“You nearly died? I heard you were hurt fighting pirates, was that—?”
“That was the first time she tried to kill me. The second time was in the palace at Vauphan, when she succeeded in killing the king and queen. Probably to further destabilize their government so we could claim more lands.”
Dove just stared at me, blinking slowly.
Midnight took that opportunity to speak to me. “I’ll be close, watching over you. Watch for the signs. I should go now. I don’t like to remain this open in one place for too long.”
I nodded and started a bit when she just vanished from next to me. For a moment, I wondered if she did what Fin could do, jumping from place to place, but no, that’s not what I’d been led to believe her spirit-gift was. She was still here, just… imperceptible. I thanked her inwardly and turned back to Dove.
“Where did she go?” Dove asked.
“She’s still here. She’s keeping an eye on me, since someone out there still wants me dead.”
“Dead?” Dove’s voice rose an octave. She was having a harder and harder time with these realizations.
I nodded. “There was a prophesy or foretelling or future-seeing or something. Someone, maybe a mistweaver, saw that I’d get in the way of all these plans and potentially stop them. So, they’re trying to kill me, whoevertheyare.”
“Oh, sister! That’s horrible. Why…” Her mouth worked for a moment with no words. Then she nodded. “Of course you couldn’t tell me any of this. You probably suspected any correspondence would be spied upon or something.” She leaned over and embraced me tightly. “Oh, Legs, I’m so sorry you had to go through all of this. It’s just horrible! I’m here for anything you might need.”
And that… was the best news I’d heard in a long time.
Chapter 10
The next daywe went for a carriage ride out of the city to a lovely stretch of paths through light forest along the edge of the Elis River. We walked for some time, leaving the carriage far behind, before we spoke freely once again.
Dove sighed heavily. “I have to admit, all this talk of conspiracies and secret cabals within the Noble Houses is terrifying! And you, you seemed to be a focus for them. They’re trying to kill you? How can you remain so… calm? I hardly slept a wink last night.”
I smiled, though it had a distinctly sad tinge to it. “I’m sorry to drag you into this, sis.”
“You’re sorry to drag me…?” She gaped at me. “I don’t know how you’ve done this on your own for as long as you have.”
“I’m not on my own,” I said, sure and confident, if not happy about this situation. “I have Auwei and my Noble House. They’ve been good at protecting me and helping me through all of this.”
“I’m glad you have them.” She seemed to deflate a little then. “I have a few friends in my House, but most of our members came from Noble parents. They’re…”
“Distant, stuck-up, annoying bastards?”
She laughed. “Not all at once no, but yeah. Some are distant, some treat me like I’m less than them because I came from ‘normal folk,’ some ignore me all together. There are forty-seven members of Pegasus House, and I can count on one hand those who’d I’d call a friend.” She shook her head. “And as for those I’d trust with my life… or your secret…” Her head just kept shaking to provide her thoughts on that matter. “It feels… cold, here in the capital,” she said, voice trailing into sadness. “The sad truth is, it wouldn’t surprise me if members of my House were a part of this plot. I don’t even know what half of the House is doing. A third of our members are generally not in the capital at any given time. And there are a few that I’ve still never met, after four years here.” She looked at me and smiled. “You should count yourself lucky your House is small and close. It must feel more… like a family.”
I grieved for the loss I heard in her voice. “I’m still your family. And you can come visit my new family any time you’d like. They’d welcome you with open arms.”
She gave a tremulous smile at that, and I realized I’d only emphasized the comfort of my House compared to hers. “I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t be. I’m glad you found a home.” She took my hand and held it tightly as we walked. She changed the topic: “Are there any boys you’re seeing?”
Well, there was Silence…
…And a new lady friend…
…And the prince of Vauphan…
“That’s… complicated.”
Her eyes went wide, latching onto this diversion. “Oh! That sounds interesting. You have to tell me everything!”
So… I did, remembering to keep my voice low — and sense with my spider-hairs for anyone else around — before I did.
Oddly I did sense one other person around, and that… comforted me. Midnight was still nearby.
