Page 33 of A Fable of Riddles and Redemption

Guests? Zorina blinked in surprise. She was no guest, and she assumed that as a guard, Herrick lived in the castle barracks. If asked, she already knew what her response would be: she had no desire to stay in the castle.

The duke nodded. “Indeed. Show Carlotta Piangi to a room for the night. Poor woman seems to be in shock. Perhaps she’ll be herself again after a good night’s rest.”

As Madame Giry helped Carlotta to her feet and guided her out of the room, Zorina hoped Duke Armand was right, though she feared otherwise. Something had happened to the singer—likely something involving black magic.

But what was it?

And how could they stop it from happening again?

Chapter eleven

Interrogation

Herrick

Herrick had noticed the tense stiffness in Zorina’s posture while the duke and his captain had all but interrogated the previously missing singer.

Not that their questioning did any good. The woman was far too addled to respond to anything, let alone the specific details they’d asked her about.

It was a blessed relief when Madame Giry led Carlotta away.

Herrick started to stand, only for Duke Armand’s words to stop him.

“Tell us what you know,” the duke commanded, his eyes darting between Herrick and Zorina.

Before Herrick could so much as clear his throat, Zorina quietly explained how she had found Carlotta in the woods and guided her back to Adael. Her words now were consistent with what she had told him when he’d encountered the two women in town, though she elaborated a bit more—likely because they were no longer standing on the city streets with the disoriented diva.

All the same, she seemed uncomfortable with Duke Armand and Captain Firmin dangling on her every word.

From his experience, most people he’d known throughout his life enjoyed receiving attention—particularly that of powerful men like the duke and the captain. Why, then, did Zorina not?

Granted, he didn’t want that much focus on himself, either—but that was primarily due to his sordid past, which he would prefer to avoid. Herrick peered over at the woman sitting somewhat beside him. Once again, he wondered if her reasons were similar, but this time, it came more from concern over her than the fear that she was secretly a villain.

It was a strange sensation, and he wasn’t quite sure how he felt about it.

What kind of life had she known if hiding from everyone was her preference?

Thankfully, he didn’t have to dwell on such thoughts for long; the moment Zorina finished her tale, Captain Firmin turned to him and asked to hear his side of the story.

With a nod, Herrick explained how Zorina had called to him in the city streets, a befuddled Carlotta at her side. He told them how she had not even known who the woman beside her was until he’d disclosed her identity. The duke and the captain met each other’s gazes at that before they turned their attention back on him.

Trying not to let that phase him, Herrick continued his report. “And then we arrived here to speak with you,” he concluded.

Duke Armand and Captain Firmin both looked thoughtful for a long moment.

Then, Duke Armand turned his gaze to Zorina. “How do we know you are telling the truth?”

Zorina blinked several times, staring at the duke with evident disbelief. “Excuse me?”

Captain Firmin nodded slowly. “I’ve been wondering the same. How can we be sure you didn’t drug her and drag her out into the forest for some nefarious purpose?”

Herrick scoffed. “Why in the Realms would she do that? She didn’t even know who Carlotta was when she found me.”

“I do not profess to understand the criminal mind,” Duke Armand said, stroking his chin. “She may have been trying to get your attention, for all we know.”

Zorina scowled at his words. “Absolutely not. I have no wish for his attention, nor anyone else’s. I did not come here to be insulted or interrogated, but to help a confused woman find safety. Last I heard, that was considered the decent thing to do. I gave you my testimony out of courtesy, and courtesy is the last thing you gave me, Your Grace. If that is all, I am going home.”

At that, she stood and made her way toward the door.