His first instinct had been to turn up on her mansion doorstep demanding an explanation. But then he changed his mind. She’d not thank him for ignoring her. Besides, shouting at Barl never got him anything but a sore throat. Better to do as she asked and bide his time, trusting… hoping… that she knew what she was about.

Only now things were different. Dorana’s troubles were deepening, swiftly. And he couldn’t sit in Batava with no pupils to teach, not knowing how bad things were where she was, not knowing if she was in trouble. If Morgan Danfey still loved her.

If he ever loved her at all.

She’d sat in his kitchen and created a lily. Terrifying magework. Rules tossed aside. He had no doubt she was ignoring the Council’s edicts, knew in his bones she was mageworking still. Then, it was a lily.

But what is she creating now?

If she was creating anything. What if the Council had found out she was defying them? What if Danfey had indeed tired of her and handed her back?

Or what if she’s still with him, and he’s encouraging her, and something’s gone wrong?

Crushed with guilt, with fear, he slammed the cherrywood box’s lid closed on her letters.

I should’ve trusted my first instinct. I shouldn’t have left her there alone. I promised I’d take care of her.

And now that promise was as broken as Dorana itself.

His wagon trip with Barton could not come fast enough.

Venette looked up from pushing a wrapped packet of dried burgot leaves into the bag she’d already stuffed as full as she dared with catalysts. Orwin was staring again, shouting with his silence. As though he’d actually spoken, she shook her head.

“I’m sorry you don’t approve, my dear, but I have no choice.”

“There is always a choice, Venette,” he said, standing in their town house workroom’s doorway. “Morgan made his weeks ago. The wrong one. There is no need for you to compound his mistake.”

“I am not compounding anything! I am trying to make the best of a ridiculous situation.”

Orwin slapped the open door with the flat of his hand, so loudly, so not like him, that she gasped and jumped.

“Venette, you are conspiring with Morgan Danfey to subvert the law in the midst of the gravest crisis Dorana has ever seen!”

“No, Orwin! I am aiding a fellow councillor in his attempt to save Dorana in the midst of its gravest crisis! Justice knows no-one else seems to be of any use!”

Including herself, but that thought was far too painful for any close examination.

“Venette… please…” His voice gentle, his own again, Orwin stepped into the room. “Don’t do this.”