Violie
“.”
nearly falls out of her saddle at the murmur of Daphne’s voice. Her head whips around, eyes searching the woods around her, but there is no one there apart from Gideon, Reid, and Rufus all astride their own horses. Rufus looks at her with raised eyebrows.
In the day since they left the summer castle, there hasn’t been much time for talking. They stayed overnight at an inn, but by the time they arrived, all four of them were so exhausted they barely managed a few words to the innkeeper to arrange their rooms, let alone to one another. Still, Rufus has been nothing but kind to her, and Gideon and Reid like him much better than they like her—not a difficult feat considering how quick Rufus is to smile and joke with them, while is too distracted thinking about Leopold and the mess she left him in.
Now, she shakes her head, offering him an embarrassed smile. “Sorry, I think I nearly fell asleep in the saddle.”
“.”
This time it’s unmistakable—Daphne’s voice, in her head. She frowns.
“Daphne?” she thinks. She didn’t get much sleep at the inn before it was time to be on their way again—perhaps she’s hallucinating.
“Yes, it’s me. Stardust can allow people who are star-touched to communicate, but we don’t have long.”
“Leopold—” says in her mind, her heartbeat pickingup.
“He’s fine,” Daphne says, impatience clear in her voice.
She launches into a story about the northern lights, about speaking to Sophronia and finally letting herself believe the truth about her mother and the circumstances of her sister’sdeath.
“Leopold told me everything,” she finishes. “And I listened.”
It feels like a trap, but can’t see the shape of it yet.
“Sophie said to tell you that your debt was forgiven, that you’ve paid it back.”
pulls her horse to a stop, ignoring the confused looks from Rufus, Gideon, and Reid.
“I’ve no idea what she meant by that, but there it is. Whatever you’re doing because you think you owe her something, she’s given you permission to stop.”
For a moment, doesn’t know what to say. “Is this some sort of ploy?” she asks. “Do you think I’ll simply abandon Gideon and Reid to you because you mention her name?”
“No,” Daphne says, though she doesn’t sound offended by the idea. “But you and I are more alike than we want to admit, and I think there’s something you’d rather be doing than nannying.”
glances at Gideon and Reid, who are watching heruncertainly.
“I’m not telling you to do anything,” Daphne continues when doesn’t say anything. “But Rufus is a good person, Gideon and Reid will be safe with him, if you decide you have other matters to attend to back in Eldevale.”
That is when knows exactly what Daphne is talking around—the only thing of interest to in Eldevale is Eugenia. If Leopold told Daphne about the circumstances of Sophronia’s death, she knows the part Eugenia played init.
“I’m not your assassin,” says. “If you want Eugenia dead, do it yourself.”
“Oh, I will,” Daphne says. “But I wanted to offer her to you first. Consider it a gesture of peace, from me to you.”
feels her jaw tighten. Killing Eugenia herself shouldn’t be such an appealing thought, but it is. And besides, she already has Daphne’s collection of weapons and poisons at her disposal. Still…
“If you really intend it as a gesture of peace, don’t treat me like a fool. There’s a reason you don’t want to do it, and I doubt it’s because you’re squeamish.”
For a moment, Daphne doesn’t speak. “I believe you about my mother,” she says. “But it is in all of our best interests if my mother doesn’t know that. If she thinks I’ve had anything to do with killing Eugenia, she might begin to suspect my loyalties have shifted.”
But if does it, while Daphne is away from the castle, she will be blameless. knows it’s a compelling argument, but it’s no reason to rush.
“I’ll return to Eldevale after seeing the princes to their destination,” she says.
“We’re heading back to Eldevale tomorrow morning,” Daphne says. “I may not know where your destination is, but I doubt it’s close enough that we won’t return before you.”
She’s right—the Silvan Isles will take her an extra two days from Eldevale—more, depending on the ship’s schedules and how long it takes to locate Lord Savelle.
curses, only realizing she’s done so out loud when Rufus raises his eyebrows again.
“Fine,” says. “You should know I’ve taken the poisons from your cases—any one in particular you’d recommend?”
Daphne is quiet for a moment, but when she speaks again, can hear the irritation in her voice. “The translucent powder in the case with the rubies. She’ll only need to inhale it, but you’d be wise not to.”
“I know what septin mist is,” tells her, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.
“Then you know how to use it,” Daphne replies.
The connection snaps, like a scissors taken to a taut piece of string. blinks, looking between Rufus, Gideon, and Reid, all of whom are watching her like she’s gone mad. is half certain she has.
“There’s been a change of plans,” she tells them.