His gaze narrowed. “Galen?”
“Talia.”
He nodded. “Ah, of course.”
“Don’t get mad at her. I made her tell me.”
“Yes, I’m sure you threatened her with bodily violence, Fox.”
“Much cruelty,” I agreed.
He lifted a shoulder. “It’s the truth. There’s no point in being angry about the truth.”
“Wait,” I said. “How have you been paying your troops? The Lady to let me stay here?”
“I have my own funds, and I’ve sold objects here and there to ensure that debts are paid.”
I surveyed the room again, thought of what it meant. “So the Emperor Eternal sends you here to get rid of you or to make you stronger. How does he expect you to live? To pay your staff?”
“He didn’t know about the state of things. I’ve sent a message, and I expect he’ll tell me to handle it. That’s how I’m to grow as a prince and leader.”
I glanced back at him. “Would you like me to fill it up again?”
His laughter filled the space and had me smiling. “It takes a special thief to offer to steal treasure to fill a prince’s coffers.”
“I prefer ‘righteous thief.’ If not to fill it up, why did you bring me here?”
“Because I want you to know the truth of me, Fox. And I think you’re finally able to understand it—I’m a Lys’Careth by name. But that only goes so far, for good or ill.”
Twenty-four
Ileft him to his work and went back to the library. It took hours to find a few more ledgers, and most weren’t helpful. As expected of a very suspicious man, details were sparse. I didn’t find a description of what the “defense” was, or if they’d succeeded in creating one. All references to the curate, the monks, the defenses disappeared when the Aetheric god disappeared. The prince had been right about that.
I walked back to my room through shadowed hallways, and nibbled from my dinner tray while staring out the window. The grounds were now empty of Anima; the Aether that had flowed in yesterday had dissipated. At least the rain had finally stopped. Maybe some fresh air would do me good.
I made my way to the back courtyard, where flames rose from a round central hearth. I passed it and took the wide stone stairs down to the lawn below. Instead of the path that led to the boardwalk, I took the one that led toward the fields and river.
A single moon was visible now, a rounded sliver stuck in the sky, like the whittled edge of a coin. I passed a servant lightingthe torches that lined the path in case the prince favored a nighttime stroll. But I was otherwise alone outside the palace of the Western Gate. Alone and unsettled.
I followed the path around curves and over hills, hoping to find peace. Instead, a dark shape stepped into the pathway in front of me, and I nearly screamed.
“Hello, Little Fox.”
It was the damned prince.
“Fuck the moons,” I said, heart beating like a drum against my chest. “You shouldn’t jump out at people.”
“I didn’t jump, and it’s my palace.” He tilted his head. “What are you doing out here?”
“I needed air. What are you doing out here?”
“I didn’t want to sit in my room. And I wanted to look at the stars.” He pulled off his coat, this version seemingly built for easier removal than the one he’d worn in the carriage; placed it on the ground; and pointed at it. He apparently meant for me to sit on it.
“So Galen can blame me when you get grass stains? No, thank you.”
“He’s not acquainted with the state of my clothing, Fox.”
“Jacket back on,” I said. “If you catch a fever, he’ll blame me for that, too.”
