Moving Gears

"I was thinking about what you said earlier," Adelia said, reaching up to press her hands over her cheeks, subtly shying back half a step so his hand sank back down, while she pretended to feel abashed.

Swallowing down the disgust she felt with practiced ease she looked up at him from beneath her lashes, "My husband, I... I fear he has no interest in me. It shames me to admit as much."

He made a low noise, as though he felt sorry for her, but it lacked any genuine concern or sympathy. She doubted he was even capable of such emotions. "Poor thing," he murmured, but there was an undertone of ugly delight that ruined his already shoddy pretense at empathy. "A pretty lady should not suffer such indignity."

Because a pretty lady was meant to lie back and think of the heirs she was expected to produce and defer to her husband in all regards. If she was lucky she was married to someone who valued her opinion, but if she wasn't then no one cared to change anything. Lord Emmertal's continued welcome at court was proof enough of that.

She was so glad to be gone from her home, to be here instead, married to Rowan who saw her as an equal, who treated her like one, who was good to her. Who was kind and caring and she would always and forever prefer the monster he was to the one Lord Emmertal embodied.

"There is nothing to be done about it, however, I'm afraid," she whispered, lowering her gaze as though saddened by her life without letting Lord Emmertal out of her sight. "Even untouched as I am, there is no escape for me from these cold, barbaric lands."

It was a little more forward than she would have been otherwise and especially with anyone but her best friends, but she needed Lord Emmertal to take the bait. She needed his attention to shift entirely to her, for him to forget about Katrina. She needed him to lap his death from her fingertips.

And there it was, that flash of dark, ugly hunger in his eyes, just like she had wanted. She wondered if all men were this easy to convince, so long as one dangled what they desired before them.

"You don't sound very happy, my lady," Lord Emmertal said with the sort of slightly off-sounding softness, as though he tried to sound compassionate and coaxing, but didn't manage to hit those tones correctly.

"Tell me true, little lady," he continued before she could say anything else. "Has your husband truly not touched you?" This, at least, Adelia did not have to lie about, though she also didn't like saying the truth.

She wanted to guard this part of her, the kindness Rowan had shown her during their wedding night, the respect and consideration he had shown her then and every day since. Lord Emmertal could not measure up to Rowan if he tried for the rest of his measly little life.

"No," she whispered and added, carefully cautious, hoping to lure him in like a fly into a trap, "My husband, he is not a very... warm, person."

Lord Emmertal smiled like he had just gotten something confirmed and Adelia truly did not like that he suspected the true nature of her husband. She felt that flush of protectiveness take hold of her again and it was a fight to stay demure and soft and quietly beseeching. To look like an unhappy young noble lady, one who should live in a grand castle in warmer and more civilized climate.

"We could request an annulment of your marriage," Lord Emmertal mused. "Once I get a healer to check if you indeed are still pure and I would happily wed you instead."

Adelia let her eyes widen, while a feeling like vicious triumph hooked into her heart like the claws of an eagle, as though it was going to take her soaring any moment now. "Oh, but what of Katrina? I would so hate to take something from my dear friend."

He waved her off. "There are other noble sons," he said easily and Adelia knew at once that his choice to marry Katrina had been a way to try to get at her. To cause at least a bit of pain, to have at least a bit of control over her after she managed to escape him, like a hare vanishing into the underbrush, the hound's snapping teeth missing her by millimeters.

But she was no hare, had never been one and neither was he a hound.

"Then... may she stay the night?" she asked and when his expression firmed slightly, she gave him her most innocent, sweet look. The one that had made even her controlled mother soften the faintest bit. "I, um, I missed her so terribly, I already reached out to her parents to ask she stay a bit longer. It is so terribly lonely here, my lord."

She put just enough breathiness into her words so she sounded pained and yearning for connection.

She did not wish to fight him outright on this, it would ruin her sweet pretense, but she would. He would not take Katrina with him. When she saw the flash of darkness in his eyes, sharper and uglier, a desire for control, her mind raced.

"It will give you an excuse," she said, making herself take half a step closer, her voice dropping to a whisper as though she was entrusting him with some secret. "You could come here in... in a week, by then I will have what we need to annul my marriage."

His brows ticked up slightly, and just like she hoped, he was swiftly distracted. "And how might you achieve something like this, my lady?" There was a more considering glint to his eyes, something almost wary and Adelia knew she had to be cautious. If she pressed too much, if she appeared too intelligent, he would grow wary.

So far he knew nothing of her intellect, for Rowan had been the one to snatch her away from him and a lady saying pretty words to defend her home in public was hardly something new at court.

"The steward," Adelia was quick to say. "He has his lord's ear and is trusted and he wishes to leave this place as dearly as I do. If... if there is a chance he'll find employ back home, then he can sneak divorce papers into a pile that need signing. He once mentioned to me he can get anything signed, for Lord Morrow does not pay attention."

Lord Emmertal smiled a little wider at those words. "Interesting. I believe I will find great use for a man of his intellect," he mused, but he did not sound kind at all. More as though he would enjoy interrogating Steward Lambrecht thoroughly.

Not that Adelia would let him lay a single hand on anyone in this keep. As lady it was her duty to defend them and she would.

"Then... I will see you again next week?" she whispered and the smile spreading on his face was a thirsty, terrible thing.

He reached out, gripping her chin and she made herself pliant in his hold, looking up at him as though she was hopeful, silently pleading him to say yes. He needed to fall for her lies.

"You will," he said, releasing her chin and watching her fall back a step, looking like it itched at him to put his hands on her more and it made her skin crawl. "Good night, Lady Adelia. I will take my leave now and I shall come fetch Katrina in a week's time. If you wish to talk then, be sure to greet me without your husband's presence and the appropriate papers."

She allowed her exhale to be audible, to let him hear her relief. He bowed to her then, never breaking eye-contact.

"Be ready to get whisked away, my little lady," he said, before he turned to sweep out the doors.

Adelia waited with baited breath, watching as his mage, who had to wait outside the entrance doors, bowed to him and then they were gone in the blink of an eye, with a little pop and a flurry of displaced snow.

She stepped forward to push the doors closed and a sudden, dizzying rush of emotions gripped her, her knees feeling a little shaky and her hands trembled slightly.

The sound of boots scuffing stone made her flinch upright, her polite mask snapping into place in a heartbeat, only for her to ease when she spotted Captain Ever.

"My Lady." They bowed to her in greeting. "I have been informed of your plans regarding your guests and did not interfere when this lord put his hand on you. I wish to know if I acted correctly or if I should cleave it from his arm the next time he visits."

Adelia wished she could say yes. It would be a rather satisfying thing, to have Lord Emmertal afraid and at the mercy of those around him, to watch him bleed. But she took a deep breath and gave Captain Ever a reassuring smile, pulling herself back together. She had no time for emotional outbursts, not when her friend's life was still in danger.

She had bought time, nothing more.

"You did everything right, Captain Ever," Adelia reassured them. "Though I thank you for your concern and for checking in with me." She made sure her smile was warmer and realer, not like the forced, sweet thing of before. "Please, go and enjoy the festivities if you like, you and the night guard are part of our staff as well, after all, though I also understand if the party might feel rather ruined now."

Captain Ever bowed to her once more. "It does not. While the wolves have left already to run wild, the night guard will enjoy partaking. I will let them know. Don't hesitate to call for any of us, should you need anything. We will hear you easily."

"Of course, thank you," Adelia answered, the stiffness of lies and her careful acting slowly easing away from her again, letting her sound as genuine as she felt. "And thank you for your hard work. Now go, I believe the dancing is still in full swing."

Captain Ever inclined their head and between one moment and the next they were gone, leaving her standing alone. But even that only lasted a second, before Rowan entered the entrance hall, though he was not alone.

Katrina and Izabel were right behind them, followed by Lady Iris and Lady Miriam, along with Lord Ivan and Sorceress Iva. There was a golden gleam to Lady Iris's eyes and a predator grace to her gait that hadn't been there before to this extend.

Katrina rushed forward, eyes big and filling swiftly with tears. Rowan stepped smoothly aside, his gaze lingering on Adelia a moment longer, something along his shoulders relaxing when he saw her unharmed.

"Stop," her friend whispered as soon as she reached Adelia, grabbing her hands even as tears started to fall down her cheeks, her voice trembling but fierce as she almost growled, "Don't you dare die for me."

"No one will die," Adelia answered just as fiercely, freeing her hands to pull her friend into a hug. Against Katrina's temple she whispered, "None but Lord Emmertal."

All at once, as soon as the words and their meaning settled in, Katrina's shoulders trembled and she started to weep in earnest, soft and muffled and helpless. Izabel was quick to join them, wrapping them both up in her arms and Adelia glanced at her other friends and at Rowan, who kept themselves busy off to the side, speaking softly with each other and giving them a moment to themselves.

"He will come for me in a week, Lady Iris told me as much," Katrina whispered, pulling back to quickly dab at her eyes, though there was no hiding their redness. "What then?"

"You will go with Lady Iris," Adelia said softly. No matter what would happen, Katrina would be save in Lady Iris's den of wolves. "I trust her and she will keep you safe. Leave the rest to me."

She was glad that her friends trusted her, that they nodded without demanding more of an explanation, asking her for a detailed plan with backup plans – mostly since she didn't have one, not yet.

Lady Iris stepped forward, a gleam of gold still in her eyes but her smile warm, "Well met, Lady Katrina, I am Iris, it will be an honor to host you."

Katrina swiftly curtseyed her smile warm and it only trembled faintly around the edges, relief and lingering worry, along with lingering fear, lurking in her gaze. "It is my honor," she answered. "If there is any way I can repay you for your aid, don't hesitate to let me know."

"There is no debt to be repaid," Lady Iris waved her off. "However, I fear I will have to whisk you away now, the full moon is tickling at the edges of my senses."

Katrina paused ever so briefly, slightly taken aback and befuddled, but she still nodded. "Far be it from me to hold you up," she answered. "Though, allow me to at least thank you for hosting me, that is very kind of you."

"Aren't you a sweet one," Lady Iris softly, her smile warm and charmed, before she grew more serious. "No harm will befall you among me and mine, nor will this wretch of a foreign lord get his hands on you again, I promise you that."

The front doors got pulled open in that moment and Alb peeked inside, mage robes billowing slightly in the evening wind, snowflakes never once landing on them. They raised a questioning brow and Lady Iris nodded.

"Shall we?" she asked, turning back to Katrina and offering her an arm like a gallant lord might have. Katrina thanked her softly, taking her arm and glancing at Adelia and Izabel once more.

Adelia made sure to give her a reassuring smile, to stand tall and certain and unafraid and she watched her friend's shoulders lose a bit more of rigid tension. Katrina looked exhausted, in that moment and Adelia wondered just how long her friend had silently suffered under the knowledge of her future marriage.

How much sleep she had lost, how alone and terrified she must have felt. She watched as Lady Iris led Katrina to Alb and they vanished in a little stormy flurry of snow.

Turning to Izabel then, Adelia reached out to take her friend's hand, "Would you like to stay as well? We have room for you, if you'd like. I know the mood for dancing and partying is likely gone, but you don't have to leave."

Izabel's smile was a soft, worn thing, like her friend had gotten all her energy sapped in just the past hour. "My parents would have a fit, you know that," she said softly, giving her hands a squeeze. "But maybe I can visit again?"

"Whenever you like," Adelia vowed with clear sincerity. "You and Katrina will always be welcome, even if you decide to show up out of the blue."

Izabel's expression softened, some of the remaining, lingering tension easing out of her. "You're truly a good friend," Izabel said quietly and her smile was a little more real, a little less burdened. "And I am glad to see you so well. I shall come back as soon as I can convince my parents to let me."

She looked more rueful a moment later, "I'm sorry, I wish I could stay and celebrate with you, but..."

"I fully understand," Adelia answered. "I fear I won't join the party again, either, there is too much to do." Plans to run through and people to talk with. She had one week, after all, to figure out how to get rid of Lord Emmertal without risking war.

She knew, of course, that there was technically more time than this week, that it was highly unlikely Lord Emmertal was going to marry Katrina in the heart of winter and that Katrina's parents would keep her at their castle until the wedding day.

But why let her friend suffer for that long? Adelia knew that biting fright, that awful feeling of knowing her life was as good as forfeit and she had only suffered that fear for a mere handful of hours before Rowan had swept in.

Besides, even if the wedding wouldn't take place for months yet, there was always the risk that Lord Emmertal caught on to Adelia's schemes and then he would very likely drag Katrina in front of an altar as quickly as possible.

The second he noticed that something was up, and he would if given enough time, he'd sink his teeth in rather than risk letting another lady escape. Considering who he was, Lord Emmertal likely preferred a quick, fleeting victory over not having one at all.

Adelia would have to bury her friend if that happened, broken and bruised and murdered and none of the other nobles would do anything, just as always. They would just sound and look sad and she'd have to keep swallowing her rage to avoid going for their throats.

No, Lord Emmertal had to be dealt with swiftly and quickly, as quickly as possible so Katrina regained her peace of mind. So she could sleep well once more.

"Be sure to keep writing me letters until you can visit again," Adelia said to Izabel and glanced over to the waiting group, catching Sorceress Iva's gaze and waving her closer. "My friend wishes to depart, would it be possible for you to take her back home?"

"It's no trouble," the older woman said, wrinkles deepening a little as she smiled at Adelia. It was a smile edged in a subtle, magic-laced danger, as though she would have liked killing Lord Emmertal herself. "If there is anything I can do to be of help to get rid of your enemies, don't hesitate to let me know."

"I will, thank you," Adelia answered with a grateful smile. She gave Izabel one more hug before her friend was swept away and she startled slightly when the large entrance doors fell shut behind them seemingly on their own.

Turning around she saw Lady Miriam wriggling her fingers at her, the glow beneath her skin and bones, pulsing like a heartbeat, dimming a little again.

"So, what is the plan?" Lord Ivan asked as they now approached her. Rowan reached her first and she leaned into his gentle touch as he placed his hand on her shoulder. "What flavor of murder would you prefer?"

"One not connected to us," Adelia answered. "And thank you, for stealing his ring."

Lord Ivan smiled, a faint golden shimmer briefly going through his tattoos. "An easy thing for a cleric of the sun and a former street rat who was once quite the adept pickpocket."

That was a little surprising, she had to admit. Back home, priests were meant to be paragons of justice and virtue – not that that was always true, or even just half of the time. But it didn't matter, Adelia decided, so long as Lord Ivan was happy and healthy today. She was glad he no longer had to go hungry.

"If you want, I'll hand the ring over as soon as Rowan is safely away," Lord Ivan offered, wriggling his fingers a little again. "The little stone seems to be of the same make as the bigger one you allowed me to borrow."

Adelia nodded, the last thing she wanted was to hurt Rowan or to poison him – she stilled, something sparking in her mind that she hadn't even thought to consider. Rowan must've noticed, for he leaned slightly forward to look at her, waiting quietly.

"That piece of crystal from the attacked temple," she began, looking at Lord Ivan. "You said it would make people sick?" At his nod, she asked, "Enough to kill them?"

Lord Ivan paused, thoughtful, while Lady Miriam straightened, an eager, bloodthirsty little grin curling across her face and Lord Ivan joined her a moment later, his smile bright in a sharp, burning way.

"Clever girl," Lady Miriam murmured with quiet admiration, the power that surrounded her swelling briefly and washing all around them, like the Deep was quite pleased. Planks creaked beneath Adelia's feet for a moment, a saltwater breeze brushing past her, a powerful entity drifting beneath the surface, seemingly endless and unfathomable.

"I think we can make it deadly," he answered, that golden glimmer going through his tattoos anew. He tipped his head slightly to the side, gaze unerringly fixed on Adelia. "How would you accomplish it? A mage would detect the magic in food or drinks upon inspection and they would notice the crystal."

Adelia turned things over and over in her mind, her friends waiting patiently, Rowan with that dark-red glow in his eyes, his attention so fully focused on her, until, one by one, an idea slotted into place. It felt the same way as when she had made her horse and the bumblebee and the rose and many other things.

The same way she was going to poison Lord Emmertal and get away with it.

"I need my workshop," she said and Rowan gave her shoulder an encouraging squeeze, his smile adoring and bloodthirsty all at once.

They followed her down to her work room and Adelia pulled out a piece of parchment, detailing her idea and Lord Ivan threw his head back, laughing gleefully.

"Oh I love this," he said and he downright purred as he asked, "I can help, can't I?"

"I need your help," Adelia confirmed right away and he cackled, clapping his hands together in dark joy. "And Sorceress Iva's, once she's back. I know my craft, but I don't know hers or yours well enough to do this alone."

To create something that would slip past a mage's detection they needed something that wasn't enchanted. Magical stones she could explain away, some people liked showing off, after all, and mages for all that they were desired, weren't usually welcome in political conversations.

Lord Emmertal would want to speak with her in private, which meant his mage would check any liquids and cups and bottles and surroundings beforehand and upon detecting nothing to worry about, they would leave.

Once they left, then the magic had to happen and for that Adelia needed to figure out how to make a clockwork creation that, upon two halves slotting together, would allow an enchantment to come to life.

Lord Ivan's eyes looked bluer than ever as he leaned forward and whispered, "If you manage to do what I think you intent to, nothing will remain the same afterwards."

"Indeed," Rowan murmured and Adelia glanced at him, her breath slightly catching at the way he looked at her. As though she was brilliant, as though he wanted nothing more than to give her anything and everything, as though he would never tire from watching her create.

"We got a little into it earlier," Lord Ivan said, gesturing at the sketches around and his grin grew wider. "I can't wait to see what we'll have at the end of a week."

The door to her work room opened in that moment and Sorceress Iva stepped inside. "Ever told me you were talking about something that might require me?"

Lord Ivan giggled gleefully. "Oh, Iva, come here and be brilliant with us."

Sorceress Iva stepped forward with quiet curiosity and Adelia and Lord Ivan told her what they had planned and she laughed, her eyes gleaming a little brighter with magic.

"You mean to tell me you want to tear enchantments apart to fit them back together like puzzlie pieces at will and find a way to feed them power without a mage to do it for you?" she asked and at their nods, she grinned, magic curling heavily through the air, tasting of thunderstorms and possibility. "That sounds fun."

Sorceress Iva stepped forward to join them and Adelia paused to look back at Rowan, who looked so very pleased to see them to excited and energized. Adelia stepped towards him for a moment and when she reached out, his hands easily held hers.

His touch didn't make her feel crawling disgust like Lord Emmertal's did. Quite the opposite in fact, she realized. She... enjoyed it. She enjoyed his presence, his thoughtfulness, his bloodlust and monstrousness that never once came close to being detrimental to her.

She couldn't help but think that he was the right kind of husband for her and as she looked up at him, at that bloody glimmer in his dark eyes, she felt an unexpected but also not unwelcome swell of affection towards him.

"Thank you, Rowan, for all your help tonight," she whispered and he smiled at her, wide enough to reveal a hint of his fangs. He raised one hand to his lips, pressing a downright reverent kiss to her knuckles.

"No thanks necessary, my dearest Adelia," he murmured. "You can always count on me."

That she did. It wasn't even a question anymore at this point, she hadn't even thought about asking for his aid. She hadn't doubted for a second that she would receive it, either.

Lady Miriam, who had peeked over Lord Ivan's shoulder until now, chose that moment to step forward.

"While I have undoubtedly many talents, this is not one of them," Lady Miriam said with a regretful twist to her smile as she gestured at the strewn about pages, scrawled handwriting across it, Lord Ivan listening intently as Sorceress Iva explained how mages created enchantments. "Though, do let me know if you require any aid I can provide."

Her smile was a downright villainous thing as she added, "I have no doubt in my mind that you will succeed." She pulled Adelia into her arms, whispering, "The way your eyes gleam has the Deep interested. Should you ever be in need of a patron, it will welcome you with open arms."

With those words and a last squeeze, her friend departed and Rowan huffed softly in wry amusement. "Oh dear, everyone seems intent on stealing my wife these days," he murmured. "It seems I better step up my game so she'll want to stay."

The only way Adelia would leave was if he asked her to. "No need for competition," she answered, reaching out to brush her fingertips against his wrist, her voice softening as she added, "You being yourself is more than enough."

His smile was so lovely in that moment, charmed and warm and quietly adoring and she... oh, she rather wanted to kiss him, didn't she?

"Adelia," Lord Ivan called out, waving her closer. "Leave him to his lovesick sighing and come look at this. I mean, Iva's always been brilliant, but none of us have any idea how clockwork works."

Setting those suddenly realized, warm emotions to the side for the moment, Adelia stepped forward, Lord Ivan making space for her and Sorceress Iva pushing a detailed and yet messy scribble towards her.

With a deeper breath she focused on the goal ahead of her. She'd speak with Rowan later, perhaps, once she had designed Lord Emmertal's end with the aid of these two gifted people.

They had a week, after all, to make this work. To make something that would poison Lord Emmertal just enough that he would leave the keep alive, only to die in his own home. To die from an illness no one could explain and no one could trace back to them.

If they succeeded, there would be no war and Katrina would be safe. And then she would worry about sunshine-stones and crystal-infused temples again and whether or not Rowan might be willing to kiss her back if she asked him to.