The Kraken King, Part 7 Read Free Page B

meant to say, but a touch of Mara’s hand stopped her. As smoothly as she could, Zenobia looked to Lady Nagamochi again. “—I hope you will come and have tea with me.”
    As soon as she gave the invitation, Zenobia remembered the woman’s mask, and felt more horrid and stupid than she’d ever felt. Oh, if only Helene were here. Her friend wouldn’t make these gaffes.
    But the captain of the guard had all the poise and elegance of ten ambassador’s wives, and somehow put Zenobia at ease with the slight smile in her eyes and another inclination of her head. “You are very kind, but my duty forbids it. Her majesty only wishes to ascertain the safety of everyone within her city, and to maintain its order and harmony.”
    And so they were to be watched more closely? Zenobia tried not to bristle. “My husband and I would not bring harm to anyone here. He only seeks help for his own people.”
    Lady Nagamochi met that response with a slow nod and steady gaze. “As I said—her majesty wishes to make certain
everyone
is safe.”
    Including Ariq and her, the message was. Zenobia wasn’t sure she believed it.
    But she was sure she shouldn’t say so. “Do you have reason to think we would
not
be safe?”
    Had Admiral Tatsukawa returned, perhaps? Did he have supporters who wanted to silence Ariq, so that he couldn’t speak about the kidnapping plot the admiral had helped Ghazan Bator carry out or give the true reason a Nipponese fleet threatened every settlement in western Australia?
    â€œIt is only precaution,” Lady Nagamochi said, and stepped back as her soldiers filed out of the courtyard to the airship. The engines fired. “We wish you good evening, Madame Fox.”
    With that farewell, she joined the tail of her soldiers’ line. Oh, damn it all.
    â€œMy lady!” Zenobia called and waited until the other woman looked back. “My husband hopes for a meeting with her majesty or her advisers.”
    â€œWe are aware,” the captain said and continued onto the platform.
    Mara and Cooper waited with her on the terrace as the gangway pulled back into the ship with a clicking of gears. Not a word passed between them as it lifted from the docking platform. As soon as it flew out of sight behind the bulk of the tower, Zenobia spun and hurried to her chambers. Her heart plummeted.
    A clockwork horse stood beside the doors to her private balcony, positioned so that its unblinking eyes observed most of the room. Only a small portion on the eastern side of the chamber—and the bed behind the screen—would be out of its view.
    â€œShe was aware,” Zenobia whispered as she heard Mara come up behind her. “So is this good or bad?”
    â€œI don’t know,” the mercenary said, but the tightness of her response echoed the taut anxiety building in Zenobia’s chest.
    â€œAre there new devices in the other chambers?”
    â€œI don’t think so.”
    They knew which room she shared with Ariq. “If we move to another?”
    â€œThey might believe you’re hiding something.”
    Damn it. Zenobia closed her eyes.
    A
click
made her open them again. The horse’s head rotated before stopping with its lidless gaze now overseeing the eastern side of the chamber. Not just watching. Making sure it saw everything.
    For now, Zenobia wouldn’t give it anything to see.
    â€œLet’s go to the baths,” she said.
    ***
    Lanterns on the terrace guided Ariq’s hired airship in. Cooper stood in the faint glow, waiting. Ariq hoped the mercenary had news for him, because he was bringing none to them.
    Three days and not a single rutting thing to show for it except the frustration and anger that burned like acid in his chest.
    The fleet he’d seen off the northern coast would have reached his town by now. If they still followed their original orders, the fleet shouldn’t be a threat