It took me a moment to cast my charm again, to go unnoticed as I walked through the heart of Hereswith, back through pockets of gossip and dismay and curiosity. I had just come upon the square when a strange, long scuff on the cobblestones caught my attention. It was a thin mark, as if caused by the tip of something sharp, and it led to a wagon parked not far from me.

I paused, chilled when I recalled Elle’s nightmare. The knight had let the point of his sword drag over the stones. He had walked to the wagon where Elle had been hiding. Surely, this scuff mark was just a coincidence.

I crouched down to study it closer, rushing my fingers over the mark on the cobbles. I looked at the wagon, and I began to imagine perhaps the knight had been here last night, walking the streets and hidden beneath the water. But that would mean two different nightmares had descended last night—Archie’s and Elle’s—and that had never occurred. At least, not as far as I knew.

Before I could let that revelation unfold, someone tripped over me.

The impact knocked me down, and my charm of stealth broke as my portfolio went flying. Leaves of my drawings danced on the breeze, and I rushed to gather them before they were carried farther into the market. And through the cascade of parchment, I saw him kneeling on the cobblestones, also hurrying to gather my stray illustrations.

Phelan.

My face warmed when I saw him holding my drawings, these intimate pieces of my heart. He paused to study one, transfixed, and I snatched it from his hands.

He scowled, lips pursed as if he wanted to say something snide until he realized it was me and his expression softened. “Forgive me, Miss Madigan. I didn’t see you.”

I made no response but folded my now wrinkled papers back into my portfolio. When I continued to walk up the street, he rushed after me.

“May I walk with you?”

“I suppose,” I said, and quickened my pace. He noticed and kept perfect stride with me, and all the people of Hereswith seemed to freeze, watching the two of us pass by.

“I know you must think very ill of my brother and me,” Phelan began, slightly out of breath as the street took a steep turn. “But I do hope in time that you will come to understand why this happened.”