“I hate when she does that.” Holgarth looked ticked.

It must have been tough losing his star witness right in the middle of the interrogation. Dacian pushed back his chair and stood. Cinn did the same.

“We have to get all the plants out of the guests’ rooms.” Cinn’s voice didn’t quiver, but the strain had to be working on her.

“Asima didn’t say what Airmid had planned for Cinn.” And right now Cinn was more important to Dacian than a hundred of her plants. “I’ll be with her at night, but from dawn till sunset there always has to be someone watching her.” He cast Bain a pointed stare. “Someone who doesn’t sleep on the job.”

Bain glared before looking away.

“I’ll be with her in the afternoon.” Sparkle didn’t sound happy about that. “Tomorrow I have to buy new outfits. Ordinary. Serviceable. Cheap.” She said each word as though it burned her tongue. “I’ll need support.” She glanced at Cinn. “Would you go with me to the…” She closed her eyes, girding herself to say the words. “…big-box store?”

“What store did you have in mind?” There wasn’t a lot of interest in Cinn’s voice.

Sparkle shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve never been in one.”

Oh, crap. Cinn was going to have a hell of a day with the queen of sex and sin. Well, Dacian might not be able to help her with Sparkle, but he could sure make the rest of the night more comfortable. “I think Cinn needs some rest now.”

“I haven’t adjourned the meeting yet.” It seemed as if that really bothered Holgarth.

“Too bad.” Dacian guided Cinn out of the room.

She said nothing until they walked into her room and he closed the door behind them. “Thanks for getting me out of there.” Cinn glanced around and then froze.

He followed her gaze. On top of her pillow lay a sprig of some plant. “What is it?”

“Lavender. From Airmid. Who else would put it there?” Her expression turned bitter. “Just a friendly reminder that she can go anywhere she wants and there’s nowhere I can hide.”

Fury rose in him. He felt his fangs pushing against his lip and knew if she glanced at him now she’d see the black eyes he’d shown her in the dungeon. With a huge effort, he pushed back against his need for violence. “You don’t have to hide. I’m here with you. And there are enough nonhumans in this castle to give even Airmid a fight. She’s on our turf now.”

Cinn turned weary eyes toward him. “Thanks for the support. Appreciate it.” She looked around as though she didn’t know where to start. “I’m just going to grab a few things. I’m sleeping in the greenhouse tonight.”