Leo inhaled sharply as if her words had stabbed him through the heart.
Her eyes glimmered with tears. “I’ve heard some horrible things about him.”
He pressed back into the corner. “You shouldn’t believe everything you hear.”
“Is it true? Does his touch kill people?”
Yes. Leo’s heart wrenched. “He will not harm you.”
She leaned closer, her hand resting on the grate. “Do you know him?”
Leo swallowed hard. “Yes. You need not fear him. He will not harm you.”
A tear rolled down her cheek. “Oh, thank you, Father. You made me feel much better.”
You nearly killed me. “You may go. May the Light shine upon you always.”
“And you. Thank you, Father.” She left the booth and soon he could hear her talking sweetly to Brody. Telling him what a good dog he was. How cute he was. How brave he was. Dammit. No wonder the dog shifter was smitten.
The chapel door shut with a thud, and Leo emerged from the booth. No one in sight. He slipped through the door to the priests’ private rooms.
Chapter Eight
You need not fear him. He will not harm you. Luciana repeated those lines to herself as she hurried back to her bedchamber. Her heart grew lighter; her step acquired an extra bounce. Who would have thought that a priest of the Light could make her feel so much better?
Back in her room, she paced about. Was she supposed to do nothing until the banquet that evening? She stopped with a jerk. Of course, the banquet!
She rushed to the dressing room to take off the green velvet gown.
“What on Aerthlan are you doing?” Tatiana asked.
“Oh, you’re back.” Luciana selected a simple cream-colored linen gown and slipped it over her head.
“Do you have a strange aversion to pretty things?” Tatiana asked with an incredulous look. “That’s the second ugliest gown I own. I never wear it. It fits like a sack.”
“I have the utmost respect for your lovely gowns.” Luciana tied a brown leather cord around her waist. “That’s why I’m wearing this. I’m going to work in the kitchens.”
“What?”
“There’s a banquet tonight. I’m sure they could use some help.” Luciana returned the green velvet gown to its shelf and smoothed it out.
“Don’t go to the kitchens.”
Luciana turned toward her sister. Tatiana seemed paler than usual, and her form was wavering, a sure sign of distress. “What’s wrong?”
Tatiana wrung her hands. “Don’t go to the kitchens.”
“Why not?”
Tatiana hesitated, then crossed her arms. “Just don’t. Are you trying to ruin my reputation?”
“Yes.” Luciana smiled at the horrified look on her sister’s face. “This is the new me, or rather, the new you. You see, after your brush with death, you had an epiphany.”
Tatiana huffed. “I have never had a seizure.”
“Not epilepsy.” Luciana braided her hair in a simple ponytail. “The head cook is named Yulissa, right?”
“Don’t go.” Tatiana flickered, then disappeared.
Luciana wondered what was upsetting her sister as she left the bedchamber. Jensen hadn’t returned yet, but Pirate was waiting outside her door. He followed her down the stairs and out the door into the courtyard.
“We’re going to the kitchens,” she told the dog as they passed through the south gate. “Maybe I can find something yummy for you.”
Pirate woofed a reply and grinned at her.
“Be a good boy and wait right here,” she told him at the entrance to the large stone building.
She peeked inside and saw a dozen servants bustling about. The head cook, Yulissa, was shouting out orders as she rolled out some pie dough. The scullery maid was washing dishes, while other servants were chopping fruits and vegetables. A pig was roasting in the huge fireplace and large pots of soup were boiling. In the oven, bread was baking.
Luciana lingered at the entrance, letting the delicious aromas sweep over her.
“We’re going to need more carrots,” one servant said.
“And more onions and cabbage,” said another.
“Good afternoon,” Luciana greeted them with her best Eberoni accent. She smiled as everyone spun around to gape at her. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Their jaws dropped even farther.
Luciana noticed a pile of wet, recently washed dishes next to the sink. “Shall I dry these for you?” She grabbed a clean linen towel.
“N-no,” the scullery maid stammered. “That is much too hard for your ladyship.”
Luciana grinned as she dried a pewter plate. “Not hard at all.” She dried a second plate and stacked it on top of the first. “So how have you all been?”
The servants stared at her, then at one another.
“My dear child.” Yulissa smiled tremulously, her eyes soft with emotion. “It is good to see you again.”
“I think it’s been ten years,” one servant whispered.
“Aye,” another agreed. “Ever since the … accident.” She gave Yulissa a sad look.
Accident? Luciana picked up a goblet to dry.
“I have such fond memories of your ladyship and my sweet Christopher.” Yulissa blinked as tears glimmered in her eyes. “The two of you would help me roll out the dough for pies and biscuits. And then I would give you a few biscuits fresh from the oven. You were such good friends.”