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August 27 - October 5, 2021
Mephistopheles promised the moon. He swore if I allowed them free passage that cruise liners with nightly entertainments would become the height of fashion. That our names would be written amongst the stars. He is nothing but a liar.”
Everywhere I went, death trailed behind.
Danger does not detract from appeal; it increases it.”
“If a fairy tale is what you’re after, I’ll put a curse on you and lock you in a coffin or tower of your choosing. Then I’ll kiss you awake and we’ll live happily ever after. That’s how those things work, you know.” I shook my head. “You’re really charming, aren’t you?” “That would be Prince Charming to you, Miss Wadsworth.”
“Oh, and you ought to tell Mr. Cresswell to remember his hat. I see it’s sitting out on that vanity of yours. Wouldn’t want anyone to have the wrong impression, now, would you? Thank goodness your cousin is pretending to sleep, else people might really start talking.”
“I will never be your keeper, Audrey Rose.” Any traces of humor vanished. Thomas lifted my hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to it, causing my heart to race for a new reason.
“Oh, wonderful,” Thomas said. “Satan has decided to claw his way out of Hell and join us. I had no idea he did subpar tricks, though.” The ringmaster turned his attention on my companion as if noticing him for the first time. “Satan. The Devil. Prince of the Underworld. Let’s not forget that Lucifer was a fallen angel—I imagine he was quite handsome. If the role fits…” Mephistopheles shrugged.
He leaned in and kissed my cheek, unconcerned with our scowling audience. “You are always free to do as you please. Even if you choose to follow a strange man in a gaudy suit into the bowels of a steam cruiser while someone in his show is murdering women.” Delight flashed in his eyes when the ringmaster exhaled loudly. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
“If my suit is so gaudy then why are you staring at it like it’s your one true love?” “Thomas,” I warned. “Do not comment on his jacket. He missed his evening nap and is cranky.” “Yes, well, there was only one spot available in the nursery and I thought Mr. Cresswell should take it.” I hid my smile as Thomas stared down the ringmaster like he was a reanimated corpse.
“You anger rather quickly,” he said. “I enjoy chaos, remember? I like studying reactions. You weren’t so quick to be rid of me last night.” A flush crept along my skin.
Mephistopheles marched up to the lion’s cage, a muscle in his jaw twitching in annoyance. “Apologies for interrupting your romantic evening, Miss Wadsworth. But I thought you might want to see what I discovered before I alert the overbearing captain.”
“My carnival is in peril and there’s a severed arm in front of you, yet you’d like to discuss my sleeping arrangements?” “When they might be the cause of said issues? Yes.”
“Cassie and I, handsome though we might be together, were never lovers. She wanted to, but I declined. Mixing business with pleasure is never a good idea. Though I cannot tell if you’re simply curious for your own reasons. Perhaps you’re jealous.” “Are you entirely mad? You wish I were jealous.” He seemed to think on it. “Yes, actually, I do. Regardless of that, if I wanted to involve your uncle or that arrogant assistant of his immediately, I would have done so. What I want is for you to investigate first. Then I will fetch those two.
“What are you doing?” I asked. Mephistopheles swiped a leash from the inside of the cage and held it up as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Removing the lion from the cage like you asked. Have you been drinking the Green Fairy again this evening? I thought that was our special thing.”
“Sometimes, for the greater good,” he said over his shoulder, “it’s necessary to get your hands dirty. Do you trust me, Miss Wadsworth?”
“Be careful. Please.” I’d whispered barely loud enough for me to hear, so I was surprised when the ringmaster stumbled over a clump of hay and glanced at me.
I darted around the cage, fastened the lock, and dragged the ringmaster to safety. He cringed at my rough handling, but didn’t cry out. I had no idea if that was a good sign or not. Perhaps he’d been injured so badly he was going into shock. Corpses were one thing; nursing a living body back to health was not my area of expertise.
He toppled forward, nearly burying his head in my chest. “Please.” The word was a plea in itself. Arms gently came around my waist. “Please accept my apology.” “You have nothing to apologize for.” I embraced him back a moment, worried over how hard he’d hit his head. “Come. Let’s stand up, shall we?” After a wobbly attempt, I finally managed to get him on his feet. I held on to him, afraid he’d stumble back down and do more damage to his brain. I was about to offer him his jacket when he staggered into me, pressing us both into the wall as he stopped himself from falling. At this rate, it
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I never been so angery in my entire life, I swear if he was just pretending this whole time to be hurt I am going to throw a table and omfg THOMAS its not what you thiiink!! She not cheating on you my boi i swear its a misunderstanding PLEEEASE *sobbing*
“Mephistopheles wasn’t bleeding, so the smearing on the padlock and the keys did not come from him.” Thomas paused a moment and walked around the cage, but I swore I heard an accusation in the silence.
“I must admit that I’m struggling here, Audrey Rose.” I swallowed my immediate response, knowing instantly by his use of my Christian name that we weren’t speaking of the captain. A breeze whipped sea mist into my face—stinging my eyes almost as much as the sadness in Thomas’s tone. “I swear things will be back to normal soon. I need you to trust me, Thomas.”
“Would you care to know something interesting about my deductions?” Thomas finally asked, turning to me. “Your gaze drops ever so slightly, then rises when you lie. It’s your signal—I’ve seen you do it to Moldoveanu and to your father.” He searched my face, his own shuttering so I could no longer read the hurt in his expression. “We promised we’d never lie to each other.”
I'm just gonna burst into a ball of tears, right here and right now
“Ah, the dark prince flees on the midnight breeze.” Mephistopheles held a glass of champagne high before sipping it. “He’s right, you know. You do glance down when you lie.”
I hate this man so much, he needs to go, he is ruining my ship, Mephistopheles can go to hellllll, I don't care how fine he is!!
“Perhaps I simply wanted to see if you cared for me or if everything is an act. You’re becoming quite the accomplished show-woman, even if you do look down when you lie.”
This man is truely the devil...
If anything happens to my cousin, it will be his fault. Then he’ll discover that kings fall like anyone else.”
Once I’ve committed myself, I do not enjoy sharing.”
“I don’t smell anything unusual.” “Oh. Never mind.” Thomas leaned back. “It’s simply your attitude, Miss Wadsworth. It stinks.” Mephistopheles actually bent over, wheezing with laughter, and I flashed him a glare that promised sudden death should he utter one more sound.
“The incredibly handsome and talented Thomas James Dorin Cresswell, you mean.”
“I’ll play the part of the victim,” I said. “You’re a much-better murderer.” “True.” He opened the door and stepped outside. “I haven’t been caught yet.”
WHAT
Thomas’s destiny was no longer written in the stars or by any god the heavens might possess; it was my judgment to make. I was neither merciful nor kind. I was justice and my blade was cold and swift.
Thomas had once told me he wasn’t afraid of being proven wrong; he only feared not trying.
He leaned against the door, arms crossed. “My issue is with you parading about this ship, pretending as if you’re interested in me in front of my performers, when in reality you’re just a beautifully dressed spy for your uncle.”
“Do not insult my intelligence,” he said. “Yes, I may have wanted them to see us together, to work a bit harder to teach you tricks for the finale, but nowhere in our agreement did I mention flirting or staring at me when you think I’m not looking. Or, would you have me believe between our midnight rendezvous and your predawn dissection, you’ve found yourself thinking of the softness of my hair, the sharp angle of my jaw, the—”
“So those looks are real?” He examined me closely, attention falling to my lips and remaining there. Half a breath later, he turned the lights off, then slowly moved toward me.
“Are you certain that’s what you’d like me to believe, Miss Wadsworth? That you’re here, in this cabin alone with me, because you choose to be… of your own free will… with no motive? You simply wish to spend the morning with me?”
I saw the hunger in his gaze then, the longing he couldn’t cover with any mask. I knew he wanted to kiss me, though I wasn’t conceited enough to believe he wouldn’t gaze at most any young woman the same way.
His fingers reached out once more, his touch barely anything at all, while he waited for permission.
Something in my expression must have shifted, unleashing him. He slipped his hands into my hair, gently pulling me closer. I did not resist.
“I’ve thought about doing this all week,” he whispered against my lips. “A-are you certain—”
He slipped out from the room before Mephistopheles could regain his composure. I collected my breath, grateful for the interruption, though I hadn’t been surprised. Liza had mentioned that Houdini met with the ringmaster around this time, something I’d been counting on. My plan had been hastily constructed on the walk here, but with any luck, I’d played my part convincingly. Gossip was a currency most couldn’t help spending.
Oh my god she is such a bad bitch i LOVE Audrey!!! She played him yessss!!
“Swords, secrets, and stolen kisses.” His eyes flashed with delight. “You speak the language of my complicated heart, Wadsworth. I am a very lucky man.”
Corpses did not trouble me; the men who made them did.
Thomas clicked it open. He caught my stare and grinned. “Mephistopheles and Houdini aren’t the only ones in possession of tricks. You ought to see what I can do with my—” “Miss Wadsworth,” Mephistopheles said from the end of the aisle, startling me away from Thomas. “I see you missed me so much you’ve brought a stand-in.”
I think im going to scream
“Is that how you knew what time the performers were practicing?” Thomas asked, his tone neutral. “You were with him this morning?”
OH FUCK
“One should always honor a lady’s choice.” Mephistopheles grinned. “You may run along now, Mr. Cresswell. I’ll escort our lady back to her cabin soon enough.”
WTF DOES HE MEAN BY "OUR LADY"!!????
“One should always honor a lady’s choice.” Mephistopheles grinned. “You may run along now, Mr. Cresswell. I’ll escort our lady back to her cabin soon enough.”
Oh my fucking god
“Such a pity,” Mephistopheles said. “You’re going to break his heart.
I hate this man so much, *crying* THOMAS COME BACK WE LOVE YOUUUU
“I’m honest.” He smiled. “You’re simply annoyed that you do enjoy my company. I make you think, broaden your scientific theories and ideas. I get under your skin and you loathe it.”
Lord have mercy this man gon give me a heart attack
“Should we grab some tea and discuss more of my appealing qualities? Or should we skip straight to the kissing? I must admit, I’ve been dreaming of our almost-kiss nonstop.
Next time I see Houdini, I’m going to drown him.
LMAO RUN HARRY RUNNN XD
“Depends on whether or not this belongs to you.” Thomas appeared from around the corner, holding a signet ring in his palm.
Sis is finna lose her whole husband I just know it jesus take the wheel
