“What is it, then?” I ask, eagerly welcoming any change of discussion at all. “I would say bogwater, but I know you’re not that kind of witch.”

She gifts me a half-scathing, half-amused glance. “Yolshil. Celeon liquor. It’s got more burn but less bite.”

“Which makes it perfect for you, because you have enough teeth already.”

It’s a vague allusion to the valkerax, but even slightly buzzed she gets it, and to my surprise she throws back her head and laughs. When she calms down, she drinks the rest of the liquor.

“Father really did miss an opportunity to make you his laughing boy.”

“Why are you still up?” I ask warily.

The princess shrugs. “Sleeping is difficult for me, as you’ve seen.” In a bid to change the subject, she motions to a table next to her. “You’ve received gifts.”

I walk over to the table laden with two things: a letter and a long package wrapped in brown paper. I quirk a brow and approach suspiciously, peeling the letter open. It isn’t sealed with wax, which means it’s not a letter from a noble in Vetris. The handwriting strikes me as familiar, but I can’t quite place it.

Zera,

I hope this finds you well. Considering I am sending this letter to Vetris once I am finished, I would hope, too, that you are practicing and executing your manners within court sufficiently.

My unheart swells. It’s so much more than a chilly sentence. I know instantly who wrote this—Y’shennria. Suddenly the paper I’m clutching and each word on it become more precious than gold.

You should know that I and the others who came with me are safe, and we have been since our departure. I wish that you could be here with us, so that I wouldn’t waste what’s left of my life worrying into the night about you.

She’s worried about me? My chest feels like it’s glowing from within. Reginall, her driver Fisher, her cook Maeve, and her stableboy Pierrot—all of them are safe. All of the people who helped me immensely, who were kind to me in different ways. It’s a huge relief to know they’re out of harm’s way.

Our mutual friend who sent you to me originally has told me something precious to you now belongs to someone else in Vetris.

The sentence is vague intentionally, no mentions of witches or Heartless. She means Nightsinger, and my heart.

If you see a chance to depart from Vetris someday and find yourself alone, I will leave some direction for you at the place you have seen, where the birds fly.