She regarded Saika’s flowing sundress with lace-capped shoulders, her slender ears and button nose, her rouged cheeks and bowed lips. It made sense that Delta would fall for her. She was the picture of innocence . . . which also made her perfect as a spy.

“Did you witness the attack?” Bri asked, clinking her cup into the saucer.

“No,” Saika replied, smoothing her hands down her cream-colored dress. “I wasn’t here.”

Bri cocked her head. “Where were you?”

Carys shifted in her seat, the slightest clearing of her throat telling Bri she should leave it. Saika didn’t seem to notice.

“I was visiting my family in High Meadow,” she said.

“How fortunate you weren’t here,” Bri murmured, plucking a honey cake off the tray and chucking the entire dessert into her cheek.

The sound of shuffling announced a guard entering the room and Saika rose from her chair. “Excuse me one moment,” she said, skating over to where the guard waited, holding a scroll in his hand.

Carys leaned in toward Bri. “What are you doing?”

“Getting to know Saika,” Bri whispered.

“You’re interrogating her,” Carys hissed.

“Someone in this castle played a part in the Queen’s assassination.”

Carys gaped at her, tipping her head to where Saika stood in the far archway. “And you think she is the mastermind behind the witch hunter attacks?”

“Of course not,” Bri scoffed. Carys was about to nod when Bri added, “I think she’s a spy for the mastermind of the witch hunter attacks.”

Carys lifted her hands in frustration, her blond braid swishing as she shook her head. “And this doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that she is Delta’s wife?”

“No.”

Carys rolled her eyes.

“I’m being sensible and considering everyone possibly linked to the attacks,” Bri gritted out. “I don’t care that she’s Delta’s wife.”

“Of all the people since”—Bri cut her a look, warning Carys to choose her next words carefully—“since Falhampton, Delta’s the only one you’ve kept any ongoing relations with.”

“Relations?” Bri quirked her brow, giving Carys a smirk. “It was just a bit of fun, Car.”

“I’m not saying there were any feelings, other than the expectation that your fun would continue.” Carys held up a placating hand. “But that’s still a bias.”

“It doesn’t mean I’m wrong.” Bri’s voice dropped into a growl as Saika wandered back.

“I hope nothing’s wrong?” Carys asked as Saika lowered softly into her chair, her skirts billowing around her curving hips.

Saika waved the concern away. “Oh no, not at all.” She laughed in that sickly sweet feminine voice that made Bri grind her teeth. “It was just a letter from the swordsmith about a delay.”

“You don’t strike me as someone who wields a sword,” Bri murmured.

Saika’s lashes fluttered to her hands. “It’s for Delta.” Her lips pulled up as she said her wife’s name. “I’m having a new sword made for her, one that will balance better now . . .”

Now that most of her arm had been removed. Bri glanced to the closed bedroom door where Delta slept.