“Our magistrate took him into custody,” a gruff voice said. She could feel the voice vibrating right through her body. It came from Davvi, who was carrying her against his chest, like a child. “He’s on his way to the Ledra Magistry now.”

Lovisa thought of her father being pulled away from her, dragged across the sky, all the way to Ledra. She thought of her mother, dead. Katu had stayed behind at the house with the house staff, who were going to care for him, and keep the guards bound until the Magistry could come for them. “Where are my brothers?” she asked. “Who’s taking care of my brothers?”

“We’ll find out for you, Lovisa,” said Davvi. “I promise. For now, you can let yourself sleep. We’ll help you figure out the rest tomorrow.”

She believed him. Did that mean she’d given up, if she trusted him? Was it safe?

Carried in the strong arms of Nev’s father, Lovisa surrendered herself to sleep.

Chapter Forty-one

In early morning, Lovisa woke in Nev’s bed.

It was all done now. The mystery of the banker’s box solved. Katu found. The criminals captured. The Monseans could go home; it was over.

But for Lovisa, there would never be an end.

Cautiously, she reached up, felt her face, her hair, her neck. She had a small bandage on her forehead, and a split lip. Everything hurt. Her body screamed with tender places when she moved, but when she tried, she was able to stand.

When she stepped into the house’s tiny, main room, there was already a distinct sense of something new: departure. Giddon and Hava sat at the table, filling their mouths with stew and talking to Saiet. Hava didn’t look like she should be sitting up. Purple bruises ringed her copper-colored eye, shocking against her pale skin. She also had a bandaged forehead, a plaster cast on her lower leg and foot, and she gasped whenever she moved. But she seemed cheerful.

“We’ll go back to Ledra soon,” Giddon was saying to Saiet. “Everyone’s waiting for Bitterblue.”

Saiet, noticing Lovisa, held out a hand to welcome her. “Lovisa,” he said, and she braced herself against the questions she knew were coming. What about you? When are you leaving? What are you going to do now, with the ruin of your life?

“Where are my brothers?” she said.

“Our magistrate has sent a message to the Magistry in Torla’s Neck, asking that question on your behalf,” said Saiet. “We should know sometime today.”

“Oh.”

“Lovisa,” said Saiet gently, studying her face. “Can I offer you something to eat?”

Lovisa didn’t think her stomach could accept any food. Then Davvi bustled out of the other bedroom, Bitterblue came in from outside, and the room was far too crowded with people who had questions in their eyes.

“Is there somewhere I could go?” she said. “And sit, and be alone?”