I was fairly certain my mother had the resources to find someone else with the glimmer of alchemy necessary to brew the elixir that kept me alive, should it come down to it. But Ignazio gave her a satisfied smile as if he took his cousin at her word. So I said, “Yes, thank you,” even though I had five and a half bottles left, not four.

We settled down and talked about the weather and other inconsequential matters as the servants passed around lemon tarts. The unspoken subject of Ardence stiffened Ignazio’s shoulders and clipped off every word. The tension coming off him seemed to settle in my own spine, until I had to stuff a lemon tart in my mouth to keep from asking what had gone so wrong with the city I loved.

“I hope you had no trouble hiring a carriage,” my mother said, watching Ignazio’s face. “I’ve heard the duke of Ardence is making even simple matters difficult for Raverrans, with his recent rashness.”

Ardence at last. I straightened, listening.

Ignazio sighed. “Duke Astor Bergandon has the ambition of his great ancestors, but he lacks temperance. His father listened to my advice, but Astor and his court seem bent on driving the city to ruin.” He took a draft of his wine. “If the doge had given me the powers I asked for, this ugly situation with the illegal taxes would never have happened.”

“Mmm,” La Contessa said. I knew she clashed often with Baron Leodra over issues of sovereignty. I wouldn’t be surprised if asking for those additional powers was what sealed Ignazio’s removal from his post.

Ignazio eyed his empty glass morosely. “Even without the authority to simply overrule Astor, I was doing well enough. I had agreements in place with some of the duke’s more competent people, and I was flattering him to our side. If I’d had another two weeks, I could have had things back under control.”

“Of course,” my mother murmured, signaling the servants to refill Ignazio’s cup. “But you know the doge. He wanted immediate results.”

“He’ll get them,” Ignazio said darkly. “He sent Lady Terringer. She’s a retired general, not a diplomat. She’ll be the spark to Bergandon’s tinder. Appointing Terringer is courting war.”

My tart went dry in my mouth. I swallowed, with difficulty. “Surely it won’t come to that.”

“I hope not.”

But my mother chuckled. “Don’t be dramatic, Ignazio. You’re scaring the girl.” If she noticed me stiffen, it didn’t give her pause. “They’re a long road from taking up arms against the Empire.”

“Not if the Shadow Gentry get their way.”

“The Shadow Gentry?” I’d never heard the name before. “What’s that, an assassin’s guild?”