29
THE KYMRI THEATRE
“I did it. We did it. Somehow, these three came into my life, and now I have a life of performance and magic again. It still doesn’t seem possible. I still don’t feel as if I deserve it, for all my repentance. But tonight, after much wine and dancing, all feels well.”
Jasper Maske’s personal diary.
Maske threw open the doors to the Kymri Theatre. Many of the people he held séances for, the Lord and Lady Elmbark among them, came to celebrate. Some of the friends he still played cards with every now and again – for buttons instead of coins – arrived, bringing spirits and hearty smiles. Oli was up in Cyan’s room, as the lump on his head had grown to the size of a clementine.
I told Maske what had happened in the carriage ride back to the theatre. The Eclipse was tucked into the pocket of my coat.
Maske sighed. “Can’t say I’m surprised he tried something like that. Are you sure the boys had nothing to do with it? If they have, I’ll rescind my moment of sentimentality.”
“They’re innocent,” Cyan said, with a certainty only she could possess.
He nodded. “Seems I owe you even more of a debt, now.”
I waved the gesture away. “It was selfish. We like living here.”
He smiled.
In the Kymri Theatre, Maske was the cat with the cream. He could not stop smiling magnanimously at everyone. We held the party in the main theatre. The brass automaton stood on the stage, an angel watching over us. I had changed out of my stagehand gear into my stiff suit. I kept tugging at my cravat.
Cyan came over to me.
“We did it,” she said.
“So we did. We made a good team there, with Taliesin.”
“Aye, that we did.” She tilted her chin toward the other end of the room, amused. “Look at Maske.”
He was dancing with Lily Verre, the white of his smile visible from here. He looked twenty years younger. It all felt worth it.
“We saved him.”
She nodded, and then she hesitated. “Anisa showed me what she showed you. Those visions with Ahti and Dev.”
“Ah.”
“Guess it’s time to try and save more people, soon enough.”
“That’s us, heroes of the world in the making.” I tried to keep my voice light, but it fell flat. “Drystan knows. He wants to help.”
Cyan looked over at him. Drystan was chatting comfortably with Lord Elmbark, no doubt amused that the man didn’t recognize the boy who once played with his son at his own apartments. “That’s good. You care for him a lot, don’t you?”
I paused. Life seemed better, brighter, with Drystan around. One touch and my fears quieted. One off-hand comment and he’d have me in stitches of laughter. Even when I’d first seen him in the circus when his gaze met mine, I had felt a spark. Now, I felt a flame. “Pretty sure I’ve fallen in love with him.”
“Have you told him that?”
“No. Not yet.”
“You should. He loves you too.”
I blinked. “Have you…?” I tapped my temple.
She smiled. “No. I don’t need to.”
A rush of warmth flowed through me. I wouldn’t believe her until I’d heard the words from his lips, but the possibility was sweet as sugar all the same.
Across the room, Drystan threw back his head to laugh at something Lord Elmbark said. I felt happy, and safer than in a long time. Much was to come, but tonight, at least, was celebration.
“Have you told Maske yet?”
She shook her head. “The right time hasn’t appeared. He was always in his workshop, or with Lily, or…”
“Or excuses.”
A corner of her mouth quirked. “Aye, excuses. What if he doesn’t want me as a daughter?”
“Cyan, he’s already shown how much he cares for you. He never considered anyone else for an assistant. He’ll be delighted. You should speak to him.”
She chewed her lip and nodded, leaving me. She tapped Maske on the shoulder, and he nodded at her question and they made their way to the parlor. I smiled.
Doctor Pozzi came up to me, holding two glasses of wine. He passed me one with his clockwork hand. I nodded at him and smiled, taking a small sip.
“Did you enjoy the performance, Doctor Pozzi?”
“Very much so. It was a piece of art. I thought you would be on the stage, though.”
“No, I’m afraid not. I decided it’s safer for me to be behind the scenes instead of in the limelight.” I swirled my wine around in my glass. I didn’t like the taste much.
“Perhaps it is, at that. Are you feeling quite well?” he asked, his brows furrowed in worry.
“I’m in perfect health, as ever, Doctor.”
“That’s good to hear, Micah.” He looked around the theatre. “This is an extraordinary building. Some parts of it mirror the Kymri temples I’ve been to.”
“I’d like to see those one day.”
“You should. Everyone should travel the world if they can. Open their eyes to different cultures and ways of life. I feel like a changed man after my time abroad.”
“Maybe someday,” I said, “we’ll do a touring show.”
He nodded. “So you plan to stay in show business?”
“I never plan anything for forever. Too much has shifted beneath my feet in the past for that. But for now, this is where I belong.”
Doctor Pozzi nodded. “I am glad for you.”
“And will you be staying in Imachara long?” I asked, wondering how long I’d have to worry about him looking over my shoulder.
“It depends on a myriad of factors. There’s been an interesting birth in Kymri I’d like to investigate – the child can cause his bottle to float to him when he’s hungry, which has scared his parents half to death – but I do believe my brief travels are over. I am the Royal Physician, and the young Royal is my charge.”
Something in the phrasing reminded me of how Anisa spoke of her charges. Someone who knew Pozzi hailed him from across the room, and he made his excuses to me and ambled over. I watched him go, wishing I could have the measure of the man.
When Cyan and Maske returned, they both beamed brighter than glass globes, Maske with his arm tight around her.
Have things gone well? I ventured, looking over to Pozzi. He did not seem to notice how we spoke, or if he did, he gave no sign.
He had no idea, but he doesn’t deny he was with my mother around that time. It’s still a little bizarre and awkward, but he’s happy. And I’m happy.
She laughed in my mind.
I smiled.