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“That's not an answer.”

“It's the only answer you're getting.” I forced myself to meet his eyes. Bad idea. Because he was looking at me like he could see straight through all my carefully constructed walls.

“Where were you yesterday?” he asked. “Before the tavern?”

I took a deliberate bite of toast I didn't want. “Out. I told you.”

“With pine needles in your hair and mud on your skirts.” He leaned forward slightly. “Where, specifically?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes. Because you came back looking like you'd been crawling through the woods. And then you sat across from me and defended Weavers like—” He stopped himself, jaw clenching.

“Like what?” I asked, though I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the answer.

“Like you're one of them.”

The words hung in the air between us, sharp and dangerous.

My heart stuttered. I forced myself to stay calm, to keep my expression neutral even as panic clawed at my throat.

“I'm a historian,” I said carefully. “I defend historical accuracy. Not monsters.”

“You called them 'just people.'” His eyes never left my face. “You said I might be hunting innocents.”

“I was drunk. And angry.” I set down my coffee cup before it rattled and gave me away. “Forget I said anything.”

“I will not.” His jaw clenched. “And you knew I couldn't. That's why you said it.”

Our eyes locked. The air felt too thin, too charged. I couldn't look away even though every instinct screamed at me to run.

“What are you, Lily?” he asked quietly.

The question landed like a physical blow. For a moment, I couldn't breathe, couldn't think past the terror of being seen. Really seen.

I opened my mouth—to say what, I had no idea. Deny everything? Confess? Run?

The door opened.

Adeline swept in, took one look at us, and stopped. “Am I interrupting?”

“No,” August said, not looking away from me.

“Actually, you are August,” I said turning to Adeline like a drowning woman reaching for a lifeline. “Adeline and I have plans today.”

August's attention snapped to Adeline. “What plans?”

“I'm taking her to—” Adeline started smoothly.

“Cancel them,” August said.

We both stared at him.

“Excuse me?” I said.

He stood and the movement landed like a challenge. “I'm taking you somewhere. Today.”

“I don't think⁠—”