I briefly considered lifting her up and depositing her in front of me until I was done talking, but I suspected manhandling the girl would not predispose her to listening. “Sabine, sit down and listen. Please.”

She grudgingly returned and sat next to Chris, and I proceeded to explain all of what Cécile had seen and heard in Trollus. “Angoulême plans to take control of the city using my brother, and when he does, he’ll arrange to have Anushka killed. The trolls will hail him as their savior, and all the world will suffer for it. And I do not think I’ll be able to stop them.”

“So you plan to kill her instead,” Chris said, and it wasn’t a question.

I nodded. “There is a chance we could catch her and use Aiden’s plan to free Cécile from my father, and then hide her away from the world, but…” I hesitated. “My people are in danger from both within and without, and I have to do what I can to keep them safe.”

“And when the rest of the trolls are free? What then?” Sabine’s arms were wrapped around her body as though to ward off the chill.

“I will try to take the crown,” I said. “And I will spend the rest of my life trying to keep them in check.”

“And if you fail?”

I closed my eyes for a moment, my knowledge of life before the Fall marching unwanted across my vision. “I suggest you pray to your God that I don’t.”

“Is this what Cécile wants?” Chris lifted his head, gaze steely and unflinching.

“So she says.” I leaned back in my chair and hooked an ankle across my knee.

Sabine and Chris exchanged weighted looks, and I stared at my boot to give them a moment.

“I understand if you want to try to put a knife in my back or an arrow through my heart. Who could blame you?” I inhaled and exhaled slowly. “Cécile’s father intends to warn everyone in the Hollow at midnight tonight – it could not be sooner, because we cannot be certain of the loyalties of everyone in your village.” I looked up. “I’ll not stop you if you want to leave and go to them now. I’ll give you the gold you need to book passage on a ship to the continent, although I cannot be certain how long Trianon will be a safe harbor, so you’d need to leave immediately.”

Chris glanced at the water clock and his jaw tightened. Even if they left now, riding in the dark they wouldn’t make it home much before when Louie would set out to spread the word. “You can take my horse and Cécile’s,” I said. “I do not think those in Trollus will act immediately, but the sluag may well venture out under the cover of darkness once they are able.”

Rising to my feet, I went to my chest of gold and filled up a sack. “Here.” I tried to hand it to Chris, but he shook his head. “Sabine?” I held it in her direction, hoping she would at least have a little sense.