As she approached her cottage, Leelo felt a moment’s relief. It looked peaceful and safe amid the greenery of late spring. Her mother had planted red geraniums in the window boxes, their color bright and cheerful against the blue-and-white trim. She pulled off her leather boots and left them by the front door, relieved that only Mama’s were there. Ketty must be with the sheep.

Inside, Leelo found her mother sitting near the fire. Normally, they wouldn’t heat the house at this time of year, but she was always chilled lately.

“Ketty?” Fiona called when she heard the door open. “Oh, it’s you, dear.” Worry flickered across her brow. “Did something happen on duty?”

Leelo desperately wanted to tell her mother everything. She of all people would understand why Leelo had been unable to kill the outsider.

But she also knew she would be making her mother complicit if she told her about the young man, and whatever happened from this moment, she wouldn’t let her take any of the blame. Leelo wasn’t sure Mama’s heart could take it, and she couldn’t bear the thought of being shunned like Isola.

“I never made it to my Watch this morning,” Leelo said instead. “I missed Tate too much. I went into the woods, to be alone.”

If Fiona didn’t accept the lie, no one would, but she nodded and smiled gently. “I understand. Your aunt and Sage were already out when I came downstairs, but I suppose they noticed your absence.”

Leelo twisted her braid between her fingers. “Do you think I’ll be punished? I know it’s terrible to miss my Watch.”

Fiona patted the arm of her chair, inviting Leelo to sit. She wrapped her arms around Leelo’s waist and kissed her shoulder. “We’ll tell them I couldn’t sleep last night and I sent you out early this morning for some foxglove on the far side of the island. Ketty will still be angry, but she’ll forgive us.”

Leelo breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for her mother’s calm, reassuring presence. It was a good lie, since Leelo did often gather foxglove leaves for tea. It was supposed to help Mama with her heart troubles, though Leelo had been warned to be careful. The entire plant was extremely toxic.

“Thank you, Mama. How are you feeling today?”

“Oh, fine. I was just thinking of your brother.”

“Are you worried about him?”

“No, no. He’s a brave, strong boy. I was only missing him, selfishly. But he’ll do just fine out in the world. I imagine it’s a far more welcoming place than Endla.”