She drifted off again, then woke as the first hint of light edged around the curtains. Agapantha and Cora were still in what looked like a deep sleep, so Prue dressed silently in her white shirt and trousers and crept downstairs. The comforting, yeasty smell of proving loaves wafted up from the kitchen. If she closed her eyes, she could almost be back on the farm.

To her surprise, Edwin was already in the dining room with Queen Adelaide.

“You’re up early,” Prue said. “Couldn’t you sleep?” She wondered if he was still bothered about the personifate attack.

Edwin shook his head. “No need – qwortzite keeps going.”

“Oh, of course. I can’t imagine what it’s like, not even needing to sleep. So, it runs for ever?”

There was an awkward silence as Edwin and Queen Adelaide exchanged a glance, then Edwin said, “Not quite for ever – it varies. They say ten to fifteen years is the average life of a fully charged unit of qwortzite. With a spirit in it, the material degrades over time.”

Prue hadn’t realized the personifates had a time limit, and that it was such a short lifespan. She thought it must be hard to live with the knowledge that there was probably only ten years to do all the things you wanted to in life.

But she would give anything for one more week with Francis, let alone ten years.

“But the craftsmen advise resting our bodies,” Edwin added. “Some say it may prolong second-life a bit. But my thoughts are usually too active.”

Lavender came into the room carrying a tray full of pastries. Prue grabbed one as she passed, like she used to at home.

“Hey, they’re not even on the table yet, Missy!” said Lavender.

“Manners,” Queen Adelaide said, shaking her head.

Prue felt a little embarrassed, but she took a bite anyway.

“How are you, Queen Adelaide?” said Lavender. She turned to Prue. “Master Woolstenbury sent a note over explaining what happened in the forest yesterday. She said you all saw it. A terrible business, to be sure, but Master Woolstenbury says there’s likely nothing to worry about.”

“That’s easy for her to say – she’s not knee-high to a human,” Queen Adelaide scoffed.

“Oh, Queen Adelaide, you barely leave the house!” said Lavender.

“Well, I have my subjects to think about.”

“They’ve searched the area and found nothing. She thinks it’s likely a wolf or fox passing through, hungry with autumn setting in. Nevertheless, they are assigning more guards and telling the personifates to be careful of the forest.”

“I’m not certain that I feel reassured,” said Queen Adelaide haughtily.

Liddy walked briskly into the dining room and put a jug of juice on the table. “Stop fretting, Queen Adelaide. I’m sure it’s nothing to get overly panicky about.”

“That’s what I said, Liddy.” Lavender gave a “told you so” nod.