“Indeed,” he snapped. “Drunk and my healer has drugged me at my own party. My suffering never ends.”

The grandfather clock tick, tick, ticked in time with the sway of its pendulum until at last, it tolled. In minutes, the drug would drag him under.

It could not come fast enough.

“It’s chloral hydrate, if you must know. If you try to make a scene, my magic can render you unconscious far faster.”

“Me? Make a scene?” Lowry laughed ruefully, his eyelids drooping. Against his damp black curls, his skin was ashen. “I wouldn’t dream of it. In fact, I’m glad we have this moment alone. Tell me, how did it feel to be among the aristocracy? You looked quite at home tonight.”

Wren was in no mood to indulge him or endure his mockery. “I hated it.”

“It shouldn’t be that way. You were made to be among them.” There was a quiet, desperate edge to his voice. “You should’ve grown up in the palace, but the queen tossed you out as if you were no better than a stray dog.”

“I’m no noble. I belong in the Guard.”

“Do you, though? You’ve dedicated your life to serving her, and you still haven’t earned her recognition, her acceptance. Doesn’t that embitter you?”

Wren turned away from his imploring gaze. Of course it did. But she’d never give him the satisfaction of admitting it.

“I can see it in your eyes,” he said. “I was once so much like you.”

“You and I—”

“Are nothing alike,” he finished with a wave of his hand. “Protest all you like, but we are. Both cast aside. Both hungry for peace. Both longing to be taken seriously, to make real change in the world. I, however, have learned to act.”

“You’re reaching,” she snapped. “Your games won’t work.”

“You’re so ungenerous with me.” Lowry laid his head against the armrest. “Everything I’ve done has been for your own good. Can’t you see that I’m on your side?”

“It’s only been for your own good. You only care about yourself.”

“There you go again. So dismissive.” He curled his lip. “Think! You’re too clever a girl to be fooled by Hal Cavendish’s pretty face.”

She knew, yet hearing him say Hal’s name with such raw hatred …

“What?” she whispered.

“Aren’t you tired of this charade? Yes, I know very well who he is.” His eyes locked on hers, burning with cold fire. “He killed countless of your countrymen. His people took our parents, left us alone in this world. But I can make them pay. We can. If you’d let me help you, we’ll both get what we’re owed. If you trust me, I can give you everything you want.”