“He’s family,” I said. “Well, Ruby is, and that makes him a part of it, too. But, Leander…” My voice trailed off in the expectant darkness. It would be so much easier if I could see his face. “Is this actually bothering you? Why? It’ll be good to have more allies in the neighborhood, won’t it?”

“Of course.” His tone sounded like ground glass now. “I’m delighted. Why wouldn’t I be?”

It had been a very long day and night, and I hadn’t slept in far too many hours. I was in no state to work out his riddles, especially…

Oh. Wait! I could deduce this problem after all. “So, your future bride wouldn’t like any non-necromantic neighbors living too close?” There was a decided snap in my tone, now; irritation did a brilliant job of clearing away all of my mental fog. “Well, I’m sure her lovely bridal gift will help soften the blow when she discovers all the rest of us cluttering up her new neighborhood.”

“I beg your pardon?” This time, Leander was the one who sounded confused.

“Ha!” This was why I had decided not to travel back together in the first place; I’d known I would need significant time on my own before I could discuss all of this with any semblance of rationality. I should have left Larimont on my own or with the others after all. “Just leave me at the coaching inn tomorrow,” I said through my teeth. “That should be perfect.”

There was a long, uneasy silence. My gloved fingers drummed against my satin skirts. Was he embarrassed by my emotional display? Uncertain how to handle it?

It was certainly too late now to hide the humiliating fact that I was jealous. Perhaps it was just as well, though. Hadn’t I told myself that I was finished with deceptions and role-playing? If I couldn’t pretend to be genuinely disinterested, then maybe it was time to let down my final shields of my own accord.

“I need time apart,” I said bluntly. “I can’t manage being with you right now.”

“I…see.” He took a ragged breath, sounding almost as if he had been struck. “Well.” Another breath. “You must do what’s right for you, of course. Are you…reconsidering our alliance?”

“No.” Would this carriage ever reach our destination? I cast my mind back, desperately trying to remember exactly how long the trip had taken last time. “We can stay allies. But I need time away before I can be your friend again.”

This time, he didn’t even reply. His silence was acceptance enough.

“What was it that you wanted to discuss?” I finally prompted. “When you asked me to wait for you?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore.” He sighed. “I won’t bother you with it, Mia. I should have known better.”