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“But it doesn’t make sense, does it, Amity?” Rue asked. “That method.”
Amity nodded. “I thought the same thing.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Wolves of Nightfall are a proud pack,” Rue said. “To try to get revenge in this method…it doesn’t suit a Nightfall wolf.”
Amity nodded in agreement. “Rona’s family were proud of her winning the lottery,” she said. “If Ulfric was working alone, he would’ve challenged you.”
“Challenged me?” I asked, blinking back my surprise. “A lady?”
Rue nodded. “You proved yourself a worthy competitor. If he really wanted revenge, and to better his family’s standing, he would’ve challenged you formally.”
“Plus,” Amity said, “where would he have gotten drugs?”
“You two have thought about this a lot,” I said.
“We heard rumors only,” Rue said. “And there’s not much else to do in the kitchens when you’re washing dishes.”
“Drugs are expensive,” Amity said. “Rona’s family can’t afford something like that. The ones that work in the manor provide for their entire family.”
“Ulfric works in the manor?” I asked. Was he the one who had given me the wine? I wished I could remember the face of the servant who had brought me the glass. I’d been so anxious, so wrapped up in my own thoughts, and he’d just been another passing worker in a long string of them. How many people had I ignored in that way? I pressed my lips together.
“I think so,” Rue said. “I haven’t seen him recently.”
“Where would he have gotten the drugs?” I asked.
“That I don’t know,” Rue said. “I wish there was more I could do, milady.”
Strangely, I wasn’t even angry at Ulfric. I understood where he’d come from. If his family was as poor as Rue said they were—maybe Rona was their first real chance at a better life. And now she was dead, and I was the high-class lady about to take the role they had hoped for her. I sighed and sank lower in the bath. It was cruel, honestly, to even hold the lottery at all, considering it was all for show. To give a family like that a taste of possibility and then yank it out from underneath them.
I finished bathing and climbed out of the tub, then dressed quickly in one of the plush robes provided. It was much better than the heavy, scratchy cloak—but part of me missed the scent of it. I pushed that thought down.
“Rue, can you do me a favor?” I asked.
“Certainly,” Rue said.
I rummaged around in my trunk and pulled out some of the coins I’d brought with me. Everything so far had been covered by Nightfall—I hadn’t spent a cent. But how much money was a life worth? Impossible to say. I put what I assumed to be a few months’ wages into a small bag and handed it to Rue. “Will you take this to Rona’s family with my regrets?”
Rue’s eyes widened. “Milady, pardon my forwardness, but I’m not sure if—”
“Just offer it,” I said. “And if they refuse, then I’ll find a different way to help them. But I have to do something, if Ulfric is willing to stoop to such levels.” Rona was the one who had attacked me—but now her whole family was suffering. Not just the loss of a daughter, but the loss of a dream.
“Of course,” Rue said. “Right away.”
She hurried out the door. As I’d rummaged through my trunk, I’d uncovered Barion’s knife. I wrapped my hand around the hilt and pressed my lips together. It was a good blade. At the time I’d thought him a bit paranoid, but now I understood that I did need to remain armed. It seemed everywhere I turned, someone in this court was trying to harm me from the shadows. It made me feel better to have the knife in my hand.
With a sigh, I nearly collapsed into the seat at the table. I’d barely had a sip of my coffee and I was starving. Amity and Rue busied themselves cleaning up the bathroom, gathering the dirty linens and towels. They were headed back to the laundry room—and, Rue had said, they’d take care of the cloak I’d walked in with. It reeked, but I did want it back once it was clean. I purposefully did not investigate that desire too deeply.
By the time I’d eaten and dressed and tucked my weapon carefully into the waistband of my skirt, it was well beyond breakfast time. I made my way to the solarium, where Amity had informed me Fina and Adora were having a mid-morning tea. As soon as I walked in, Fina jumped to her feet and pulled me into a hard hug. The urgency of the motion surprised me, and I smiled as I returned it. Then she pulled back and placed both hands on my shoulders, concern creasing her brow.
“Are you okay?” she asked immediately. “What happened last night?”
Adora stirred her tea, watching me with similar concern. “Your wolf looked upset when you came out of the room. What did the council say to you?”
I sighed. I must’ve looked just as exhausted as I felt, because Fina set her hand at my mid back and guided me to the table. I joined them, and Adora poured me a cup of sweet-smelling green tea.
“I didn’t intend to shift,” I admitted.
