Cordelia blinked, trying to focus through the distractions beside her. Rosalind had won the battle with Giles and was gulping down liquid from the goblet in long, luxuriant swallows that sent waves of delicious scent washing through the air. Cordelia swallowed over her parched throat and forced herself to keep her eyes on their grandmother. “So you knew—”

“That they’d eventually break through all of Kathryn’s spells? Of course. I devoted years of my life to your mother’s training. I know her magical limits as well as I know my own.” With an indulgent smile, Grandmother put one hand out to stop Rosalind from taking another sip. “Do leave enough for the others, dear.”

“Sorry, Grandmother. It just tastes so good!” Rosalind gave her a happy smile, looking as sublimely relaxed as if they were home already, with everything sorted and back to normal. Her voice slurred into a yawn as she finished, “It’s so good to be with family again and finally know the right thing—ohh!” Her strong fingers slipped on the goblet’s stem. She blinked in surprise at her own misbehaving hand, and Giles grabbed the drink just in time.

“You need more sleep, ninny.” Tipping his head back, he took a long sip and closed his eyes in appreciation. “Mmmm!”

A low whimper of envy escaped Cordelia’s throat; she cringed at the sound, but Grandmother chuckled. “Don’t worry,” she said. “He’ll leave enough for you. Won’t you, dear?”

Giles didn’t answer. He was too busy gulping down even more, his face slack with bliss. Next to Cordelia, Rosalind had slumped in her seat, abandoning her usual stiff-backed knightly posture to rest her chin on her fist and let her eyes fall closed; she looked as if she could happily forget everything else and snore all day now that the three of them were finally safe again.

But safety had never been enough for Cordelia. She needed freedom, and for that, she needed answers.

“Why didn’t you move into the forest with Mother and the others?” she asked their grandmother. “And why is it so dangerous for anyone to sit on the Raven Throne? And—”

“My goodness!” Grandmother shook her head ruefully, rattling the black beads in her hairnet. “You’re as full of awkward questions as your mother, aren’t you?”

“Mother?” Cordelia’s brows shot upward in disbelief. “She won’t even listen to any questions!”

“Well, I shall,” said Grandmother, “but first …” She slid the goblet out of Giles’s fingers, and reluctantly, he let it go. “Have a drink, dear girl, before you do any more talking. Your throat is terribly dry, isn’t it? This will make everything so much easier, I promise.”

It was impossible to argue. The goblet settled in Cordelia’s hands with the solid weight of comfort. Delicious steam rose to fill her senses, and she closed her eyes to savor the sensation.