Tears began to run down Bitterblue’s face.

“With all our horrid children gathered around our knees,” he added.

Now Bitterblue was laughing outright.

“How many should we have?” he went on hopefully.

“How about we take it one at a time?”

“We should probably get a dog,” he said.

“Anything else?” said Bitterblue. “A bear? An otter?”

“I’ll make a list.”

“Do you know you’re wearing too many clothes?”

“Am I?”

“Would you like my help?”

“Please.”

Bitterblue loved the moment when Giddon’s shirt fell away from his shoulders, his chest, his torso. She loved pulling his pants down over his hips.

“Oh. But wait,” she said, sitting up again.

“Yes?” said Giddon, with infinite patience.

“I’m going to be your person too, you know.”

“I accept.”

“Tell me something you need emotional support for right now.”

“I’m fine right now, sweetheart.”

“Please? I’m trying to make a symbolic point here, Giddon.”

It was very dear, the shyness that crept into Giddon’s face as he considered her request. “Okay,” he said. “May I have some extra points? For rescuing your ex-lover?”

Bitterblue hugged him, so hard. “Of course you may,” she said. “Extra points, and rewards.”

“Rewards?” he said, grinning.

“Are you ready for your rewards?”

“I’ve been ready for half an hour,” he said. “You keep talking.”

“Punishments for disrespect,” said Bitterblue severely, then subsided into a happy silence under his mouth, his weight. Her worries fell away.

Chapter Forty-three

The next day, Bitterblue visited Quona Varana.

Though Giddon and Hava had warned her, the cats were still alarming. Some eight or nine tagged along as she followed Quona up the stairs to the sitting room, zipping forward, dashing back, turning the steps into an obstacle course.

Quona sat Bitterblue near a massive window, in a chair with a view to the sea. It was lovely, especially when a man brought chocolate cake.

“I must thank you,” said Bitterblue, cradling a plate in her lap, “for the letters that prove the guilt of some of the zilfium importers. I’m sorry my friends broke into your locked room.”

“It was quite natural, in the circumstances,” Quona said, in a brisk, no-nonsense manner. “I’m sorry I underestimated them.”

“Yes, well. I know you’re bonded to seven foxes secretly,” said Bitterblue, “but I’ve no intention of telling anyone. Nor will my friends.”

“In return for what, Lady Queen?” said Quona, with a smile that was grim and efficient, but not unfriendly. Bitterblue supposed she could picture this woman influencing the zilfium vote with bribery and blackmail. She was eating her cake like it was an enemy to be vanquished.

“Information,” said Bitterblue. “Education. Knowledge.”

Quona nodded. “Knowledge is power. Zilfium is also power. If the rumors about your zilfium stores are true, Lady Queen, you’re going to be in a position to make important decisions on behalf of the entire world.”