Aidan was leaningagainst a sleek black carriage in the stable yard, looking every inch the noble. A team of two dappled greys was already hitched, and he smiled as Kara approached. “You made it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said between gritted teeth.
He held open the carriage door for her and took her hand, helping her inside. Kara slid into the plush seat. The interior of the carriage was warm, and black velvet curtains framed the windows.
Aidan climbed inside and took the seat opposite Kara. The carriage was large by most standards, but his tall frame filled the space. Knees clad in buckskin breeches brushed against Kara’s as he settled in his seat.
Kara was used to traveling on horseback in the open air. The carriage felt like a cage, a barrier between the wealthy and the world they lived in. “Where are we headed?”
“First stop, the water clock. You likely saw it on your way into town, but it’s a marvel up close. It’s what Lerathil’s known for, besides the palace of seven spires.” He rapped on the carriage roof, and they rolled into motion, heading for the gate.
Kara peered out the window as two guards opened the tall palace gates, revealing a bustling city just down the hill. One tower near the center loomed higher than all the other buildings. The carriage jolted forward as the driver cracked the reins, and their knees knocked together.
“You seem distracted today. Did something happen?”
Kara turned to Aidan. “I’m sorry. I received some disappointing news last night, and I’ve yet to compose myself.”
“Ah. So that’s why you were stabbing sandbags in the training yard for hours. Dare I ask who you were imagining?”
Kara raised an eyebrow and sat up straighter. “Are you having me watched, Lord Kendrick?”
Aidan smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m simply doing my job.”
“And since when did it entail keeping such close tabs on me?”
“My offices overlook the training yard. Useful for keeping an eye on lazy recruits. Though while we’re on the topic, I heard you went to visit Salizar. Did he do something to upset you? I’ve never liked the man.”
“Well. Your future wife won’t keep any secrets from you, will she?”
“Are you petitioning for the job?”
Kara forced a smile. She wished she had a fan to help hide her expressions and combat the blasted heat of this carriage. “I wouldn’t need to petition.”
Aidan blushed and glanced at his knees, still touching hers. “My apologies, Celine. I shouldn’t be treating you like you’re under investigation. I’ve had eyes on Salizar’s chambers recently.”
“Is there cause for concern? I sought him out for a simple herbal remedy for a headache.”
“Nothing concrete. Just general unease, really. It’s likely nothing.” Aidan shifted in his seat and pointed out the window. “You can see the water clock from here.”
A wooden tower rose amid the buildings packed into the heart of the city. It was a cross between a water mill and a clock tower. Troughs scooped water from a pool at the tower’s base, carrying it up to a wide clock face. As the troughs tilted over, water funneled out of the clock’s mouth, resulting in a continuous waterfall. Intricate metal gears and cogs, exposed by breaks in the woodwork, turned within, powering the mechanism.
The carriage pulled to a stop behind the crowd gathered in front of the tower, and Kara and Aidan exited.
“Would you like to go to the top?”
Kara looked over the mass of people gathered in front of the pool, splashing their fingers in the water and tossing wish-laden coins in. “That’s allowed?”
“There’s stairway access for when repairs are needed. It’s not accessible to the public, but they’ll let me through.”
“One of the benefits of being captain?”
“Indeed.” Aidan grabbed her hand and led her around the back of the tower. After a brief exchange with two guards stationed in front of the door, they were let in. The din of the crowd faded as they climbed the rickety wooden staircase. The rush of water and steady creak of cogs made Kara feel like she was climbing through the belly of a great machine beast.
The stairs peaked at the top of the tower, behind the clock’s face. The sun lit the clock with a pale glow, and the troughs emptied load after load of water into a metal chute that tilted forward once it was full, creating the waterfall.
“This is amazing.”
“I find it peaceful, despite all the noise.”
