“Please, I beg you,” she pleads. “Tell me—will he live?”

My unheart sinks as one of the polymaths shakes his head. “I’m sorry, milady. It is still too early to tell.”

Lady Tarroux’s round face crumples, but she tries so hard to remain strong, her posture straight and true. “Please, there must be something I can do to help. Allow me to assist you in any way I can.”

“I’m sorry,” the polymath insists. “There is nothing. His condition is very delicate. The king and queen have already visited him—he must remain alone now. The only ones permitted inside are his polymaths and his bodyguard.”

My stomach sinks and then rises. Malachite must be inside. That’s good—I’m certain he won’t let Lucien die that easily. The king and queen have visited, but not Varia? Where is she? Maybe running damage control—trying to find out which witch did this?

Lady Tarroux swallows, her long, elegant neck bobbing. “Then I will remain here, as close as I can be, and pray to the New God for his life.”

The polymaths and I watch her settle on the carpet, the polymaths scrambling and insisting a noble lady such as she shouldn’t go on her knees in such a public place, but Tarroux ignores them. She sits with her back against Lucien’s wall and clasps her hands, her lips moving silently in fervent prayer. Something like affection for her springs up in me unbidden—pride means everything to a noble, and here she is, prostrating herself in the hopes it will bring Lucien back to life with no regard for how she looks.

I go to Varia’s room and throw on the nearest dress I can find before venturing into the hall again. As I approach Lucien’s door, the polymaths warily watch me, but when I make for Lady Tarroux, they seem to relax. Lady Tarroux doesn’t look up until she hears my boots in front of her. She blinks her large brown eyes up at me and gives me a wan smile.

“Oh, Lady Zera. Have you come to visit the prince, too? He’s very fond of you—your presence will no doubt strengthen his spirit.”

I clear my throat. “I’m not so sure about that.”

“I am.” She sets her mouth in a determined line, her brows drawn. “He speaks very seldom to me, but when he does, it is about you. He cares for you deeply. From what I have gathered, you are a very wonderful person.”