“Yes, theoretically, I suppose those would be the actions of a desperate man.” Lowry absently twirled the wet blade through his fingers. “But, alas, no. That’s not my plan, as riveting as it would’ve been. The scandal of the century: Alistair Lowry nearly assassinated at his own party by the royal bastard and the Reaper of Vesria.”

“You have to go,” Hal said, more urgently this time. “He’s only trying to distract you.”

“You wound me, Cavendish.” Lowry lifted his hands in supplication. “Well, perhaps I am stalling until my guests clear out. It’s so much easier to conduct business when there aren’t ears everywhere. But I come to you in earnest with a gesture of goodwill, my final offer. Although you’ve attempted to thwart me at every turn, I am nothing if not generous.”

Wren could only stare at him, reeling. “You’re in no position to be negotiating anything. As soon as the evidence—”

“Whatever you think you discovered, my dear, it means nothing.”

Wren searched his eyes for the lie. “You’re … you’re bluffing.”

“Oh, to believe that justice has any place in this world.” Lowry sighed wistfully. “Your naïveté almost touches me. It’ll be a shame to see your Paper Queen crush it once and for all.”

Wren froze. What did he mean by that?

“You’ve both played the game admirably, but I’m afraid it was always a losing one. Aren’t you tired, Cavendish? You look tired.”

Hal said nothing, only glared at him with open hatred.

“You know as well as I do that you won’t get far in this weather,” he said, undeterred. “If you don’t kill me—which would leave your ladylove here in an awkward position—I will tell the Guard you’re here. But if you help me, we can come to another arrangement. Your eyes for your life. What do you say?”

“Whatever vengeance you think you’re enacting will sorely disappoint you,” Hal said lowly. “As soon as I am powerless, my people will care nothing for me.”

Lowry sputtered out a laugh—a delighted, fraying sound. “Do you truly believe this is about something as petty as revenge?”

Hal faltered.

“No, this is bigger than me and my father. This is about Cernos. Since recorded history, we’ve lived in fear of the likes of you. Never taken seriously, even though we are superior in every way. We have electricity, while you still fumble in the dark. Soon we will have carriages with no need for horses. Fully automatic firearms. Meanwhile, you still cling to the superstition of your gods. You rely on magic as power.