The voice was silent. Because Claire’s plan was exactly something Sophie would do. Sophie would let Lyric lead her straight to the Love Knot Tine, and then once she’d figured out how to steal it, she’d flee before anyone could catch her. It was a terrible plan, a dangerous plan, a Sophie-like plan. And therefore, it must be the right plan, even if her blood ran cold whenever Claire thought about the last time a valuable object had been stolen from a guild. The Unicorn Harp. Sena had taken it with all the best intentions, and she’d almost been killed for it.

“Look out!” There was a yank on Claire’s sleeve, and Lyric pulled her away from the swinging tail end of a rolled-up carpet slung across the shoulder of a tired-looking Spinner. If it had connected with Claire, she definitely would have fallen into the canal.

“Thanks,” Claire said, feeling a little breathless. Making a splash in front of everyone wouldn’t have been the best way to start her new plan. Needle Pointe was crowded—more crowded than any of the other places Claire had visited in Arden, and with each passing minute, more and more narrowboats floated into the canals.

“Lyric,” Claire asked, curious, “how will they fit more boats here for Starfell next month?”

“Next month?” Lyric looked puzzled. “Elaina—Starfell isn’t next month; it’s three sunsets from now.”

Claire stumbled to a halt.

“What?” She looked around wildly. There were still leaves on some trees. “But you said—I thought the star shower marked the beginning of winter! It’s not even that cold yet!”

“Speak for yourself.” Lyric shrugged. “It’s always chilly on the river ways.”

“But,” Claire said, her voice beginning to edge on frantic, “that means Estelle is going to be crowned in just three days!” Her chest tightened. That wasn’t even enough time for a watercolor to properly dry!

“I know,” Lyric squealed with excitement, and she broke into a quick jog, as though by moving faster, she could make Starfell arrive even sooner. Claire, however, felt rooted to the spot.

She would never be able to collect all four tines in three days.

Deep breaths, the Sophie voice in her mind instructed. Don’t give up—you’re already close to the Love Knot Tine, and it’s not even noon.

Claire breathed, and focused. Estelle had demanded that all the guilds meet with her, which must mean she needed all four tines for the crown to be as potent as it was in the old tales. If Claire could prevent just a single tine from getting to Hilltop Palace, maybe she could delay the coronation until sometime after Starfell, buying herself and Nadia the days they needed to gather the other three.

You mean, the Sophie voice teased, steal.