I should deny this, but it is better she knows the source than dig up unwanted information. Besides, we have a pact now and this will just have to be my leap of faith.
“I’m passing it along.”
Kassandra reaches for the novel. “Still, someone may pick up on the discrepancy—that she is getting extra coin while extra coin isn’t being taken from my account. The Illusion advisor, Lord Tomas, is keen. He’s one to notice, even if Dominik doesn’t.”
“With this secret, things will change.”
We cannot beg a kingdom of killers to kill us softly. We have to act as they do: nefariously.
“Whose is it?”
I bite my lip. “The eagle wears the crown but listens to the older pig.”
She laughs. “Hector.”
“The pig rolls in the mud with another from a different pen.”
“Disgusting but not surprising. So, the old bastard is sleeping with a wife—just not his own?”
“She’s from the farm that…does tricks.”
“She’s House of Illusion.”
My eyes cut to the building diagonal from us. “The pig has green skin and dark hair. Her pen is with the blue pig.”
My mistress jerks back. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
She retreats between the billowing curtains. I follow as Kassandra waves a hand and various candles throughout her chamber—on her vanity, on her bedside table, by her looking glass—come to life.
“Hector is sleeping with Clara Roche,” she declares. “He’s sleeping with the Illusion advisor’s wife! Do you know what this means?”
“We have leverage.” I shut the balcony doors while Kassandra fumbles through the drawers of her bedside table.
“Where’s parchment?” she asks.
“Bottom shelf.”
Her silver braid falls over her shoulder as she bends down to scratch a quill against the paper. “This means that I need to invite Clara to tea.”
“You never invite anyone to tea.”
She scowls. “I do.”
“When?”
“Avery, I simply cannot keep track of every obligation and event I have! There are so many.”
I roll my eyes. “So tea?”
“Yes, tea. Clara helps her husband keep the books. Our books—which means I can grant Briar her raise, set aside a safety net for myself, and start giving out more tips. If Clara doesn’t want to give me what I want, that’s fine, too. I’ll just send this note about the affair to her husband. We’re in the game now, Avery.”
It should feel bad, manipulating another female like this, butthe repercussions mean so much more. Kassandra straightens. “I’ll let Briar know when she can deposit the extra coin.”
“Thank you.” I nod, falling into silence.
We stare at each other in the candlelight, and my mistress opens her mouth, then closes it. As we come down off this high, knowing our plan is working, we are left with the distance between us once more.
