“Because,” Thisbe said, scrambling to read the dragon-woman’s intentions so she would know how to answer. “Because as much as I despised you for what you did to me, I begrudgingly respected your game. So I went looking to find out more about you while I was away. And that… respect… helped change my mind.” Thisbe held her breath and looked at the table. Had she said too much? And even more of a chilling question: Was it true?

But the Revinir had gone somewhere far away in her mind and didn’t respond. After a long while, Thisbe nearly nodded off at the table. She pushed her chair back and got up from the table. “I’m going to turn in,” she said quietly. “Good night.” She glanced at Rohan, sitting quietly, staring at nothing. Thinking no thoughts. A shell of a person.

“Wait a moment,” said the Revinir, rousing from her reverie. She put a hand on Rohan’s shoulder, then looked at Thisbe, calculating her next move. “My kitchen staff has been asking for Zel to return. So…” She narrowed her eyes. “I’d like you to have Rohan as your servant. Send Zel back to the kitchen.” A flicker crossed the evil dragon-woman’s face, as if she regretted offering. But Thisbe knew that this was also a test. If asked, Rohan would tell the Revinir everything Thisbe did, just like Zel would. And maybe the Revinir thought Thisbe would try to communicate more with Rohan because he’d been her friend.

Could this get any more painful? The last thing Thisbe wanted was to have Rohan as a servant. It was hard enough having him show up here and seeing him in this state. Thisbe’s worst nightmare had come true. But, thanks to Fifer’s insistence, Rohan knew nothing about the true plan and hadn’t foiled it for them. Thisbe had to hand it to Fifer for being firm about that. It could have been disastrous if Thisbe had told Rohan the truth.

But Thisbe was breaking through the Revinir’s walls, and she needed to keep tying their emotional strings together so she could get what she wanted. So she could keep Artimé safe. And so she could get the Revinir alone in a place where she could destroy her.

“All right,” Thisbe said coolly, giving the Revinir the side eye to convey that she was totally aware of the dragon-woman’s antics. “Thank you.” She turned to Rohan. “Come on.”

A Strange Turn

Thisbe walked stiffly down the hallway to her room with Rohan following along behind. She hated this. Hated everything about it. She was steaming mad about the Revinir spiking Rohan’s tea with the dragon-bone broth. That was one of the most underhanded, despicable things she’d ever done.