SOPHIA

Mrs. Willowmarch looked like she wanted to punch Nathan, and she actually took a step forward.

Her husband grabbed her by the arm. "Enough, Adelaide." He dragged her back into the foyer. "Forgive her, Your Grace. She’s grief-stricken. We will handle the memorial services for Jace. Sophia, you need not attend. In fact, it’s best if everyone forgot you were his wife."

Mr. Willowmarch forcibly removed his wife. She railed all the way until we heard the door shut.

"Why do I think this is not the end for Mrs. Willowmarch’s tirade?" I clutched Nathan’s arm. "She’s such a bitter woman. She can’t see her son being anything but perfect. No matter how morally corrupt his actions."

"The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree." Nathan turned and looked at Hune, who’d remained sitting in the chair calmly sipping another cup of tea. "Take my pendent to the palace and arrange an audience with the Emperor. The sooner Sophia is free of the Willowmarches, the better."

"Yes, Your Grace." Hune stood up, accepted the silver pendant from Nathan, and then took his leave.

"Amaranth Manor is such a mess," I said. "And I didn’t even tell the Willowmarches about the damage. They’ll probably think I kept it from them on purpose."

"Who cares. It doesn’t matter what you say or do, they’ll take it the wrong way. It’s just how Adelaide Willowmarch is. I’ve never met a more bitter soul."

"I am curious about the leverage my parents have over the Willowmarches. They obviously benefited from being in-laws of Jace’s family. Scholars have prestige, but no real power or wealth. They used the Willowmarches as stepping stones."

"Choices they made when they decided to use their children as binders in such a neferious deal. Do you think your parents will tell you the truth?"

"I don’t know. I don’t even know if the news about Jace has gotten to them."

"Probably. What happened at the governor’s mansion has spread all over the Capital." Nathan pulled me fully into his embrace. "As soon as the Emperor allows, I’ll go ask for a decree to annul your marriage to Jace. I will also ask him to wriite us a decree granting us a marriage. People might judge us, but having an Imperial decree will keep the gossip at a minimum. No one wants to piss off the man who can throw you in prison or cane you to death."

I wrapped my arms around Nathan’s waist and laid my head against his shoulder. He was so big and strong and warm. His embrace was home. Safety. Love.

"Pardon me," said Mrs. Gap, once again standing in the doorway to the living room. "Miss Pagemoore has received a letter from Velvetleaf." She looked at the envelope. "From a Miss Tilda Plinkett."

She crossed the room and handed the envelope to me. "It appears she paid to have it delivered today. The man who gave it to me was on a lathered-up horse."

"What could be so urgent Tilda paid someone to ride six hours to get me the news?" I opened the envelope and slid out the letter.

Dear Sophia,

I’ve kept an eye on Amaranth Manor, and it still looks like a broken casket. Everything appears to be moldy and wow, it smells awful, too ,

At first I thought that smell was left by the receding waters of the flood. Who knows how much bacteria is in that murky water? Gross.

It rained against last night. So this morning I went and took another look at the mansion. That awful smell was worse than before,

This time, I tried to find the source. I went all over the first floor looking for anything that smelled like feet dipped in sugar.

Did you know the manor had a basement? More like a dungeon. You wouldn’t believe that awful kinds of things that are down there. Why the hell would the Willowmarches have a torture chamber under their house? WTF is wrong with people?

As creepy as the dungeon is ... damn. How do I say this? Bodies. There I said it. I saw at least two corpses, but I think there are more. So, you better come home quick and figure out what to do about the dead people under Amaranth Manor.

Please reply quickly. Do you want me to involve the village chief? Or do you want me to get a shovel and help you bury them?

Let me know.

Yours Truly,

Tilda

Nathan pointed to the WTF and asked, "What does this mean?"

"Is that the important part, Nathan?" I tossed the letter onto the coffee table then plopped on the sofa. My thoughts were swirling, and I felt dizzy.

"Breathe," said Nathan sitting beside me. "What do you want to do?"

"Move to another country where no one knows so we can live out our days in peace."

"We can do that."

I didn’t understand why I was taking this news so calmly. Maybe something inside of me just broke. I was numb. I put my trembling hands in my lap and took in deep breaths. I started feeling a little less dizzy.

"Why is there a dungeon under Amaranth Manor?" I muttered. "Why are there bodies? None of this makes sense."

When I thought back to my previous life, I don’t remember any basement dungeon, either. I spent three years in that house, and I thought I knew every nook and cranny. How had I missed a dungeon? Who in the Willowmarch family was using torture devices on people---and why would they do that?

Nathan took my hands in his and squeezed. "I know everything feels overwhelming right now. It’s probably best to return to Velvetleaf. I’ll bring two investigators from my army along with a protection detail. While we’re trying to figure out what happened, Jace’s funeral will be held."

"What about the audience with the Emporer?" I asked.

"Don’t worry, butterfly. I will take care of everything." He brushed my hair behind my ears and cupped my face with both hands. "I think you should try to get some sleep. And then eat something delicious. We’ll head back to Velvetleaf tonight."