“Often.”
I looked down at the page.
“Then who counts?”
“People with standing who lose something by telling the truth anyway.”
“You.”
Cosima’s eyes met mine across the book.
“Possibly.”
“Aldric.”
“If he’swilling.”
“Juno.”
Cosima looked at the dark basin.
“Do not ask Juno to stand in that room until she chooses the room herself.”
I touched the page with two fingers.
“Why show me this now?”
Cosima’s gaze flicked to the door.
“Because in the dining hall, Caspian looked at you and forgot who was watching.”
My throat tightened.
“Is that my fault?”
Her eyes came back to mine.
“No.”
The word came out ice cold.
She went on, “But if the Council can make him into the reason you behave, they will. If they can make you into the reason he becomes his father, they will do that too. The council wants nothing more than another Magnus Ashford.”
I thought of Caspian removing Cosima’s hand from his sleeve.
Gently.
Awfully.
“You’ll always love him, won’t you?” I asked.
Cosima didn’t flinch.
“I always have.”
“Then why help me?”
Her mouth moved once, almost a smile and nothing like one.
