Instantly, Lovisa understood. Nori Orfa, the wealthy tea manor boy, had pretended to be plain-old, one-named Nori from home, poor like Nev, humble like Nev, as part of his tactical pursuit of her. That was how he’d ingratiated himself. He’d probably emphasized his northern accent with her to hook her, make her feel like he was the kind of boy she’d known all her life. He’d probably talked of places in Torla’s Neck they both knew, while leaving out the names of his particular friends. It was what she would’ve done too, if she’d had Nori’s resources and her goal had been to take Nev in. There were traveling actors in Winterkeep, especially outside of Ledra, dancers, players, magicians who went from town to town, looking for audiences. Some of them were impersonators—of the Governor of Mantiper, or the richest lady in Borza, or a king from the Royal Continent. Nori was a player too, impersonating a human who wasn’t a piece of garbage.

She understood him perfectly and she wanted to scratch his face off. “There’s more,” she said, clearing her throat uncomfortably. “I think he has a girlfriend at home.”

Nev had pressed herself into the corner of the bed, head bent. She looked as small as one of Lovisa’s little brothers.

“I’m sorry,” Lovisa said. “I think I know her name. I was considering writing her a letter about her boyfriend. Do you want her name too?”

“No,” Nev whispered.

“Okay,” said Lovisa. “I won’t write to her if you don’t want me to.”

“I don’t mind,” said Nev. “But don’t use my name or describe me. For all I know, she’s my neighbor and she’ll call on me one day to doctor her horse or something.”

“Right,” said Lovisa. “Of course.” She didn’t know what else to say. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. If I’d realized you were a normal person with normal feelings, I would have. But I’ve always thought you were on a plane above me.

“What will you do?” she asked.

“I’m going home,” said Nev.

“What do you mean?” said Lovisa, instantly worried. “In the middle of the term? Don’t let him ruin your studies, Nev!”

“It was decided yesterday,” said Nev. “I’m taking a leave of absence. There are—I’ve been—it’s best if I go home for a bit. I’m leaving today.”

“Oh. How sudden,” said Lovisa, crushed by this, not understanding. “But, why?”

Nev took a moment to study her own hands. Then she raised a face to Lovisa that contained both uncertainty and defiance. “Apparently I’ve learned some things,” she said. “Apparently they’re dangerous.”

“Oh!” said Lovisa, suddenly dismayed. “What things?”