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“Both safe,” Severin reassured. “Della arrived with your ribbon and has been guarding him ever since. He finally fell asleep over his star charts less than an hour ago. He must be going through a growth spurt.”

Knowing Adrien and Della were both safe loosened the knot of fear in my chest, but hearing it wasn’t enough. I needed to see them.

“I suppose you’re going to tell me everything went to plan?” Severin asked, surveying Yves’s partially glamoured face.

Yves eyed him as he exited the carriage. “Hartley got away. But he says Monsieur Demarque was spotted at the old coach house four days ago.”

I grabbed my spare clothing and climbed down before Yves could offer his hand. My feet ached from the cemetery, the gardens, and running through enchanted hedges, but I refused to limp in front of either man.

“At first light,” Yves continued, “you will search the coach house. Take Mr. Duval with you.”

Severin paused. “Mr. Duval?”

“He has a sea captain’s eyes, and he knows what men moving unregistered cargo try to hide. I want his assessment.”

“Your Grace,” Severin interjected, “I can handle the search.”

“Take him with you anyway.”

Severin tried to reclaim some of his dignity. “I am supposed to meet with Rochefort and Lady Christine in the morning about ball security.”

“I’ll meet with them. In fact, I’ll take all of your meetings tomorrow,” Yves declared. “This takes precedence.”

Severin’s lips parted. Yves lifted his chin, and whatever his nephew had intended to say disappeared behind a shallow bow.

“Of course, Your Grace. I shall have my notes brought to your study.”

I’d told him his grief was killing his people, and instead of resenting me, he had risen to the challenge again and again, clawing his way off that balcony and back into his own life. Now he was taking back his court right in front of me.

Command looked good on him.

The relics stirred inside my satchel. I tightened my hand around the strap, but Severin’s gaze had already dropped toward it.

“Allow me,” he said, extending a hand toward the bag.

I held it tight against my side. “Not on your life, my lord.”

His gaze lingered on the satchel before returning to my face. He sneered at me, and I sneered right back. I wondered what his vampiric senses made of the power inside it, and whether the answer explained his sudden enthusiasm for carrying my belongings.

“Is there anything else, Your Grace?” Severin asked.

“Send a detachment of our house guard to Les Jardins tonight,” Yves replied. “The service buildings are to be sealed. No one enters them or removes anything without my permission.”

Severin’s brow furrowed. I watched his reaction carefully. “Has something happened that I should know about?”

“Just see that it’s done.” Yves took my hand in his. “We’re going to check on Adrien.”

As quietly as we could, we opened Adrien’s door. Luckily, Della was standing guard just inside. I pinched her beak shut to keep her from squawking while Yves went to check on Adrien.

Della nuzzled against my neck while I padded over to where Adrien was sleeping on his stomach with one arm hanging over the edge of the mattress. The curtains around his bed were open, allowing him a clear view of the telescope on the balcony. Moon charts covered the blanket, and three books lay open near his feet. Della fluttered onto the nightstand, picked up a folded piece of paper, and handed it to Yves.

I read it over his shoulder.

I expect a complete account at breakfast.

Adrien

Below his name, he had drawn a raven with fangs.