always known, in those lonely hours when she dwelled on such things, how easily Kiril had defined her. How easily he could become her world. And she also knew that his love for her was real, but nowhere as broad or as deep as hers.
“I don’t know. But I’m willing to try.”
“We both make ourselves miserable all too well. I’m not willing to help you.”
The silence stretched taut. Finally Kiril rose to collect his scattered clothes. Isyllt watched him dress, and her stomach felt too small.
A knock at the door snapped the strained stillness. Isyllt hadn’t realized she was holding her breath till it left in an aching rush. She winced as her feet touched the icy floor, huddling in her worn and faded robe as she went to the door.
Her wards recognized Savedra now, but without them Isyllt might not have known her on first glance—she’d never seen the other woman without silks or velvet or the luster of pearls.
“I’m sorry,” Savedra said. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Isyllt’s cheeks warmed. “You didn’t. Come in.”
Kiril emerged from the bedroom, his clothing rumpled but in place, and now Savedra blushed. “I should go,” he said. He nodded politely to Savedra as he passed. “Lady Severos.”
Say something, Isyllt thought as she followed him to the door. Stop him. Don’t let it happen this way— But her tongue was numb, her jaw locked. Her hand twitched as he crossed the threshold. He paused on the first step, his mouth twisting in that sad familiar smile. He caught her hand before it fell back to her side, brushed his thumb softly across her knuckles. Then he turned and faded into the shadows of the stairwell.
“I’m sorry,” Savedra said again as Isyllt closed the door. “I didn’t know—”
“It’s all right. You saved us some argument and awkward farewells. What’s wrong?” No one went visiting on the demon days if everything was well.
“Ginevra Jsutien is missing. Her aunt believes she’s been abducted.”
“Do you believe it?”
“I don’t know. Saints know Thea is a liar and a schemer, but I believe she’s upset. What if someone thought she was one of us last night?”
Isyllt frowned. “We both had our veils off after the assassin attacked the princess. When did she disappear?”
“I don’t know. I can’t remember when I last saw her.”
“Damn. Who would want her gone?”
“I would, if I were any more ruthless.” Savedra’s mouth twisted. “Though I find myself liking her. But everyone knows Thea wants Ginevra to be queen when Ashlin is gone, and I imagine there are plenty of factions who oppose that.” She rubbed at her injured arm fretfully. “You don’t think Phaedra had anything to do with it, do you?”
“I wouldn’t put much past her, though so far she’s taken victims who wouldn’t be missed.”
As soon as she said it, memories clicked like puzzle cubes: the protests in Archlight and riots in Elysia; the angry families in the Justiciary demanding answers; all the pale bodies on slabs in the Sepulcher.
“Saints and shadows.” She shook her head, impressed by the plan even as her stomach clenched. “They’re not random.” Liar, she thought, remembering Spider shrugging the deaths aside, and laughed.
Savedra’s eyebrows rose and she went on. “They’re killing refugee girls. And why not—there are enough of them in the slums, easy to snatch. But for every girl that disappears, the Rosian community gets angrier. There’s been rioting in Elysia already. It will get worse now that the army is home and the city is even more strained.”
“They’re antagonizing the Rosians on purpose?”
“They must be. They want the throne—turning the city against Mathiros can only help them. An unloved king is easier to overthrow, for reasons both practical and thaumaturgical. Then they seize the throne and the killings stop.”
Savedra rocked back. “But a coup would throw the city into more chaos. They would have to kill Nikos, too, and then the Octagon Court would snarl like dogs over the throne.” Her face paled as she spoke. “And why now? The demon days are hardly an auspicious time to do anything.”
“They are if you’re a demon. Phaedra’s power will only increase over the next few days, and the city is at its most vulnerable.”
“Shadows. Nikos is in danger.”
“Go to him. Warn him and keep him close.”
“What are you doing?”
“Going to the Garden. I need to convince Little Kiva not to riot again, and I think I know someone they might listen to.”
Carriages were scarce on the dead days, so Isyllt walked to the Garden. There