Malory’s expression didn’t shift. “What nature of proof?”
Reagan began telling her about the dreadful divination that would haunt his nightmares. Laerune Xanthos would confirm that his thread had been meddled with, through time weaving, as the entity had revealed. She would swear it upon theFirst Grimoireif need be. Combined with Jane’s confirmation that it had been Giddeon Madden in the cabin, it was as much proof as they were likely to get.
If Malory was concerned about the validity of Jane staying in their territory, he would remind the judge that Jane hadbeen able to enter in the first place. Her access might not have manifested yet, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t.
She belonged here.
The magister didn’t argue.
Reagan ran his tongue over the outside of his teeth. “Imagine our surprise when we discovered Madden is a recognised time weaver.”
“Indeed, he is. But why would he conspire against you?”
“His agenda would benefit from having Varian ruling Mountheim instead of me,” Reagan explained. “I believe he will try other ways to remove me.”
“Then I wondered why Ms Xanthos and Miss Darling are not here to swear to theFirst Grimoire. I sense you are building toward a proposal.”
Despite his exhaustion, Reagan found a spark of humour buried in his bones. “I am. Instead of Xanthos and Jane swearing an oath and us letting justice give Madden a gentle scolding—”
“I suggest,” Malory cut in, her tone tense with warning, “you choose your words carefully.”
Reagan should heed her warning. Still, he found it difficult to restrain the barbed jokes that rose to his tongue. He carried a mound of resentment for how mage folk laws had nearly denied him justice.
“Of course,” he said. “I want to use this transgression for something bigger than detaining only him.”
Malory waited.
“I want to take the Scion Order apart,” Reagan said, his tone resolute. “Their plans go against everything we believe in. All the tenets of peace and fairness. I want their transgressions against humans and the hybrid-born exposed. Getting proof of a single transgression was difficult enoughfor me. And I have resources. I have help. How impossible must it be for the Foleyfamily? Bringing down the Order is the only justice I can try to offer them for their daughter’s death, since we never found the culprit. So forgive me if I refuse to pretend that our own justice is flawless.”
“Nothing is flawless. Not even magisters,” Malory murmured, a contemplative note entering her gaze.
“In my experience,” Malory went on, “rulers before you have fought or overlooked this cause depending on whether it offered something for their personal gain. Is it just justice for the girl’s family that you want, or are you seeking to avenge yourself?”
Reagan considered her question. Mountheim had always opposed the Order. His parents had openly advocated for the protection of the hybrid-born, even before taking Gwin in. But Malory wantedhismotive.
He could say it was a righteous search for justice after they almost damned him to a life cursed. Or perhaps, and most likely, it was because of Jane and Gwin.
“To protect my people,” he said. “Because I refuse to find another Clodagh Foley hanging in my gate.”
He could still do something worthwhile. Perhaps he could achieve one decent thing, since even trained with all his power, he had still failed to protect the most important people in his life.
Malory observed him for far too long, the eyes behind the spectacles nearly piercing through him. She finally spoke.
“Sit and tell me how you plan to do it.”
Chapter 43
Jane
The sky outside the study’s window had long gone black, and still Reagan was dressed in his black velvet jacket, rifling through papers. He spun as I stepped in, closing the door behind me. Lines formed on his forehead when he found me there, stilling for the span of a second.
I kept to the door, blocking his exit. He set the papers down.
“What can I do for you?” Reagan asked carelessly, as though I were a stranger.
“Please don’t do this,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady even if I begged and my heart pounded. “Please.”
Reagan shook his head and exhaled. “I didn’t go to court to speak about your father tonight.”
