn, moved about the board at her whim.”

  Allie glanced up at him. “Despite our differences, we seem to share similar issues with our parents.”

  Jared settled his arms around her. “Why do families cause so much heartache? Look at Princess Victoria. Everyone knows her uncle the Duke of Cumberland plots to remove her and seize the throne for himself. Do you think he is behind the Consortium?”

  Allie shrugged. “I don’t know, the idea of a young female monarch on the English throne seems to have outraged many a lord. The poor thing is surrounded by people who would see her quietly put away.”

  “Even in Scotland there are those who agitate for King Rab to claim the English throne and unite England and Scotland under one monarch.” Jared drew circles on Allie’s back with one hand.

  The lazy swoops and swirls of his hand diverted her attention and she had to concentrate on the ideas bursting into her head. “Our countries have been allies for centuries. How many would die if a war was ignited between us?”

  “Exactly. As Zeb would say—actions have consequences. In this case, huge ones. Let us hope King Rab is content with Scotland and doesn’t seek to expand his borders to the south.” The roaming hand moved higher to rest on her nape. “Why are so you intent on protecting the princess? You could walk away instead of running toward trouble.”

  Allie tilted her head to one side as Jared’s fingers found a knot to massage. “Because her struggle is so similar to ours. There are those who will not let her make her own decisions or control her own fate. I have no doubt that you and I will find a way to wrest back control from our parents. Maybe it’s foolish and the princess is well protected, but I can’t ignore what I know, and I am drawn to do whatever I can to stop these men.”

  He rested both hands on her shoulders and stared deep into her eyes. “If you are determined, then you know I, and Duncan, will do anything to help. You will never be alone in this mission.”

  It warmed her to know she had their support. “I doubt you can do anything directly where the Consortium is concerned. You are too recognisable, and why would Viscount Kerr want to be associated with them?”

  “My father is the king’s chief advisor. We could lead them to believe King Rab wants the association to assist their effort to remove the princess?” Jared tossed out an idea.

  Allie didn’t know if that would sit well with the powerful men. They wanted the throne for themselves, not to hand it to a Scotsman. A young woman would be more easily subdued than a powerful king who had proven his worth with a sword in his hand. “Let’s worry about that once I know more. For now, there is another matter that concerns me. If you would undertake a private mission for me?”

  He arched one eyebrow and curiosity simmered in his open expression. “Of course. What is it?”

  She placed her hands on his chest and tapped a finger against his shirt as she wondered how the conversation would unfold. Instinct whispered that it might be a sensitive topic. “Not so much a what, as a who—Lieutenant Christian Harris.”

  A strange light flashed in Jared’s eyes and then he blinked it away. “Oh?”

  Allie bit the inside of her lip. He feigned indifference, given his questions about her history with the handsome officer. “The other night at Deviant’s, I saw his mark. He has advanced in the Runners since I last saw him.”

  Jared rolled the information around before speaking. “When he left the streets it was to enlist. Which means to have advanced in the guild, he must serve two masters.”

  It gnawed at Allie. No man can serve two masters without ultimately betraying one. Who held Christian’s loyalty—the Runners or KRAC? “You have the contacts at KRAC to ask questions about him. But do try to be more subtle than when you questioned me.”

  He grinned. “Soldiers aren’t as quick as you, but I’ll tread quietly. Duncan and I can keep our ears open when we are at the base.”

  Their conversation was interrupted as Eloise approached across the lawn with a light step and a gleam in her eyes.

  “Zeb is taking me to the library, do you want to come with us?” her words gushed faster than the water in the river beside them.

  “The library?” Jared glanced from Eloise to Allie.

  “Yes. The Edinburgh library has many rare magical textbooks, and did you know that Master Cowie, who oversees their collection, is a woman! Zeb has arranged a private tour for me. Isn’t it marvellous, Allie?” Eloise had a glow of utter contentment about her. She clasped her hands together over her heart.

  “I would love to, Lou. But Jared and I have a matter to discuss with General Galloway. Why don’t you head off with Zeb, and we will join you later?” Allie smiled at her friend; Eloise’s good mood was infectious.

  “Oh.” Eloise’s smile
faltered for a mere instant, then the grin returned. “I suppose it will have to be the two of us then. All alone. Well, almost alone apart from the custodian.”

  Allie squeezed her friend’s hand. “I’m sure you will have a most excellent time. If we are held up, perhaps we could meet somewhere later this afternoon and you can tell me all about Master Cowie and how she became a custodian?”

  “Tell Zeb to take you to Little Vintage afterwards. It’s a coffee shop we often frequent that isn’t far from the library. It has cakes and things he likes,” Jared said.

  Eloise took a deep breath and her fingers tightened on Allie’s hand. She stared at Allie and made a muffled squeal. “Thank you,” she whispered, then she skipped back across the lawn.

  Jared huffed a quiet laugh. “What do you make of that? I never thought Zeb would have had time to organise an outing like that for Lou, what with everything else going on.”

  “He didn’t,” Allie murmured as she watched her friend hurry back to the house.

  Jared grabbed her around the middle and squeezed. “What have you done?”

  “Me?” Allie widened her eyes and tried to feign innocence.

  Apparently, she failed, as Jared hauled her back to the rock and spun her so her spine was pressed to the heated granite. “Tell me all your secrets, Alessandra.”

  “I’ll not tell you anything if you use that name.” She stuck out her tongue and tried to ignore him as she watched birds flit across the water.

  “Allie.” Jared changed tactic and breathed her name against the skin of her throat. A shiver worked through her spine. “Will you tell me, please, what devious plan you have put into action?”

  She twisted her hands into the front of Jared’s unbuttoned waistcoat. “I had a quiet conversation with Lady Lithgow one night and told her of Lou’s aspiration to be a custodian. I said it was a shame that she didn’t know any women custodians who could mentor her, or that she could talk to about that path. Devi is one, you know. Or was one. She must have left the order at a young age though, and I wonder how much she learned in her time with the Ouroboros League.”

  “She’s older than she appears. Matisse said she reached the rank of full custodian before she broke with the league some years ago.” Jared leaned one forearm on the rock by Allie’s head.

  One of her fingers traced the outer edge of a silver button. “Really? If she’s in her forties or fifties, that means she uses magic to erase the signs of ageing from her body. I suppose once she left the order, she was no longer bound by their prohibition against using magic for personal benefit.”

  “You were telling me about Zeb and Lou. Don’t get distracted.” Jared traced a hand along her collar bone and nearly made her forget everything.

  Allie swatted at his hand and took hold of it so she could struggle through the rest of her tale. “Lady Lithgow said the family knows Master Cowie and she was only too happy to arrange the private tour. We both agreed it would be wonderful if the idea came from Zeb.”

  “He does care for Lou, you know. I suspect he doesn’t know how to express his affection, and then his mind is paralysed by inertia and so he does nothing. All he needs is a prod in the right direction.” Jared leaned his body against Allie.

  “Then he is lucky he has friends like us to assist. That pair will never know what could bloom between them if they aren’t given a chance.” Allie didn’t know what generated the most heat—the stone or Jared. She didn’t understand what happened to her in his presence. It seemed as though their very blood was magnetic and pulled them toward one another. As much as she fought to break apart, her body drew her close to him again.

  “Hear, hear. Every relationship deserves a chance.” He freed his hand to skim it over her arm and up to her shoulder.

  “This thing between us, it’s so much bigger and different to anything I’ve felt before.” She whispered the words, wondering if he would laugh at her.

  “No girl has made me feel like this before.” His hand stilled on her shoulder.

  Allie swallowed, unsure whether to keep speaking from her heart or to hold her feelings tight. “I’ve only known you for two months and yet it feels as though I have known you for my entire life, or impossibly, for centuries.”

  His thumb moved to make tiny spirals against her neck that made her bite her tongue.

  “It’s as though we aren’t getting to know one another, but becoming reacquainted after a long time apart,” he murmured.

  How could she be imagining it if he felt it too? “But how is that possible?”

  A silver shadow moved behind his eyes and then it was gone. Jared looked away. “I don’t know.”

  Liar, she thought. Not that she had a logical answer. He stirred a depth of emotion inside her that, at times, scared her with its intensity. “Since we are running down this road together toward certain doom, at least promise me that this will mean more to you than another notch on a tree trunk. I am well aware of your reputation.” She glanced behind him, checking in case the large slab of stone had marks carved into it.

  He cupped her face with both his hands and brushed his thumbs over her cheek. “I told you, this is different for me too. We are both in uncharted territory and I promise, as deep as you want to explore this thing between us, I will be right next to you. One day at a time, remember?”

  They were both jumping into deep water, but what if they couldn’t swim in the current that gripped them?

  “One day at a time,” she whispered. She could manage that. How lost could she become if she re-evaluated her course every single day?

  She closed her eyes, unable to think under his grey stare that peeled away her protective layers and laid her soul bare before him. She knew she was rushing toward heartbreak. There would be no happy ever after for their story. One day, soon, Jared would marry Margaret and they would take their place amongst the ton. Margaret would win on that day, and rip Allie’s beating heart from her chest and grind it into the dirt under her heel.

  She drew a ragged breath. Simple friendship would be easier and it offered a chance to keep her heart intact. But if she took a safe route, she would never know what truly lay between them. One tiny step further and she would plunge off a precipice. There would be no way to return, except in a million shattered pieces. Part of her cautioned that it was better to carefully back away from the edge.

  “You said you would give me today, Allie. Now what shall we do with it?” He leaned down and nuzzled his cheek against hers.

  There was no escape, even if she had sought one. He surrounded her. Her body and soul were united in their need to stay exactly where they were. That only left her mind to surrender.

  “Before we find Duncan and tell him of our mission to unearth Lieutenant Harris’ secrets and stop those who conspire against Princess Victoria, I think you need to kiss me again.”

  She saw a flash of relief before his hungry lips found hers. Heat burned through Allie as though he branded her soul, welding them together as they plunged down a dark path.

  4

  Allie, Jared, and Duncan deliberately stayed away from the Edinburgh library that afternoon to allow Zeb and Eloise quiet time together. Much to the relief of Duncan, who paled at the idea of a library tour as though Allie had announced an impromptu calculus exam. Instead, they rode out to the KRAC base for a training session. Only once they had expended some energy and gone back to the house to change did they take the carriage toward town and the coffee shop.

  “We need to walk from here,” Jared said as the carriage halted.

  Allie stared at the buildings surrounding her. They seemed to have stepped back into time to the medieval period. Before them stretched a narrow lane paved with uneven cobbles. The tall buildings leaned together, as they though would topple any moment, and daylight struggled to make it past the shingled roofs. Their timber faces were weathered to near black, and windows made of thick glass distorted the view.

  “How did you ever find this place?” Allie wrapped her coat tighter around her body. The temperature dropped as they walked down the alley.

  “That is a story for another day. Let’s just say it was an adventure that ended up here and we liked it so much, we kept coming back.” Jared stopped by a door with a heavy brass knocker. The thick wood was split in several places as though someone hit it with an axe. One bit was charred; perhaps the axe wielder had a friend carrying a lit torch.