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    The Toymaker's Hoard: Trice City Lovers, #2
    The Toymaker's Hoard: Trice City Lovers, #2
    The Toymaker's Hoard: Trice City Lovers, #2
    Ebook144 pages2 hours

    The Toymaker's Hoard: Trice City Lovers, #2

    By Megan Derr

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Cadmus is content to spend his days quietly tending his shop and creating custom toys, music boxes, and automatons for his clients. It's a peaceful life, minus the occasional hostile visit from a rival who wants to know the secret behind his creations, which require no winding to work.

    Then an intriguing new client, Lady Serena, blows into his shop requesting he make a gift for the man she loves but is forbidden to be with. She is followed shortly by her father, the notorious Chief of Police Harren Imperia, who ends up taking Cadmus out for coffee—and introduces him to Lord Paali, whose son is the object of Serena's affection. 

    As he is dragged further into their dizzying world, he finds himself facing problems he never expected: being caught between the wishes of the parents and the wants of the children, and drawn helplessly to the fierce Harren and intriguing Lord Paali…

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMegan Derr
    Release dateSep 10, 2019
    ISBN9781393061960
    The Toymaker's Hoard: Trice City Lovers, #2
    Author

    Megan Derr

    Megan is a long-time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.meganderr.compatreon.com/meganderrmeganderr.blogspot.comfacebook.com/meganaprilderrmeganaderr@gmail.com@meganaderr

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      Book preview

      The Toymaker's Hoard - Megan Derr

      THE

      Toymaker's

      HOaRd

      TRICE CITY LOVERS 2

      MEGAN DERR

      Cadmus is content to spend his days quietly tending his shop and creating custom toys, music boxes, and automatons for his clients. It's a peaceful life, minus the occasional hostile visit from a rival who wants to know the secret behind his creations, which require no winding to work.

      Then an intriguing new client, Lady Serena, blows into his shop requesting he make a gift for the man she loves but is forbidden to be with. She is followed shortly by her father, the notorious Chief of Police Harren Imperia, who ends up taking Cadmus out for coffee—and introduces him to Lord Paali, whose son is the object of Serena's affection.

      As he is dragged further into their dizzying world, he finds himself facing problems he never expected: being caught between the wishes of the parents and the wants of the children, and drawn helplessly to the fierce Harren and intriguing Lord Paali…

      The Toymaker's Hoard

      Trice City Lovers 2

      By Megan Derr

      Published by Megan Derr

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission of the publisher, except for the purpose of reviews.

      Edited by Samantha M. Derr

      Cover designed by Natasha Snow

      This book is a work of fiction and all names, characters, places, and incidents are fictional or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events is coincidental.

      First Edition September 2019

      Copyright © 2019 by Megan Derr

      Printed in the United States of America

      Chapter One

      Cadmus was putting the finishing touches on a music box when the silence in the shop was broken by the silvery tinkling of the bell above the shop door. That was odd. He had no appointments today. Maybe someone was lost or hadn't noticed the 'by appointment only' sign on the door. Would hardly be the first time. Setting down his tools and jeweler's loupe, he retrieved his gloves and a rag as he stepped through the curtained-off doorway that divided the front of the shop from the backrooms.

      A young woman stood staring in rapt fascination at his display pieces, so enthralled with them Cadmus flushed with pleasure. Nothing was more gratifying than seeing his work so openly admired. Most of the time his clients were more reserved, trained to be so practically every moment of their lives.

      She appeared to be alone, which was odd, because by her costly clothes she was nobility, and young, wealthy women seldom went anywhere without an escort. On this side of town, which was almost entirely paranormal, many of the more prejudiced humans came with bodyguards.

      She was dressed in an elegant green walking dress, the bustle decorated with enough ribbons and lace to resemble a frothy silk waterfall. Her beautiful curls were barely restrained by a matching ribbon, and a handsome black and green hat was perched on her head, a matching parasol clutched in one hand.

      Cadmus finished wiping his hands, then pulled on his gloves and fussed briefly with his jacket. Then he cleared his throat quietly to get her attention, and when she turned said, May I help you, my lady?

      The woman smiled brightly, her eyes as green as her dress, skin dark brown and flawless, set off handsomely by gold and emerald jewelry. Good afternoon, sir. I am sorry to intrude, but I did come intending to commission a piece and can certainly make an appointment for another day. I was simply so excited once I thought of the idea that I could not bear waiting to act upon it.

      Cadmus chuckled and motioned her to the table on the far side of the room, then went to make a quick pot of tea. He set it on the table with a plate of biscuits from the fancy bakery at the end of the lane. You chose a good day to come, my lady. I have no appointments today, so have plenty of time to speak with you. What is it you are seeking that had you so eager to see me immediately, Miss…?

      Imperia. Serena Imperia. She made a face when Cadmus froze. Yes, that Imperia, I'm afraid.

      No, please, there's no afraid involved. I was simply surprised. Chief Imperia is a wonderful man; he's better to my side of the city than his peers.

      Papa has many friends amongst the paranormal set. He doesn't hold with the… she pursed her lips, narrow-minded beliefs and behaviors of humans. Yes, I think that's the polite way to say it.

      Cadmus laughed. I sense the daughter is much like the father. He didn't add that he found Imperia, one of the most notorious figures in the city, compelling, fierce, and devastatingly beautiful. He was also a marvelous dancer.

      Serena smiled. "You are Master Cadmus Tulari, the toymaker whose creations never need winding but don't rely on magic and will work forever?"

      Cadmus smiled, flushing again at the praise. Yes, that is me. Toys, music boxes, and many other clockwork devices—even boring old clocks on occasion. And I wouldn't say forever, but they are guaranteed to work for a very long time. Some have survived two, even three generations so far.

      That is simply marvelous! But I won't ask how you do it, I know that's a secret.

      I appreciate it. So what manner of novelty do you seek, Lady Imperia?

      She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, eyes dipping to the table. A gift, actually, for a young man I favor. She looked up, regarding him warily. The young man in question has been engaged to another since he was a little boy. You can see where my… rule-abiding father would not approve.

      The less you tell me, the better, though I do appreciate the complicated nature of your dilemma, Cadmus replied. My job is not to judge, admonish or advise. It is only to make the commissioned novelty and deliver it to the recipient. That being said, you are hardly the first to commission a piece meant to be gifted to a forbidden sweetheart.

      Her shoulders eased and her smile returned. Oh, good. I was worried I might seem strange or forward.

      Cadmus laughed. Oh, my lady, you are a long way from forward. I've made novelties that are meant for private viewing only.

      Her eyes widened, then she dissolved into giggles. I see! That must be so interesting to do! Oh, to know who has naughty automaton in their homes!

      He smiled. What sort of novelty would your sweetheart like? Music box? Automaton? A clock?

      An automaton, she replied, clapping her hands and tangling her fingers together. I saw one in Lady Betherford's parlor that had a little boy and girl picking apples, and it was absolutely charming. I was wondering if it might be possible to contrive something like that, only of a boy reading in a little library or pulling a book off a shelf or something like that.

      Sparks tingled along Cadmus's neck and down his spine as the image bloomed in his mind. He could feel the pieces he needed, the final creation they would make, the warmth and beauty of it. I can do that. It will take me a couple of weeks and will be expensive. He quickly sketched a rough approximation of the design and listed a figure, then slid the sheet of paper across the table to her.

      She teared up and pulled out a handkerchief to dab at her eyes. Master Cadmus, if it only half-resembles what you've sketched, it will be above and beyond perfect. Is it true you can build clever little secret drawers and such into them?

      Cadmus smiled faintly, not remotely surprised she knew of that little detail, despite the fact those who had them were hardly in a hurry to share the knowledge. Yes.

      Could you do that for me? I would like to leave a note in it for the recipient. Nothing nefarious or anything, if you are worried about being caught up in something untoward.

      I do not ask such questions unless the client gives me cause. You've not given me that cause. I will begin work, and when it's partially done I'll send word so you can approve the rough. We'll fine tune any details you'd like altered, adjust the price if necessary, and then I'll complete the work. The down payment is one quarter of the price.

      She clapped her hands and dug happily into her reticule, and dropped several heavy, gleaming coins onto the sketch before sliding it back across the table. One quarter, sir.

      Cadmus smiled. I'll send a note when I have the rough composite ready for you.

      Thank you so, so much, she said, and pushed to her feet, darted around the table, and instead of shaking his hand she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Kissing his cheek, she then stepped away and said, I truly appreciate this, Master Tulari. Thank you so very, very much.

      My pleasure, my lady. He slowly ushered her to the door, mentally marking all the things she rambled about to decide on including or not in the final product.

      Once she was gone, he returned to his backroom. He settled on his stool and picked up right where he'd left off, polishing the little silver mice with sapphire eyes that would run around a gold cat with emerald eyes. The cat's twitching tail had taken him the longest, though timing everything so the mice would run under the tail as it twitched up had been the hardest.

      But now it was complete, and he was simply on cleaning and fussing. Soon this beloved treasure would be ready for its new home. Countess Mela was a sweet woman whose kids were grown and married off, leaving her with an empty house, plenty of spare time, and money aplenty to indulge her new-found freedom. This was actually the second automaton he'd done for her—the first was an erotic one she'd gifted to her paramour.

      The doorbell came again, and Cadmus sighed. Standing, he went to see who the latest uninvited guest was—and perhaps, when they were gone, he would turn the sign to closed for the rest of the day. At the rate this day was going, it was the only way he'd get work done.

      He growled as the stench of a familiar cologne, too sweet and too sour all at once, reached his nose right as he pushed through the curtain. "I told you to get out and stay out."

      Smiling, the man at the door prowled further into the room. Now, Cadmus, I've been a reasonable man so far—

      "You're not a man, you're a scheming snake," Cadmus snapped.

      The too-pleasant expression on the man's face vanished. We're not snakes, and you're one to talk, you overgrown, scaly bird.

      Cadmus pointed to the door. Get out of my shop.

      "I've offered you more money, more jewels, more treasure than you could acquire in another two hundred years—"

      And I have told you countless times that the secret to my automatons is none of your business. I don't need a slimy wyrm offering me cold treasure you probably stole from someone else. Cadmus stepped around the counter and barreled toward the man, shoving hard when he was close enough, over and over again until the man slammed into the door.

      Reaching up, Cadmus wrapped a hand around his throat and hissed, Stay out of my shop, Vidner. I'm growing weary of warning you away. He threw the door open and shoved Vidner out, then slammed it shut, turned the lock, and flipped the sign to closed.

      Hands shaking

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