“I don’t think River did it any more than you do.” Her dark lashes blink at me, and she toys with a quill on her desk.
“Then why is he in Ashgate?”
She taps the pads of her fingers together. “The safety of our guests is my top priority. If River didn’t do this, who did?”
I swallow hard, not at all sure how much I should share with Godmother about what Chance told me. I choose my words carefully. “I have reason to believe that Chance Delaney wasn’t working alone and that this murder is part of a master plan that is still being carried out in his absence.”
Godmother’s brow rises. “And what would give you that idea?”
“I spoke to him in Ashgate, and he admitted it. He is working with others, perhaps fairy or maybe a human.”Maybe both. At least that’s my interpretation of the riddle Chance told me.
The redheaded fairy runs back in and whispers something in Godmother’s ear, and her mouth spreads into a wide smile. “It seems Patrick has corroborated your story, although, as you warned, he was not able to identify you. But when presented with your version of events, he was able to affirm them. I have to hand it to you, Sophia. If you are lying, it’s a very good lie.” She grabs a piece of parchment from a pile on her desk, signs it, and marks it with her seal. It sparkles as she rolls it up and hands it to the pixie. “Have River Foxwood removed from Ashgate Prison and delivered to the safe house in Sagewick Forest.”
The pixie nods and rushes from the room.
“Safe house?” She’s up to something. I can see the twinkle of some devious idea in her eye.
“I’m going to do you this favor and release your lover, Sophia.” I bristle when she sayslover, then correct myself, shoring up my defenses for whatever comes next. “Mind, it may take up to forty-eight hours to complete the necessary paperwork and procedures.”
I cringe at the thought of River enduring that place for two more days, but it can’t be helped. “If that’s the fastest it can be done.”
Godmother points her chin at me. “There is a condition of his release.”
“And that is?”
“I cannot allow the general public to know River’s been freed, you understand, until this case is solved. So in return for my generosity, I expect you to find the real murderer. The sooner you do, the sooner River can return to his regular life.”
My breath halts in my throat. This is beginning to sound a hell of a lot like a bargain, and I never signed up to make another deal with Godmother. All amiability drains from my expression, and I glare across the desk.
“Is this how you did it to Seven?” I ask through my teeth. “Gods, a person might agree to a bargain with you without even trying, without even understanding the consequences.”
“Careful, Sophia.” Her eyes spark, and power gathers in the small room.
“He came to you, a child—”
“He was almost eighteen—”
“Abused by his father, poisoned with blue iron, he came to you for help—”
“And I helped him.” One eyebrow jerks upward derisively.
“Not to escape his father’s influence.”
“He didn’t ask to escape. He asked for you.”
“Then you never upheld your side of the bargain.”
She gives a wicked laugh. “Oh, I did. Your daughter is proof of that.”
“Proof of sex. Nothing more.”
“Who do you think you’re kidding?”
My lips peel back from my teeth, and I can barely contain my rage as I ask, “What exactly was his side of that bargain? How long does Seven have to serve you until he’s free of your control?”
Her nails win over her interest, and she draws the tip of one across the cuticle of another. “Until I release him.”
“That’s not fair.”
