The carriage slows to a stop. Montparnasse alights. I wake Ettie and we climb out.

Some Assassins have gathered in the cold, near the carriage behind our own. Behind it are a dozen more carriages, all bearing the royal insignia.

“What’s going on?” Ettie asks.

Montparnasse beckons to me. I approach him warily.

“The dauphin gave strict orders that these carriages were to accompany us,” he says, pointing at an open door. The Assassins step aside for me, and I have little choice but to peer inside.

“Oh, Nina!” Ettie says breathlessly beside me.

For the carriage is full of bread, from floorboards to roof. I look at the line of carriages behind us and hurry to the second one, yanking open its door. This one is filled with dozens of bags of grain, all full to bursting, as are the next and the next and the next …

Two nights pass before the Miracle Court is convened. The air burns with the light of a thousand candles illuminating the Lords at the high table. Corday comes in, followed by her Assassins, who are bearing armfuls of bread. She takes her place among the Lords and calls me forward. My eyes are drawn to Lord Kaplan, who watches me with steely intent. I try not to shiver.

The Assassins put the bread on the table before the Lords; they pile it high until it makes a mountain and starts tumbling onto the floor. The Court has not seen so much bread in one place in years, and the sacks of grain will ensure that none of the court’s children will go to bed hungry tonight, or for months to come.

“Speak then, little Cat,” Corday tells me.

I step forward, shaking from head to toe, not sure whom to look at. Tomasis, Femi, Orso, and Loup are all watching me.

“I offer the bread price for Ettie, daughter of the Dead Lord,” I say. “I have paid the full price, as witnessed by my brethren,” I add, looking to Corday. “In a time of famine, there can be no higher price to pay.”

“There is no higher price to pay,” the Lords murmur as one.

“I have paid this price to buy my sister’s freedom. She’s a child of the Beggars Guild. By the Law, none shall touch her.”

“None shall touch her,” they repeat.

I risk a look at the Tiger. Before, Ettie had only the protection of the Beggars Guild. But now all the Guilds are sworn to protect her. That is what I’ve bought with carriages full of bread and grain.

In the shadows I see Thénardier turn to leave, his face twisted into a grimace, his ruined arm tucked into his coat. I’ve stolen his hand and his pride, and I’ve stolen Ettie from him yet again.

Tomasis motions to me, and I approach him, bowing respectfully.

“My Lord.” I present him with the small shining snuffbox. “It belongs to the dauphin of France.”

Tomasis laughs and throws his arm around my shoulder, dragging me to himself and squeezing me till I can barely breathe.