“You’re awfully nosy,” he says. He steps closer and lowers his voice, so that no one around can hear us. I instinctively lean into him. “Why are you so curious?”
“Because I’m curious about what you do when you’re not with me. Because...because I’ve heard rumors about you, and I—”
“What rumors?” he asks sharply. He searches my face, and I wish I knew what he was thinking. His expression is always unreadable; he may as well also be wearing a mask. What does he think about my appearance? Does it bother him like it does everyone else?
“Nothing in particular,” I say.
He takes a step closer, so that we’re nearly chest to chest. There’s a rustle to our left from those passing us, but I’m too distracted to care.
“I know you’re one of those people who never talks about themselves,” I say. “I can tell. You don’t. But you can tell me. We’re friends, you know.”
“Friends?”
“Well, I’m not just your client. We’re clearly friends.” I’ve hoped this is true, but his tone is starting to make me wonder if he feels differently.
“Because we do friend things, clearly. Like interrogate people and...flee from tumultuous cities.”
I gesture between us. “But...I listen to you ramble. I tried your gin because you like it—even though it’s disgusting. I even had Nicoleta wash the white shirt you lent me. That’s something a friend would do. I say we’re friends. We’re...we’re at a party together.”
I don’t know whether it’s because I’m so far from my tent, from the depression that hangs over it, or if it’s because I’m feeling brave or desperate for human connection. But, for whatever reason, I press my lips against his. I didn’t dwell on this decision before I made it. I didn’t think at all.
His lips are soft and the skin around them is smooth from a recent shave. I inhale the scent of his sandalwood soap while pressing a hand against his vest. Maybe Kahina was wrong about romance in my fortune.
He stands absolutely still, tense. His eyes are closed, but he’s barely opened his mouth. Even though I’ve never kissed someone before, it doesn’t take an expert to realize when someone isn’t kissing you back. I pull away, mortified.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I’m not sure what I was thinking.” Even though I know exactly what I was thinking. That maybe he saw past my deformity. That our relationship had extended beyond business.
He doesn’t say anything.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” I have the urge to hide my face in my hands and run.
He studies the silver handle of his cane. “No. Don’t apologize. I’m not usually...put in this position. Can we talk about this tomorrow? I need to think.”
“You need to think?”
“Yes. I need to think,” he says, suddenly flustered. I’ve never seen him so uncomfortable before. “Because I think about everything, over and over, and I think myself into things, and I think myself out of things. And I need to think. Are you...are you upset?”
“No.” I cross my arms, forcing my face into neutrality. “I’m fine. It’s fine. We’re fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He pauses once more to examine my face, his eyebrows knit together. Then he turns on his heels, straightens rigidly and disappears out of the green torchlight of the Downhill.
Someone giggles to my right, and I whip around, my face flushed with embarrassment. Who was watching us? Well, they certainly got quite the show. I cover my face and mask with my hands. The last thing I need is for someone to recognize me and make me the laughingstock of the whole Festival.
“Don’t be rude,” someone hisses. I realize that it sounds like Hawk.
“Unu? Du? Hawk?” I say.
The three of them appear in the torchlight, their eyes wide from being caught.
“How long have you been there?” I ask.
“You kissed him,” Du says. He makes kissy noises.
“You spit in my ear,” Unu mutters. He yanks on a piece of Du’s hair, making him curse.
“None of you should be in the Downhill,” I say. I grab Unu by his shoulder and Hawk by her wing, and then I drag them down the path with me. “You’ll be grounded if Nicoleta finds out. And since you were so rudely stalking me...I might just tell her.”
“We wanted to see where you go to every night!” Unu blubbers. Unu hates getting in trouble. “We...we were worried about you.”
“You’re a terrible liar.”
I glance between the three faces. I can tell they’re all embarrassed, not so much at being caught, but because I doubt they intended to witness such an awkward scene while spying. That doesn’t make me any less annoyed.
“You each owe me three bags of licorice cherries,” I tell them. “Unu and Du, you count as two people.”
They gape at me. That’s a decent amount of money. But if I tell Nicoleta, they won’t be allowed out of the tent for a week. Hawk won’t get to practice her fiddle with those kids in the orphan tents she visits. And Unu and Du won’t be able to gamble away their allowances in the games neighborhood.
“And say you’re sorry,” I say.
“Sorry,” they chorus.
I flick their cheeks, now more amused than angry. “Yeah, you are.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The next afternoon, Nicoleta is the first to rise, as usual. As per her morning ritual, she throws on clothes, climbs out of the caravan and seeks out a vendor to buy everyone breakfast. Usually, Crown cooks for all of us but not when the Festival is traveling. Instead, we subsist on fruit, sugar-coated nuts and various candies until we reach the next city.
Once Nicoleta jumps onto the road, I wrap myself in my cloak and follow her. She is already far down the path on her walk, and I run to catch up. I tap her on the shoulder, and she screams.
“Sorina! I didn’t hear you. It’s so early—what are you doing awake?”
“I wanted to talk to you. It’s important. I need your help.”
“Is this about Luca von Raske? You told me you would tell me how the investigations were going, but you haven’t said a word.”
“It’s not about him. It’s about my investigation with Villiam.” As we walk, I am careful to keep my voice low as I explain what I have learned over the past two weeks to Nicoleta. “Chimal wants Hawk involved in the wedding that is happening in two weeks.”
“Absolutely not. Honestly, I’m shocked that Villiam would stand by Chimal’s suggestion.”
“He gave me a day to think it over, at least,” I say.
Nicoleta turns the copper coins over in her hand as she thinks. “They don’t have any evidence to support their claims that this so-called Alliance is responsible. I’m worried that Villiam is simply pulling you into his political affairs.”
“Whether or not the Alliance is responsible, these affairs will one day become my own. I want to help him. I just don’t want Hawk involved.”
Nicoleta ponders this. “Why is he so set on Hawk?”
“He said the Up-Mountainers will be prepared for normal forms of jynx-work. Obviously, Hawk’s abilities are unique.”
We approach a small vending cart, only now opening its shop. The vendor, a young man with a birthmark on his cheek, smiles as Nicoleta approaches. “I gave you some extra licorice cherries this time. I know how you like them.”
“They’re for my brothers, actually. That’s very kind of you.”
Nicoleta fishes in her pocket for some extra coins, but when she hands them to the man, he shakes his head. “They are a gift.” He smiles a second time, and Nicoleta does her best to appear gracious. He must not know that she has never been inclined toward men.
She takes them, looking more than a little uncomfortable. I wonder if she still misses Adenneya. Their relationship ended nearly a year ago, and, unlike Venera, Nicoleta avoids all discussion of her private life. I should ask Luca how well he knows Adenneya. And if she misses Nicoleta, as well.
As we leave, I realize with mild annoyance that the man never paid me a moment of attention, not even to inquire who I am. I suddenly feel very much like the ugly sister.