This reverie was not just dreams and whimsy, like Kane had thought. It was a person’s psychology, rendered in vivid fantasy. They had waltzed in the ballroom of an old woman’s loss and wandered the corridors of her grief. This party was her pain, this garden her purgatory, and they were just playing dress-up in it. Meddling, like it was a game.

No, it was worse than that. This reverie was Helena’s last resort, and they were about to ruin it all.

Kane ran under nets of frail moonlight pushing through the trellises, hurtling over bridges and brooks and stone walkways. Nearby there was a loud bang, and acrid smoke drifted on the sweet breeze. He followed it to its source: a courtyard hidden from the château by copses of thick willows, then stopped at the edge, breathless, to take in the developing scene.

Two horses stood in the shadows, Helena fussing with the saddles. In the center of the courtyard sat an elaborate spread of wire and tubes, like cannons. One was smoking, and small fires littered the scene. An older man lay off to the side, his mouth gagged and wrists bound.

“Helena, I’m here,” shouted Elliot as he strode gallantly into the courtyard.

Panic seized Kane, but not so much panic that he couldn’t notice how good Elliot looked in Regency-era formality. His coat was a deep green, and it strained over his broad chest and thick arms. Kane was paying close attention to his thighs when he remembered this was going to be a disaster.

Helena put herself between Elliot and the horses, her shock barely concealed.

“Johan, what are you doing here?”

“I heard the first firework and came to find you, my love.”

Elliot’s acting was very bad.

“It was an accident. Nothing more,” said Helena, glancing at the bound body, which Elliot had yet to see. “You’d better hurry to the patio. The guests are all watching from there.”

“You don’t want to watch, too?”

“No.” Helena stepped closer, keeping Elliot from advancing any farther. “I’ll be watching from here. I’m making sure they go off, according to plan. And they’re due to go off soon. So, please, won’t you join the other guests? It’s dangerous down here.”

Kane had to stop himself from jumping in. He would only make things worse, like last time, but couldn’t Elliot feel the electric revulsion in the air? It was sour against Kane’s senses, every bit of the reverie ready to rip Elliot apart if he did not leave. But he continued to smile as though he were the best possible gift Helena could be receiving.

“I am ready to face down any danger if it means being with you,” Elliot said, reaching for Helena’s hand.

“Get away from him.”

Adeline lurched into the scene, champagne glass hanging from her swaying form. She seemed much drunker now.