Free The Dream Thief by Shana Abe Page B

faith, snapdragon. And for a man of my trade, faith is never
free. If you wish me to believe you, if you wish me to trust you and let you
haul us willy-nilly through all the mud holes of this bloody continent just on
your say-so, then you’re going to offer me something in return.” He placed a
cube of cheese upon her plate. “I don’t want all your secrets, Amalia. Just the
ones that set my arse on the line.”
    Lia said slowly, “I heard it in a
dream.”
    His expression did not alter. “Is
that so?”
    She inclined her head.
    “And is that how you know where
it is now? From…your dreams?”
    “You needn’t sound so skeptical.
It is true.”
    “Forgive me.” He tipped back his
head and smiled at the peach plaster ceiling. “I find myself astonished that
I’ve actually thrown my fortune in with a girl who’s willing to risk her
life—and mine— over the visions dancing in her head.”
    She was used to the seduction in
his voice, she was used to the soft-stated command; she was not used to his
contempt. Lia leaned across the table until the edge bit into the bones of her
corset. “You know I’m not a girl. You know what I am. I’ve dreamed it, and it’s
true. You may believe me or not, I don’t care. But you asked, so I’ve told you.
In the future if you’d like me lie to you to soothe your nerves, pray inform me
now.”
    His gaze returned to hers. From
across the chamber a woman’s laughter dissolved into giggles; the clatter of
silver against china was very loud in her ears.
    “Do you think you could? Lie to me,
I mean?”
    “Without the slightest of
qualms,” she snapped.
    Zane picked up his knife again,
examining the mother-of-pearl handle. “I confess the sight of you does appear
to make my will a trifle weak. Perhaps a few lies, then. Small ones, I beg you,
just to ease my missish nerves.”
    She stared at him, uncertain if
he had complimented her or not. When he glanced up at her once more, his eyes
were wolfish bright.
    “We’re to venture forth to the
queen of the fairies,” Lia said. “She’ll welcome us with minstrels and tamed
bears and all the caviar we can eat. The diamond’s waiting for us on a pillow
of purple velvet. We ’ll ride an enchanted carpet back home.”
    “And there we’ll dwell, happily
forever after,” the thief finished, dry.
    “Exactly.”
    “Wonderful. I’m much relieved.
Where might we find this fairy queen?”
    “In the mountains, I think. In
the Carpathians.”
    “You
think,” he said, and the blade began to tap against his plate.
    “I
believe I’ve offered enough for one evening.” Lia sat back, pulling her shawl
closer. “You’ve told me your faith isn’t free—well, I’ve decided neither is
mine. It’s your turn to offer me something.”
    As soon as she said it she
realized how it sounded; heat began to climb up her throat.
    “My protection?” Zane inquired,
watching her with his mouth faintly curved. “My gallant company? No, no, I see
you require something slightly more valuable. Fair enough.” He used the flat of
his knife to serve her another portion of cheese; she hadn’t touched the first.
“The gentlemen at the table square to our right—no, my lady, don’t look. Good
heavens, you’re smarter than that. Drink your tea, move only your eyes…there.
Do you see them?”
    “Yes.”
    “Tell me what you think of them.
Quietly, s’il vous plaît. ”
    They seemed unremarkable: two
young men in wigs and cravats, their coats cut too wide, watch chains dangling,
their stockings not quite clean. They were sharing a jug of ale and a steaming
pot of sausage stew, speaking in whispers and sending frequent glances to a pair
of young ladies at another table not far across the chamber.
    The ladies, Lia noted, were even
more simply dressed, and accompanied by an older, scowling woman in a mobcap.
The three of them ignored the men.
    “Baronets, or squires,” she said
after a moment. “Or whatever such a title might be out here.