Yes. He was very happy to see them again, said Bitterblue. Those notes were helpful to me. They helped me with some important realizations. Oh! she cried, remembering. I still haven’t told Giddon happy birthday!

Is it Giddon’s birthday?

His birthday was in August.

You’re very late, the fox said frankly.

Yes.

I’ve been thinking, said the fox, about what it’d be like to be bonded to someone I didn’t lie to.

Bitterblue had wondered if this topic would be forthcoming. Adventure, she said. I’m not certain you comprehend what a queen is, or how complicated it would be for one to have a telepathic fox.

Complicated sounds interesting.

I could not possibly lie about you to any of the people I trust. I’m afraid it would extend far beyond Giddon.

I’ve been thinking about that, said the fox. You live in Monsea. There are no other blue foxes there. What if I began a brand-new culture of foxkind, with brand-new rules? Less lying!

I admit, that’s interesting, said Bitterblue, meaning it. Such a thing would be both complicated and interesting.

Do you have airships in Monsea? asked the fox primly.

No.

You really should.

Adventure, said Bitterblue. Focus. I don’t think you realize how many ground rules we’d have to have. For example, no reading people’s minds.

What? said the fox. Ever?

Maybe, if someone is an enemy. I don’t know. We’d need to talk about it.

I’m not sure how not to read people’s minds, the fox said, if their minds are hanging wide open.

Well, practice, said Bitterblue, feeling stern, and tired, and hopeful. There are three dozen people on this street, all staring at me. Can you try reading none of their minds?

—

When Bitterblue finally reached the hotel, the hotel guards were closing the doors behind a pale, blond-haired woman in a yellow coat.

“Oh, hello,” said Bitterblue, who’d never seen this woman before. She was so surprised to encounter someone from home that she almost forgot to speak Lingian.

The woman shrank at the sight of her. She shot Bitterblue one quick, searching look through black and yellow eyes. “Hello, Lady Queen,” she said, then scampered away down the street.

Bitterblue found Giddon inside the doors, staring into the middle distance with a thoughtful and slightly grumpy expression. Since no one else was in the lobby and Ranin and Mart were still trailing behind, Bitterblue had the pleasure of admiring him for a moment, then going to him and kissing him.

“I have something to tell you,” she said.

Happy birthday? suggested the fox, who was still hiding in her hood.

You be quiet! Bitterblue said. And no mind reading!

I’m not! he cried indignantly. But you should ask him about that woman! I know her!