gathered from years interrogating souls from every kingdom, he might have heard something.
Haven’s heart sunk even further as Delphine shook her head and mouthed, Sorry.
Immortality was not something that could be bought.
But Haven refused to give up on the idea entirely. “What if, what if someone has the paintings, but they don’t know what they are? What if, whoever stole them gave them away to someone who had no idea what they have?”
“Right.” Bell tossed the final crumbs of his breakfast to the seagull, who’d become rather aggressive. “That’s actually really smart. Pass off the paintings as nothing special. They would be hidden in plain sight.”
Xandrian gave an aggrieved sigh as he pushed his chair back and then stood. “Oh, good. We now have two paintings that may or may not exist. And if they do exist, they could be anywhere. On any wall or vault in any continent. How, exactly, does that help us?”
“Because, now that I know my mother left me a way to become immortal, I’m going to find it.” She unfolded from her chair, arms crossed over her chest. “As is, I may be able to get a mortal king like Eros to ally with us. Maybe. But you know your kind and their prejudices against mine. As long as I remain mortal, they will never follow me.”
He ran a hand through his long blond hair, fisting the ends as his brow furrowed. Finally he conceded to her point with a grim nod. “If the paintings are out there, I may be able to use my connections to narrow down who might possess such art, knowingly or accidentally.”
Haven almost rounded the table and hugged him.
“But . . . we must keep this between us. If whoever owns these possessions learned of what they have—well such a thing would be priceless to the mortal lords of this realm. And dangerous, if they fell into the wrong hands.”
Bell’s face twisted into a grimace as he realized what a corrupt king like Renk could do with immortality. Even Eros, if he knew about such paintings, would probably covet them for his own kingdom.
She could see now why the Order of Soltari may have chosen to destroy the objects. In the wrong hands, the paintings could do irreparable damage.
21
After a hot bath, an attendant from the palace arrived offering another tour of the city, this time by Neri herself. The queen wore wide-leg cream breeches and an almond tunic, the loose, flowing fabric showing off her graceful movements as she strolled down the hilly streets. Her excitement to show off their city was infectious. Unlike yesterday’s visit, which focused on popular landmarks and other formal—but incredibly boring—locations, the places Neri took them weren’t on any of Haven’s maps.
An underground market that trafficked in magickal artifacts and spells. A shop run by twin Asgardian females that featured ancient axes and spears. A tattoo parlor that specialized in forbidden runes.
They stopped at a café deep in the heart of the city, and just as Neri claimed, the crab cakes and chowder were the best Haven had ever tasted.
Every shop and market they visited made one thing clear. The people here adored their queen, and she adored them. It was an easy thing, to love Neri. With her infectious smile, kind eyes, and stubborn loyalty.
She reminded Haven so much of someone . . .
The last stop was a rum distillery nestled at the top of a cliff, run by priestesses from a nearby temple. The women proudly handed out samplings of their golden rum as one of them gave the history of their product.
Haven left the others and joined Neri outside, on a rocky overlook with a stunning view of the harbor. “Is it true?” Haven called. “King Eros drinks their rum every night before bed?”
Neri winked. “Only if the priestesses ask.”
Haven tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It was kind of you to take us around. I’m sure you have a thousand other things you could be doing.”
“My pleasure.” Neri shrugged, and again . . . something about her gesture, her eyes, felt familiar.
“Eros said it was your idea to invite us here, so thank you.”
Neri waved her hand as if it was nothing. “Sometimes men just need to be told it’s okay to do something. Besides, I don’t think Eros has had such a good time in years.”
Haven raised her eyebrows. She was pretty sure their conversation last night, while interesting, hadn’t made him lighthearted.
If anything, he was more