‘Grim can’t deal with this on his own.’ Grim wouldn’t be there until he and I got back from Prince Oran’s secret mission. But I couldn’t tell Cara that. ‘Besides, he’s working for your father. That will place him in quite a difficult situation when the truth comes out. He’s broken your father’s rules by telling me about this, and I’ve disregarded warnings from both Master Tóla and your friend Gormán.’

‘Gormán? You spoke to Gormán? What did he say?’

I regretted mentioning the forester. Cara was fond of him. Trusted him. That had been evident for a while. The affection was mutual; he had spoken of her as if she were his own daughter or granddaughter. And he knew about this. He must know. ‘Not much, Cara. He told me not to talk to the folk at Longwater about what happened in the past. And I went straight ahead and did just that.’

She was silent a moment, clutching her cup with white-knuckled hands. Then she said, ‘How can I wait? How can I do nothing for days and days?’

I’ve waited years, I wanted to say. Endless, soul-destroying years. ‘The time will pass quickly enough,’ I said. ‘Keep busy, occupy yourself. And use your common sense. Doing this on your own would be foolish, even if you could get out of here without someone stopping you. Have you forgotten what happened last time? Whatever lies in wait down that hole is still there. And elsewhere at Wolf Glen, no doubt. The fey might welcome another chance to turn you off your path.’

She turned tear-damp eyes on me in reproach. ‘I can’t believe you just said that. I can’t believe you tried to frighten me out of going.’

Wretched girl! Every part of me was on edge. The desire to throw something, hard, was rising fast. Grim, come home. I need you. ‘If you’re not frightened,’ I said, ‘you have an inflated idea of your own abilities. Please do as I ask. Don’t go to Wolf Glen until I can come with you. And don’t ask questions about why I can’t rush off and do your bidding at a snap of the fingers. That matter is confidential. You’re not to mention it to anyone, understand?’

In response she got up, dabbing her eyes, and headed for the door.

‘Where are you going?’ My voice was sharp, angry. I drew a breath and tried again. ‘Cara. I’m doing my best to help.’

‘I wanted you to come. I was relying on you. There’s nobody else I can ask.’ She had her back to me. The tone was that of a child betrayed.