Blossom nickered as I called her name. She stuck her head out of her stall to greet me and Bridget, snuffling at both of us. Bridget flew to the top of the stall, then down to land on the horse’s back, near her mane.

Blossom turned her head to get a good look at her new rider, decided this was all right, then began nibbling the buttons of my doublet. I rubbed her neck and fed her a pear I’d swiped from last night’s dinner. She really was an amazing animal.

“You said first light,” Tom complained.

“I know.”

“I don’t see any light.”

“I know, I know. Let’s just go.”

“Odd’s fish.”

“You have the king’s hat,” I said. “I don’t think you can take his curses, too.”

Tom looked guilty, like he’d been caught dipping his hand in the sweets.

We rode quickly, carrying lanterns to light our way. The streets were quiet, too early for traffic, so it took us no time at all to reach Blackthorn. Even Henri, Simon’s bodyguard, was sleeping, flat on the counter, arms dangling down. We could hear his snoring from outside.

Simon was already awake, lying on his stomach as usual, chest bandaged. He squinted at our lanterns as we entered my bedroom. “What is it—oh. Christopher,” Simon said. “I thought you were Dr. Kemp.”

“Does he usually come this early?” I said.

“No. You had me worried for a second. Why are you here at this hour?”

Tom slumped his head against the doorjamb. “Yes, why?” he said.

“I needed to arrange a few things,” I said. “And I wanted to check on you.”

“Thoughtful of you. I’m all right, other than not sleeping. And being bored out of my mind.”

I regretted not being able to be here for him. He wouldn’t have any trouble sleeping on the poppy, but once it wore off, the pain would keep him up. “Must be hard, being stuck in bed.”

“Even rising to use the chamber pot is an adventure in pain. What’s happening at the palace?”

“I’m not really supposed to say.”

He rolled a bit, to look at me. “Aha. A secret— Ow!” He rolled back, thinking better of it. “In Paris, that would make you the most interesting man in the room.”

“I’d rather be the most boring,” I said.

“Take it from me, you wouldn’t. Speaking of which, I don’t suppose you could find me something among these books, could you? The ones in arm’s reach are all apothecary business and philosophy, and while I find it fascinating, I’d rather read something that lets me escape this lovely prison.”

I knew just the thing. I scrounged around in the spare room for a moment before I found what I was looking for. By the time I got back, Tom had sat at the desk, head down. I think he was already asleep.

I placed the books on the bed beside Simon. There were two volumes, squat but thick. “Here you go.”