NATHAN

Hune returned after leaving the carriage and horses at the livery. He stamped his feet outside the side before coming inside. "The snow’s getting thick," he said.

"Did you get Peril?"

"He found me, Your Grace. I have a message from Mr. Dunn." He handed me the tiny piece of paper that he’d taken from the small tube attached to Peril’s leg.

I read the note. "It seems the Willowmarches are making preparations to leave the Capital."

"And go where?" asked Hune. "Amaranth Manor is no more."

"They have other properties, I’m sure. But Dunnie says ship tickets have been purchased."

"You think they’re leaving the Northern Realm?"

"If they’re taking a ship, then it’s likely to go to the Southern Realm."

"Why do they want to flee?" asked Hune.

"My guess is that the chickens are coming home to roost and they want to be as far away as possible." I looked out the window at the swirling snow that had already left a thick layer on the ground. "Likely they sent someone to burn down both houses."

"It may not be a coincidence that Miss Sophia’s grandfather was transferred to the Capital before Chapter House burned."

"You are no doubt right, Hune. Perhaps the Pagemoores and the Willowmarches conspired to get rid of potential evidence."

"It seems extreme to set fire to their ancestral homes," said Hune.

"So is murdering an entire family to steal a magical artifact." I turned toward Hune. "Send a message to Dunnie. Ask if there’s any movement with the Pagemoores. I can’t imagine that they would run, too. The father and brothers are Court advisors. Ditching Imperial duties to the Emperor would be a death sentence."

"I’ll go now, Your Grace." Hune hadn’t even taken off his coat, so he headed right back out into the bad weather. Peril had a nest near the livery, so Hune would probably be gone for a little while.

I decided to check on Sophia. She was still sleeping. She too pale and too thin. I sat on the bed next to her and brushed her hair away from her face. She gave a sweet little sigh and turned onto her side.

I wanted nothing more than to crawl next to her. Wrap my arms around her waist. Bury my face into her soft hair. Fall asleep with the woman I loved.

"Tea’s ready," called out Tilda.

I joined her and Scanderoon in the kitchen. They sat at the small table with steaming cups of black tea. Tilda poured one for me too and slid the sugar and cream toward me. "How’s Sophia?"

"Still sleeping."

"Did I heard Hune a moment ago?" asked Scanderoon.

"Got a note from the Capital. The Willowmarches are making preparations to leave. They’ve purchased ship tickets."

"Guilty consciences?" Scanderoon sipped his tea. "Doubtful. However, if they burned down Chapter House and Amaranth Manor to hide the truth about the Rosebright disappearances, would they still need run away?"

"Wouldn’t you?" asked Tilda. "If sins you committed fifteen years ago were suddenly coming to light, you’d probably bail, too. They have a lot to answer for. And with Jace dead, they don’t have much reason to stay."

"In fact, the scandalous death of their son is probably even more incentive to leave the Northern Realm," said Scanderoon. "You know, this tea is delightful."

"As delightful as me?" asked Tilda.

"Nothing is more delightful than you."

I leaned back in his chair. My gaze bounced between the two of them. "What’s going on with you two?"

"We’re friends," said Tilda.

"Just friends?"

"What are you, my mother?" Tilda put another spoonful of sugar into her two.

I lifted my hands in surrender. "I have no thoughts on the matter at all."

"So, we need to go to the Capital before the Willowmarches leave," said Scanderoon.

"Six hours by carriage will be torture," said Tilda. She looked at me. "Will your carriage fit all of us? You, Sophia, me, Scanderoon, and Hune?"

"We’ll fit, but there won’t be any elbow room."

"I have a better way," said Scanderoon. "My method will get us to the Capital post haste."

"What method?" I asked.

"Beam me up, Scottie," said Tilda, grinning.

Scanderoon and I looked at her. "Beam you up where? Who is Scottie?"

Tilda rolled her eyes. "Nevermind. Well, Roonie? What’s the method?"

Scanderoon opened his jacket and dug around in an inner pocket. Then he pulled out a vial and set it on the table. Glowing glittery dust filled the tube with a cork cap. "What is it?" I asked.

"Pixie dust."

"Oh, so more Peter Pan and less Star Trek," murmured Tilda.

"What does it do?" I picked up the vial and examined it. The gold dust was sparkly, but also had a slight yellowish glow to it.

"It makes you fly."

"I have an airship for that," I said. I paused. "Oh, I forgot. It was destroyed."

"You’re a Duke, don’t you have more than one?" asked Tilda.

"Unfortunately, no. But I’ve commissioned another one to be built, but it’ll be at least three months before it’s ready."

"Pixie dust will get us there even faster than if we traveled by airship." Scanderoon took the vial and put it back into his jacket. "We can make it to the Capital before the Willowmarches try to leave."

"How can we make them stay?" asked Tilda.

"We could kidnap them." Scanderoon grinned. "I happen to excel at this particular task."

"Do I want to know how you practiced such a devious art?" I rubbed my temples. "You can be quite worrisome, Scanderoon."

"Yes, but I’m also fun."

"Fine," I agreed. "Tomorrow, we’ll travel back to the Capital with your pixie dust." I stood up, stretching and yawning. "But now, we need to rest."

"Good night," said Tilda.

Scanderoon gave a little wave.

I headed into the bedroom where Sophia still slept. She was curled up like a tiny kitten under the covers. Goddess, I loved this woman.

I took off my boots and jacket. Then I climbed into bed and pulled Sophia into my arms. She turned and snuggled against me. Her face against my chest. Her hands resting between us.

I held her close, kissed her forehead, and fell asleep.