Mama cut her off. “The library is too exposed. Besides, if you want unusual tithes, the University is your best bet. Plus, you know the court leaves the acolytes to their own devices.”

Ren knew. It was why you never saw acolytes at the Great Hall for meals. “If I found some old acolyte robes to wear…”

“I’ll see what I can rustle up. In the meantime, when did you last shield yourself?”

“This morning,” Ren said. “I do it each day before breakfast.”

“I’m afraid you’ll need to tithe for this.” Mama searched her face. “Get some rest. I’ll tell the Talons I’m fetching you medicine; I’ll be back in a few hours with what we need.”

Ren sank back against her pillows, heart in her throat. The moment the door shut, all she could think about was Father. Did he see Rozalind’s face when she cursed him?

She was still awake, staring at the ceiling, when Mama returned with a yellow acolyte’s robe. She took one look at Ren’s face and murmured, “Scoot over.”

She slid into bed next to Ren and began to talk.

She told Ren how she first met Andros. He’d left his crown behind, walked to town in disguise. “When he was younger he did that often,” Mama said, “to try and understand his people from within rather than above.”

Mama had been on an errand for Madam Oruna’s predecessor, haggling for cotton. She caught Andros watching her, and pinned him for a new noble, green to the market. Mama spent half the day showing him around, giving him tips on how to bargain. It wasn’t until the end of the day, when he offered to walk her back to the Keep, arm-in-arm, that she finally noticed the ununiformed Talon tailing him.

Only then did she realize who she’d been flirting with.

The story warmed Ren’s heart, just a little. Enough for her to catch a few winks of sleep before dawn came.

As the sun rose, Mama slipped Ren a sharp-backed pin from her gown to use for a bloodletter. Ren arranged the bed while Mama dug through her closet. Between several pillows and some rolled-up gowns, they managed to re-create an impressive imitation of a sleeping Lady Florencia, buried under the covers.

“You won’t have long.” Mama strewed a few crumpled handkerchiefs around the bed, to give the impression Ren had been up all night crying. “They’ll send a mender once I leave.”

Ren bobbed her head. “I’ll be quick. You’ll tell Akeylah where I am?”

“I’ll go straight to her chambers from here.”

Ren noted with approval that Mama had finally stopped harping on about trusting her sisters. “Ready?” Ren crouched by the entrance, Mama’s pin poised in the crook of her elbow.

Mama reached for the door.