A Dark and Starless Night

Chapter Nine

Eve started at the voice, jumping up. The chair fell backwards, clattering against the ground.

The man was wearing the uniform of the city guard – a maroon-coloured shirt and a dark pair of trousers. He was taller than her, but not by much. It was clear he was a lot older than she was as his head was balding and what facial hair he did have was beginning to grey. His thick brows were pulled down over his eyes and his expression wasn't kind.

"I asked you a question," he said in his gruff voice, when she didn't reply quickly enough.

She smoothed her hands down her skirt, doing her best to remain calm.

"I am Duchess Evelyn Mintarryl," she said, head high. "I'm reviewing some of the details of the murder case."

"I know what you told my boy, Your Grace," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. "And I'm well aware your uncle has nothing to do with the Greydocks. People die all the time here. Why has he got such an interest in some dead whore?"

Breathe. "People die all the time, but murder?"

He scoffed. "I see you're not familiar with the gang violence in our fair city. Though," he said, gripping the hilt of his sword as his smirk grew, "it's not really your city at all is it?"

Anger sparked in her veins and she had to channel all her lessons into remaining somewhat calm. "Is that why you've not managed to find any substantial leads? Because she's not a born Zyrnan?"

"I don't like what you're implying, Duchess. I've heard about you and your whore mother. And the Archduke can do whatever he pleases. But neither him nor your friend the prince will stop me having you in irons if I catch you sticking your dirt-coloured nose in this case again. Now," he said, marching past her to grab the files, "get out of my barracks."

She couldn't stop her trembling as she hurried through the streets to where she knew she would find May. She needed a distraction, a soothing presence, and May would be just that. Eve knew exactly where to find her at this time of the week; she was likely getting her weekly fitting at the best tailor in Teryon.

Eve pushed the door open, the bell ringing. An attendant looked up from his book and smiled warmly at her.

"I'm looking for the Estarnele fitting," she said, and the attendant pointed to the room. She hoped he only did it because he recognised her. She rapped on the door and was welcomed in.

"Good morning," May said, meeting Eve's eyes through the mirror and smiling brightly. That smile faltered as May took in Eve's expression. "Is everything all right?"

"I don't want to talk about it to be honest. I was hoping we could do something fun?"

May nodded her head firmly. So far the tailor hadn't even flinched, but now she pulled her hand away, placing her pins into the cushion.

"That's enough for today, thank you, Lady May," the tailor said, straightening up.

"Thanks, Kia," May said, smiling and going behind the curtain to change into her day clothes – a pair of loose trousers that were blue and a white shirt. "Where to?"

A quick trip to Adive's Stables in the Golden Quarter and they were riding on the outskirts of the city. There were trees here, a sparse forest where stags roamed, stocked for nobles to hunt. Eve had wanted so desperately to unload on May. But that would involve confessing that she'd broken her promise – no something she thought was the best idea.

But riding – that was therapeutic in and of itself. She couldn't remember the last time she'd gone on a ride for the fun of it. Both of their cheeks were flushed with excitement as they made their way down the hill that led to the beach. They laughed as the horses slowed with the shift in terrain. Eve ran her hand down the neck of her horse, pulling them to a slow. There was a light in May's eyes that reminded Eve that they were young – May was only just turned sixteen and Eve had turned seventeen this year. And youth, as Don always said, was the time for careless fun and meaningless mistakes. Even though it wasn't the most careless, seeing as May's guards followed them closely.