She pointed a shaking finger at him. “You just stay over there, Monk. Not all of us have the same infernal control over our baser instincts as you do.”
Lucian smothered his laughter by covering his mouth with his hand.
She finished tying her boots and stood. “Alright, I’m ready.”
Lucian reached for her, and Effie danced out of his grasp. “Oh no, if I have to keep my hands to myself, so do you.”
Her Guardian scowled and dropped his hand.
Effie grinned with wicked glee. Finally, she wasn’t the only one battling her desire. This should be an interesting excursion.
I wonder which one of us will give in first.
Chapter 19
Lucian walked beside her down the twisted streets of the town, his hands clasped behind his back. Effie hadn’t had a reason to come back here since her unfortunate incident in the tavern.
“Does this place have a name?” she asked.
“Vil d’lume, the city of light,” Lucian answered.
Effie’s eyes roamed the silvery sheen of the buildings, loving how they sparkled in the afternoon sun. It was a fitting name. A feeling of peace settled in her chest, the contentment something she hadn’t experienced more than a handful of times in her life.
“It really is beautiful here,” she said with a sigh.
Lucian nodded. “In all my travels I’ve yet to find anything quite like the Keepers’ city. It’s a well-guarded secret.”
“I can understand why.”
As they moved further away from the citadel and into the actual heart of the city, the streets began to swell with people. All along the main street, shops were open, colorful items on display in their windows. The air was filled with the mouth-watering scents of freshly baked breads and fragrant spices.
Effie couldn’t help but notice the townsfolk giving her and Lucian a wide berth.
Lucian caught her slight frown. “It’s not their fault. I’ve acquired a bit of a reputation.”
She was used to being on the receiving end of sideways looks and thoughtless hatred. She’d had no choice but to learn how to ignore those who condemned anything different. So her reaction now, seeing that same ignorance thrown at Lucian, shocked her.
Her anger was swift, rising like a tidal wave ready to come crashing down on everything in its wake. She expected more of these people. How dare they condemn a man who’d spent his life protecting them.
Jaw clenched, she took a step toward a woman who had grabbed her son by the hand and pulled him across the street, making a sign to ward off evil with her other hand.
Lucian stopped Effie with a hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay,” he said.
“No, it’s not,” she insisted, giving the woman a dark look.
The woman blanched, tugging her son into a stumbling run behind her as she raced down the street.
“You deserve better than their ambivalence and definitely more than outright disrespect.”
Lucian rested his rough palm against her cheek. “So did you.”
Effie sucked in a harsh breath, his words soothing a decades-old ache.
“I’m lucky I have one as fierce as you ready to defend me,” he added with a slight smile.
She laughed at the absurdity of it. “As if you need anyone to defend you.”
“Need? Perhaps not, but it makes the gesture all the more meaningful. I cannot remember the last time someone was offended on my behalf. Especially over so slight a snub.”
“Yeah, well,” she said with a shrug, “I’ve learned from the best.”
Lucian chuckled, lowering his hand and holding it out to her. Effie wasted no time before weaving her fingers through his. Her earlier insistence had no place here. A public show of acceptance, of pride at walking beside the Guardian, was more important than any silly game she’d been playing. Let the others hold on to their ignorance. She’d defy them by openly flaunting her joy at being with him. They could choose hate, but she would choose love.
Every time.
Effie surprised him by pressing a kiss to the back of his scarred hand.
Lucian’s eyes were unreadable as he stared down at her, a subtle smile curving his lips. The moment stretched until a light breeze sent her curls flying into her eyes, breaking it.
“So, what do Smoke and the Mirrors want you to do while we’re here? Is there some dark and musty shop where a nondescript package will be waiting for us?” she asked.
“Nothing that exciting.”
“Why send you, then? I got the impression they only sent their Guardians on the most important tasks.”
Lucian lifted an amused brow. “Why can’t a perimeter check of the city be important?”
“Is that what we’re doing?” she asked, feeling a little letdown.
“More or less. These folks are under the Triumvirate’s care just as much as those dwelling in the citadel. I’m here to get a general feel for the city, ensure that the people are happy and things are continuing to run smoothly despite the chaos outside these metaphorical gates.”
“I still don’t see why you are the one given this task. Seems simple enough.”
Lucian shrugged. “Only a Guardian can see past the surface.”
“Ah, yes. That would be handy.”
He squeezed her hand. “Routine checks are essential. They can be the difference in whether we have warning of impending issues or not. It’s always better to be prepared.”
“I can’t imagine there are too many major crises that arise here,” she murmured, her eyes scanning the unguarded faces of people going about their day.
“Suppose it would depend on who you ask. People are people, everywhere you go. Petty crimes, domestic disputes . . .” Lucian trailed off to give her a pointed stare, “drunken debauchery.”
Effie’s cheeks warmed remembering her first night in the Pickled Piper. “There’s something to be said for knowing how to unwind,” she answered primly.
Lucian chuckled. “Does this mean you intend to continue your gambling career?”
Grimacing, she shook her head. “I don’t think I have what it takes to make a true go of it.”
He ran his thumb along the back of her hand, sending tingles racing along her skin. “Ah, I don’t know about that. Something tells me you are better at hiding your thoughts than most.”
“Maybe that was true once.”
“It’s not a skill easily forgotten.”
“Is it a skill?” she asked, looking up at him.
“Absolutely. Especially during negotiations or on a battlefield. The less your opponent can predict what you’re thinking, the longer you hold the upper hand.”
“Who knew?” she murmured, finding it ironic that a life of servitude and trying not to draw the attention of others would be such good practice.
Effie’s steps slowed to a crawl as her attention snagged on a painting in the window beside her.
It depicted a battle between three creatures Effie had only heard about in stories. In the center, a woman surged up out of the water, the bottom half of her tail coiling beneath her as water whipped around her like a cyclone. In the air, to her left, a dragon with blood-red scales spewed white-hot flames, turning the top of her water into mist. And on the land, to the right of them both, was a beast—his body both man and horse—his muscles bunched as he aimed his arrow at the dragon above.