steifann entered the room quietly. Corson was still asleep, her hair spread loose on the pillows. He stood over her a moment and then placed his hand on her back. Without opening her eyes she grabbed his wrist and tried to pull him down on top of her.
“Stop that, woman,” he said, sitting down beside her. “Get up.” He slid his arms under her and lifted her up beside him. She leaned against him and mumbled something into his neck.
“What?”
“I’m cold.”
He pulled her closer, cupping her breast in his hand. “Better?”
She nodded, then raised her head and kissed him.
“Will you listen to me? Some madman’s got half the city hunting for you, and all you can think of is screwing.”
“I’m thinking of food, too. I’m hungry.”
“Corson-!”
“Yes. I’m listening.”
“The Windhover leaves with the morning tide. Destiver’s agreed to take the two of you.”
“Oh,” said Corson dispiritedly. “How much will it cost?”
Steifann cleared his throat and mentioned a sum. Corson gasped.
“If you don’t have the money, Corson, I’ll get it for you.”
She was disgusted. The price would take most of what Nyctasia had paid her. All that hard-earned money gone-and for what? Curse Lady Nyctasia and her stinking family! “No, I can pay it. But what about the captain, Steifann, and the crew?
Can they be trusted? What’s to keep them from trying to collect the passage money and the reward too?”
“Don’t worry, I know Destiver. She’ll keep her word.”
“She?” said Corson, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. “How well do you know her?”
“We’re old friends,” he grinned. “She’d do anything for me.”
“Old friends? I know what that-”
They were interrupted by the arrival of Annin. “Corson, keep your voice down!
And put your clothes on. There’s no time to lose.”
“What happened?” Corson demanded. “Did you find her?”
“I’m sorry, Corson, she’s been taken. It’s all over the docks.”
Corson cursed softly. “What have you heard?” she said, pulling on her breeches.
“Wild rumors, mostly. This woman’s a spy. A faithless wife. A foreign princess-or a prince, for that matter. They took her asleep, or, if you like, she fought like a demon and killed three guards.” Annin shrugged. “But all the tales agree that they found her at The Crow’s Nest and took her prisoner.”
“Where did they go?”
“To Rhostshyl. Or to Liruvath. To a mansion in the center of town! Nobody knows.
The question is, has she told them where you are? They might be here at any moment-we have to get you to the ship now! I’ll fetch the cart. You lovebirds say your farewells, and don’t be long about it.”
As soon as she was gone, Corson belted on her sword. “They won’t be after me, now that they’ve found her. They probably thought I could lead them to her. I’ll be safe enough.”
Steifann caught her in a bear hug and kissed her. “Why don’t you take up some sort of honest work, you worthless wretch?”
Corson broke away reluctantly. “I’ll be careful. Tell Annin not to worry.”
He followed her to the door, trying to bar her way. “Corson, you can’t go after that woman-you don’t even know where she is! Or do you?”
“I might. If I’m wrong, I’ll go to the ship without her.”
“And if you’re right?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I’ll probably go to the ship without her anyway.
I’m not about to try anything foolish. I’ll be back in a month or two, when this affair’s forgotten.” She kissed Steifann on the ear. “And if I find out you’ve been sleeping with this Destiver,” she whispered, “when I come back, I’ll kill you!”
Steifann cuffed her gently and let her go. “Send me word that you’re safe,” he said.
“I will-soon. Nothing will happen to me.”
He watched her cross the courtyard. At the gate she turned and waved to him, then disappeared into the alleyway.
“I must be out of my mind,” she thought. “I’m going to get myself killed!”