“I dunno. Put it with your collection of sparkly things?”
“Ouch.” She pulled her finger away from the butterfly, sucking on the end. She glared at the figurine. “Listen, Tam, I need you to run an errand for me tonight.”
She cast one last irritated look at the butterfly before stalking toward the bedroom. She returned holding a straw doll, its yellow hair limp and straggly. She placed it on the checkerboard face up, although it had no face, nor any features.
Lilyanna held up two hairpins—one gold, the other diamond. She eased each one into the doll’s chest, forcing aside the fibers until only the tips of the pins remained like engorged ticks.
I grimaced at the doll, certain I would not like this favor.
“It’s the lunar festival tonight. All over the North, towns will be lighting huge bonfires and sacrificing effigies to the Goddess. As I’m not allowed out of the castle, I need you to go in my place and offer this for me. It’s a token to ensure the match between the prince and me succeeds.”
I prodded the doll with my finger. The tips of the pins scratched against the smooth checkerboard as the doll rocked.
“Listen, Tam, I need to do everything in my power to make this happen. You don’t understand the weight of expectation on my shoulders. So many people are depending on me.” Her voice hitched, and she took a deep breath. Calm washed over her face again, a perfect mask of deception.
Oh, I did understand. I had a sudden urge to tell her, to come clean and unburden myself for the very first time. It wasn’t only Siobhan depending on me, but the Collectors. If I failed, a whole line of consequences would ensue like the strings of fate not only being cut but set on fire, spreading to those nearest. But then the prince winking at me in the market pushed to the forefront of my mind, and my stomach fluttered. I didn’t even know what he’d done and for the first time, I actually cared. Especially if success meant I’d also damn Lilyanna and all her people. What a decision. Did I even have a choice?
Steeling myself, I pulled my hands into my lap and nodded. “So, I just throw it in?”
“Yes.” She clutched the edge of the table, body leaning toward mine, and her hair spilled over her shoulders. “It’s all a secret as well. Everybody covers their face and goes alone or in pairs. So no one will know you’re carrying that for me.”
Maybe the prince would be there too, hidden amongst the crowd. He could also be unguarded. Heat rose in my cheeks as I remembered my half curtsey, half bow monstrosity that I did last time I was alone with him and his attention was on me. I’d probably just simper like an idiot.
The Sheriff could also be there. It was exactly the kind of event where he would lurk, watching people throw in their secrets, ready to pounce.
“What shall I do afterward?”
“Come straight back,” she said.
I rolled my eyes. “First, I’m your sister but now when you want something I’m your slave.”
She pointed at the inert checker counters sprawled over the tabletop. “It’s not like you’re working overly hard now, is it?”
She arched a brow over twinkling eyes, and I wrinkled my nose. Maybe she'd never had a maid who talked to her before. Maybe no one talked to her. They probably all scurried around meekly doing their jobs, eyes cast down, uttering one-word assent to any questions. I kind of liked being around her too, although I would never tell her that.
“Looks like I’ll be having another sleepless night.” I stared out the thick window. The distant houses merged in a sea of dreary taupe-like melted candles. I sighed. “I wish I had my knife back.”
Lilyanna nodded. “Yes, I wouldn’t mind one myself.”
Her face paled, hands still clawed from gripping the table. Long, sinewy tendons stood erect in her forearms, disappearing under the green silk of her cropped sleeves. She forced herself to relax, prodding at the butterfly again. She would have been far happier with a weapon as a gift from the market, not piles of fancy clothes and stacked boxes of hats, but that was the impression she was giving him. He thought she’d like that butterfly.
Unless he had meant to give it to me?
The fire spasmed, skittering shadows across the bare walls toward us.
“I forgot. I’m not supposed to leave you,” I said.
She pushed herself away from the table, smoothing her new dress. “This is more important. I’ll be perfectly safe.” She folded her arms over her chest, barely concealing the rash of gooseflesh that puckered her skin.
I moved to the fire and added another log. The marble hearth sparkled, not a speck of ash marring its surface. I shivered. It was like it was waiting for me to leave.
“I’ll ask Matron to sit here for a few hours again,” I said.
She huffed in reply but uncrossed her arms, a hint of warmth trickling back into her face. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I doubted Matron would be a match for whatever lived inside these walls.
CHAPTER TEN
EFFIGIES
