Page 86 of The Dragon and the Dove

Her face turned stark. She looked away, but not before Sera caught her shiver of disgust.

‘Oh,’ she said. ‘He unnerves you too.’

Nadia sniffed. ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘You’re right,’ Sera said, her voice crisp. ‘I clearly don’t know you. I thought you were loyal. I thought you cared about Ransom.’

‘Lisette’s the one who stabbed him.’ Her hands bunched at her sides. ‘He wouldn’t stay down. He just wouldn’t stop.’

‘What did you expect? That he would let Lark toss me out into the storm? Feed me like bait to the Strix?’ Sera’s heart hammered at the memory. ‘He would crawl through hell itself to get to me. I would do the same for him.’

‘You might have to,’ Nadia said, quietly. ‘You’re a long way from home.’

‘Is he still alive?’ Hope took wing, making her rise from the bed.

There was none of it on Nadia’s face. ‘I don’t know.’

She left then.

Sera’s thoughts turned to Prince Darius waiting in his bedchamber for a kiss of fate.

She prayed it would be swift and cruel.

Chapter 20 Theo

Theo was expecting Val when the knock sounded at the door to the cloakroom, and was relieved when Tobias bounded in instead. The feeling was short-lived. His cousin, who, thanks to Fabian, had heard about his fight with Ransom approximately four minutes after it had happened, had come running to the basement at once.

While Theo busied himself at his workbench, he followed him around like a gnat, begging for the gory details. Who swung first? What started the argument? Was it about Sera? Did his hounds try and bite you? Did you feel the cold brush of death on your shoulder? Should I go up there and defend our family’s honour?

When Val finally did show up, Theo was almost grateful for the reprieve. Until he saw the apprehensive look on her face. She stood on the threshold, with her arms pulled tight around her. A defensive stance. He could tell by the frizz of her hair and the puffiness under her eyes that she had just woken up. Or, more likely, been shaken awake by Anouk.

Hale was making good on his threat.

Oriel has anointed us a Saint of Truth to weed out lying traitors like you.

He muttered a curse.

‘I heard that,’ she said, pointedly. ‘I think it’s time you and I have a talk.’

Theo turned on his cousin, inventing an errand. ‘Go and find Mercure. Ask her for the latest update on the Strix.’

Tobias’s eyes narrowed. ‘If you want to get rid of me, just say so.’

‘We want to get rid of you,’ said Val, stepping into the room. She shooed him out, then closed the door behind him.

‘I’m guessing Hale sent you down here,’ said Theo.

You should have stopped him, the old voice said leeringly.

Snuffed him out like a flame.

Taken your due.

‘Theo?’ Val’s voice tugged him back to himself. Her brows knitted as she studied him. ‘Is it true you met Andreas at the Appoline?’

He sensed her magic like a spiderweb between them. One wrong step and he would be caught in its snare.

Saints were supposed to be immune to each other’s powers.