<- Chapter 100 Chapter 102 -> Lissie closed her door wishing it had a lock on it.  She couldn’t stand another hug, to hear another voice telling her that everything would be fine.  Cora hadn’t even hesitated, she just handed Lissie the tincture and walked with her to Niko’s new ‘bedroom’ to see it administered.…

<- Chapter 99 Chapter 101 -> Working the Problem Cases was a group effort.  They worked as a team with two mercenaries, Adrien and Mathis today.  The mercenaries still called him ‘Colosse’, but they said it with affection now.   Lissie enjoyed the immediacy, the pressure of coordination.  It drowned out her mind. “First is…

<- Chapter 98 Chapter 100 -> Lady Maribelle hugged her wool coat tighter around her chest.  At the beginning of spring, she matched the color to her favorite roses.  The autumn fog dulled it to mauve. Twigs stood waist-high and as thick as her thumb.  The tips shorn to points, gardeners had painted the ends…

<- Chapter 97 Chapter 99 -> Lissie had not dreamed for a month.  The days bled together with the work and she had never felt happier, despite everything. She opened her eyes before Niko knocked.  Nelli never let her sleep in. She sat up in the bed, pulling the rough-spun dress over her head.  “Come…

<- Chapter 96 Chapter 98 -> The streets of Terndowns were empty.  The sounds of industry rang all around them as they walked, and the smell of vinegar was all-encompassing, but they passed no one on their way to the castle.  Lissie stared at the polished white stones as she walked. All of the workshops…

<- Chapter 95 Chapter 97 -> It was three days following the Bandinette south.  The horses were more agreeable with food to eat and water to drink.  Niko seemed to take joy in trailing his hand in the water.  On the first day, the water would freeze into a hard glove around it, but by…

<- Chapter 94 Chapter 96 -> They reached the Plains as the sun set.  The ride had been full of more joy than Lissie had felt since she left the Plains.  The sky was clear and bright.  Coming down from the foothills they could see forever. There was an orange glow in the distance.  They…

<- Chapter 93 Chapter 95 -> The Duke had loaded them down with food for the road.  He even insisted they take a pony to carry the extra.  Lissie listened to him telling the story again and again the night before to his guests.  None of them seemed to care much.  Cora was paraded around…

<- Chapter 92 Chapter 94 -> Lissie needed air.  Cora tried to stop her, but she walked barefoot through the tower to the stable. Niko was sitting cross-legged, eyes closed. Lissie asked, “Can I sleep here?” He opened his eyes and frowned.  “You will be cold.” “I haven’t felt cold since we left the cave.” …

<- Chapter 91 Chapter 93 -> Lissie scampered out of the dining hall, but there was no getting away from Riley.  She opened the bedroom door to see  Cora sitting on one of the narrow beds, a handful of mushrooms in front of her.  They still glowed, even against the dim light.  The room had…