A girly girl? I liked Hello Kitty and hot pink and sparkly nail polish. But pigeonholing me was unfair; I also liked science fiction and scaling high walls without a rope. Why did men always think you were either a tomboy or a princess? It was possible to be both.

Byron must have sensed my antagonism. ‘It doesn’t mean I think you’re a pushover,’ he breathed. ‘Far from it.’

His voice had changed into that husky rasp again. It was sooo time to back away. ‘Considering I’ve survived being eaten by a giant sea worm and being barbecued like a marshmallow, I’d say that was a given,’ I said stiffly. And with that, we walked in silence back to my room.

Chapter Sixteen

I might not have known much about the Sidhe but people were predictable. It was pretty much a given that Aifric would place an unobtrusive guard on my rooms. He couldn’t afford to have me killed off by whichever renegade Sidhe was doing all this shit – not before I’d fixed his Foinse. With that in mind, I slipped out soon after Byron dropped me off – and before any guards could take their places.

I couldn’t wait around for Brochan to use my true name to bring me to him. I wasn’t sure how long I could carry off this fever business. When it was all over, I’d also need to pretend that I had gained some stupid Gift. I had no idea how I’d manage that. Still, I still felt chipper, despite my near-death experiences; I was certain that my words to Brochan were going to prove true and I was going to escape any divine presents.

I found all three of them huddled round a table in a room near the top of the tower Brochan had pointed out. Lexie and Speck sprang up, barrelling into me with outstretched arms.

‘You’re safe!’ Lexie exclaimed. ‘Brochan told us what happened. How can these idiots want you to save them when they’re trying to kill you at the same time?’

‘Because you said it, Lex,’ Speck added, giving me a warm hug. ‘They’re idiots.’

Lexie raised her blue eyebrows. ‘Are you actually agreeing with me for once?’

‘Even a stopped clock is right twice a day,’ he said.

She frowned at him before turning back to me. ‘You wouldn’t believe the bounty we’ve managed to get while we’ve been here. These Fey planks just leave stuff lying around all over the place. Look!’ She pointed to a collection on the table: there was all manner of jewellery, coins and fripperies.

I gave an approving nod. ‘Nice work. Take care who you target, though. It might be better to leave the Moncrieffes alone.’

Even Brochan looked surprised at that. ‘Why?’

‘Byron Moncrieffe is stepping out with Tipsania Scrymgeour. He gave her a beautiful emerald necklace made entirely out of glass.’