I took another sip of whisky, then handed him back the flask. After taking a drink himself, he replaced the cap and tucked it away. “Did Eithne tell you where to find this codex?”

“She said in the west.”

“Helpful.” He paused. “Although I guess Aunt Riayn is technically in the west.”

“It’s probably a very long bow we’re drawing, but if the book is with her, it would be so much easier.”

“If she does have it, she’ll demand high compensation for it.”

“Then maybe we need to talk to Vincentia instead.”

I hadn’t seen my cousin for over twelve months now, and rather rarely before that, but we did at least get along.

“She might well confirm whether or not they have the book, but if you think she’s any less mercenary than her mother, then she’s pulled the wool over your eyes.”

A wry smile tugged at my lips. “I’m well aware of her mercenary tendencies, but she is in the family business even if she only accepts private commissions, so it does go with the territory.”

The family business, of course, being relic hunting rather than tavern running. It was usually the males of our line who turned to that side of things, but over the centuries there’d been a few women who’d bucked that trend.

“And let’s be honest here,” I added, amusement bubbling through me. “You’ve never really forgiven her for beating you to Vesta’s patera.”

He sniffed. “She sold it to a private investor. That’s what I couldn’t forgive.”

I laughed and pushed slowly to my feet. “We’d better get out of here. You need to get that arm healed, and I’ve a new antiquarian to pick up from the airport.”

His gaze skimmed me and came up concerned. “I’ll ring Rogan and ask him to get someone else onto it. You need to rest—you’ve also a hot date to prepare for, remember?”

“Darby will do a full medical check. If she says I need to rest, you can call Rogan.” I offered him a hand and helped him upright. “You’re the one who said I couldn’t risk missing meeting possibly the most eligible pixie bachelor to appear in Deva for decades.”

He smiled. “I’m sure I can arrange a fortuitous meeting further down the track.”

“Yes, but as you also noted, better to get a jump on the competition while I can.”

“Who knew my own wise words would come back to bite me in the butt?” he grumbled.

I laughed. “And you’d better get that butt moving, because if Darby has to hang around in the parking area for too long, she will come looking for us. And you know how much she hates hiking.”

“For an elf, she’s not very woodsy.”

“She’s a city girl and a healer to boot, but you’ve plenty of time to convert her.”

He snorted and didn’t bite. We made our way slowly through the brambles and eventually picked up pace as we neared the main track.