An uneasy thought occurred to me. “They aren’t so desperate that they’ll report on me in some attempt to buy favor, are they?”

“I do not believe so, mistress. I believe they have simply given up altogether. Should the opportunity for revenge and escape arise, it’s possible they may regain their momentum.”

“Let’s hope so,” I muttered. We’d gone from five to three allies. I still thought those were good odds, but I preferred “overwhelming” to “good.”

“Also,” added Volusian, with what I was certain was a note of displeasure, “I have a message from the Oak King.”

“What’d he say?”

“He says that in addition to finding the talismans’ location, you should also consider that they will have some sort of magical protection on them. Finding them and defeating their guards may not be enough if there is a shield or enchantment in place that you don’t know how to defeat.”

“Excellent point—not that I should expect less from Dorian. Do you think that’s likely?”

“Almost certainly.”

“No spell’s permanent, of course. Someone powerful enough could blast through it—or several someones. And that’s the thing. She probably had multiple people helping set up these defenses, just like with the blight. This thing’s going to be a bitch to crack.”

Volusian considered. “Yes, but there is probably a trick or simpler way of undoing any protective magic around the gifts. No one wants to be locked out of their own spell, and she must get through her defenses occasionally to move new objects in.”

My head was hurting from all the growing complications. “So, there’s something else we have to figure out. Unless we can just make it work with brute magical force.”

“That is still an option,” he agreed.

“Thanks. You can go.”

I sighed and stretched back out on the bed, trying to figure out how I was going to stage a master escape plan when my allies consisted of a bunch of restrained prisoners, a spirit confined to a hallway, and a bird that may or may not understand me. Glancing over, I saw that Volusian was still standing there and watching me.

“What?” I asked. “Is there something else?”

“The Oak King had another message for you.”

“Oh? What was it?”

“He said ...” I again got that vibe of distaste from Volusian. “He said to tell you he misses you and takes comfort in knowing your room is close to his—though it’s still not nearly close enough. He says he will lie in bed tonight and imagine the distance between you is gone and that you are there with him.”

“My God ,” I said, nearly bursting out laughing. “I thought it was bad for you before.”

Volusian made no response. I tried to adopt some seriousness but knew I was grinning.

“Tell him that’s very sweet but awfully presumptuous, in light of our history.”