"Not yet," I said, glancing back toward the city's shoddy wooden fence.
No bird had appeared yet. I wasn't sure why I placed such certainty in its arrival.
"Good," Reese exhaled. "I want you all to ride with them, stay with the soldiers at the rear, in case you're pursued."
"What about you?"
"If the monsters emerge before we're safely away, I'll ride out to find the scádes."
"By yourself?" I balked.
Reese smiled faintly. "If Killian had known about the scádes, he would have survived. I'll be fine." The smile flipped into a frown. "Assuming Ferris' hunch is right."
Silence fell over us, and dread built in my stomach. If I didn't find a way to distract myself, I was going to throw up.
Shifting from foot to foot, I repressed the urge to listen to my inner gossipmonger.
I lost the battle.
"So." I stared into the flames to avoid Reese's eye. "Who is Bláth? We haven't had time for proper introductions."
"She's a handmaiden," Reese said. "For Lady Brighid."
Pursing my lips, I tried to remember why I recognized that name.
"Brighid is from Lavaire. You probably haven't met." Reese folded his arms. "As for Bláth, some Paragons take partners, be they for battle or paperwork. She was mine."
I lifted my head, caught a glimpse of his golden eyes, and stared back at the fire. "Was?"
"Yes." The humor left his voice. "Was." He stared into the fire with me. "After we parted ways, Bláth returned to Brighid's service. So if she's here, it means Brighid sent her."
Brighid. The name clicked. She was Lord Astartus' daughter—one of Lavaire's wealthiest nobles. We'd probably passed one another at a party sometime in our past.
How had a Solheart like Bláth come to be a Fireborn lady's handmaiden? I couldn't imagine any Solheart bearing the indignity of serving their lessers.
"Interesting." I furrowed my brow. "News of Galasvar can't possibly have reached Lavaire yet. What does Brighid want with this place?"
"Your guess is as good as mine." Reese shrugged. "Brighid has an uncanny ability to knoweverythingbefore I do. She sometimes jokes that she makes deals with fae to see the future."
"You two are friends, then?"
"Yes. But if there's anything I hate," Reese said. "It's talking about me. How are you holding up?"
"Mm." I met his gaze, and donned one of my myriad masks, as Liam had put it. The confident, sarcastic noblewoman. "Will you tell me something about you, now? If you die, you'll take all your secrets to your grave."
"I've spoken with Ferris enough to know it's better that way. Bards sing about men who are mysterious."
"Right. And women love a man of mysteries."
"I know for a fact they do." He gave me a wry grin.
"Ah." I turned away. "No wonder Cierthine chose me. It turns out I'm a man."
"Because you're loaded with secrets, or because you can't stand me?" He chuckled. "Alright, fine. I'll spare you one."
I raised an eyebrow, waiting.
"I have a cat. He stays in the Paragons’ tower."
