The Elements of the Gate by Kay L. Moody

Author:Kay L. Moody
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marten Press

THIRTY-FIVE

A CARRIAGE WOULD DELIVER TALISE INTO THE same city the next morning.

Returning to the city as the princess after spending three nights in a gambling den wasn’t the best decision she had ever made in her life. But she had to at least pretend she was continuing her tour through the Gate. The people might get suspicious if she didn’t.

As Wendy finished off a dramatic swipe of eye liner on Talise’s left eye, she took a step back and surveyed the look.

Talise fidgeted under the scrutiny, readjusting the royal blue and silver brocade fabric of her flowing skirt. “I know the dress and makeup make me look different, but I still think someone might recognize me.”

Wendy shrugged and slipped a dagger into her brown belt. “That’s a chance we’ll have to take.”

Wendy and Claye wouldn’t have to worry about being recognized. They’d be wearing helmets that covered their faces. And Talise did look different with her hair down. She ran her fingers through the long strands, wondering if it would take too much time to find someone who could cut it soon.

With so many other things going on, cutting her hair hadn’t been a priority. But the growing length reminded her a little too much of her childhood for her liking.

“Are you two ever going to be ready?” Claye asked loudly from outside the tent. “It’s been over an hour since Rio rode into the city to tell them the princess would be coming.”

Wendy rolled her eyes, but Talise jumped to her feet and headed for the tent entrance. She snatched a silver dagger from the trunk at the end of her bed. It fit perfectly in the hidden pocket of her dress. She hadn’t thrown out Aaden’s flame-engraved dagger yet, but most days, it sat at the bottom of her trunk while she carried the silver dagger instead.

Claye’s eyes brightened the moment Talise exited the tent. With his helmet tucked under one arm and his hair falling in messy chunks over his forehead, he looked good. She could almost admit that to herself without feeling guilty.

“Are the soldiers ready?” she asked.

“Yep. One squad is still packing up the tents. They’ll join us in the city once they’re finished. Everyone else is just waiting for you.” He nudged her with his shoulder while wearing a lopsided grin.

Why did that grin have no effect on her for five years only to make her stomach buzz every time she saw it now? She ignored that question, as she had been doing with all questions even remotely like it.

A few minutes later, Talise sat in the rolling carriage with Wendy and Claye on the way to the city for the fourth time. Since they’d been surrounded by strangers or soldiers since the Forces game last night, this was the first chance they’d been alone.

Talise didn’t even have to look at her friend before Wendy launched into what she had learned the night before. “The amulet is hidden in one of Kessoku’s bases. You’ll never believe where.

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