For once, Esaias’s lifestyle would be useful. “Esaias, will you grab Gris for me? I had her looking into Freville’s death, and I want to know why she hasn’t come to me with anything.”
Esaias and Adelaide both eyed each other, passing hesitant glances.
“What is it?”
“Gris isn’t here,” Adelaide began.
“Where is she?”
“No idea,” Esaias added. “She’s been having Sephardi cover her sentry duties the last few weeks.”
“When was the last time you saw her?” Theo attempted to stand from the bed.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Adelaide grasped his waist, guiding him back to the bed.
“I’ve rested enough. I’m tired of being cooped up here. Besides, evidently, I need to find Gris.”
“No, Theo, it’s not that she isn’t working. She’s gone. As far as we know, she’s left Luana Bay,” Adelaide said.
That would explain why she hadn’t checked in, but he wished she would’ve told him before traveling to Duncaster.
Adelaide leaned into him, forcing him back on the bed. She braced her hands against his shoulders, her face pinching tightly as she scowled at him.
“Wait, if Amaris isn’t with Gris, where is she?”
“Sephardi is watching her.” Esaias jumped from the worktable. “She’s held up with Pricilla in that small alcove of hers, and we figured she’s the safest person to have watching over her, since Bennet feels she’s neutral in all of this. We don’t want to risk him sending one of his inner circle.”
“I hope she is.” Theo recoiled, forcing himself onto the bed. He wanted to see if he could tolerate the walk down the steps, to see Amaris with his own eyes.
“Don’t worry. Sephardi’s our friend foremost, but she also tried holding Amaris back before she jumped in front of the whip,” Esaias said.
A ringing formed in Theo’s ears. “She did what?”
“You don’t know?” Esaias questioned. “She jumped in front of you and took a lash around her forearm. She tried to get them to stop, but Gerard held her back before your father stepped in.”
Theo owed Amaris for too many life debts. She’d now saved him twice by putting herself at risk.
“I’ll let Amaris in on the plan,” Adelaide said, disappearing down the steps.
“I’d be happy to assist.” Esaias smirked and steepled his fingers.
Before Theo could protest, Esaias followed her. He sighed and reclined. In a week, the Conjugation would be upon them, and they’d smuggle her out. But he couldn’t stop the growing ache in the pit of his stomach at the thought of sending her away.
Theo was only pulled from his troubles when a pile of books caught his eye. There wasn’t much for him to do with his bed rest. Reading was a nice comfort, but he’d devoured countless novels secluded in the tower. Thestack beside his bed, however, was new. Amaris brought him a variety every week, but her stack hadn’t even been touched yet on Theo’s other side.
He bent over and picked up the first tome. It was an old Gorrin sailing book he’d read many years ago. Amaris had only selected Akaric, and many of them were romance novels. He initially believed her to think she was torturing him with steamy books, but he’d begun to realize she might have caught on to his guilty pleasure.
A note slipped from the first page written in Pricilla’s curly hand.
Amaris told me about your curiosity with the phraseaslorn per de eclahardin The Merry Sheridan. I recalled your questioning of its meaning and took it upon myself to research the phrase. Here are a few tomes I think will please you.
Theo flipped through the pages, stopping where Pricilla had inserted a bookmark. His finger scanned the page until the phrase came into view. Theo spent the next few hours reading through Pricilla’s notes and thumbing through the books she’d left him. All of them had the same conclusion and led back to theSerpent.
Not a single mention excluded the pirate ship. Theo pondered the idea, but the ship had sunk nearly fifty years ago. Pirates hadn’t been a problem since. They’d caused significant damage to the port cities and set to raiding merchant ships. What if they were the ones stirring the mayhem in Duncaster?
Theo brushed aside the thought. It was impossible. They’d taken refuge deep in the Black Sea. With their dwindling numbers, pirates wouldn’t stand a chance against Godwin’s armada.
He set aside the books and rubbed at his eyes. He hadn’t received a letter from the governor in weeks regarding any more disappearances. He’d hoped their extra soldiers had been enough to cease whatever plagued the city. Theo shuddered. He couldn’t allow himself to think on Duncaster’s issues.
