Page 32 of A Fable of Riddles and Redemption

Biting her lip as she considered, Zorina said, “She seems bewildered, as if she has no memory of what happened to her.”

“Perhaps she’s drunk?”

Zorina shook her head again. “No, I would have smelled it on her breath if she were.”

Herrick pressed his lips together as he assessed the situation. After trying to get a response from Carlotta to no avail, he straightened his posture as he seemed to come to a decision. “In any case, we need to get her somewhere safe. With the uproar her disappearance caused, the best place to take her is the castle. Duke Armand and Captain Firmin will want to know she’s returned—and attempt to speak to her themselves.”

Zorina gave a slow nod. “Then let’s go.”

A dubious expression lit his face. “Are you sure? I thought you did not want attention.”

She sighed. “I don’t. But they’ll want to question the person who found her anyway, and it’s better if I come along now than if they have to seek me out later.”

Herrick laughed at that. “True.”

He then moved to Carlotta’s other side, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Zorina tried to ignore the way his hand brushed against her shoulder as they led the singer toward Adael Castle.

They walked in silence, though onlookers cast curious glances their way. Some gasped at the sight, clearly recognizing Carlotta as they passed. Whispers followed in their wake.

Great. All of Adael will know of Carlotta’s return before daybreak…and about how I found her.

The unwanted attention that knowledge would bring caused her nerves to writhe in her stomach. But at the same time, she couldn’t regret aiding the apparently helpless woman beside her.

She glanced over at the singer, not seeing any of the spark she would have expected based on what she’d heard about her. No, this woman seemed but a shell of the diva she was purported to be. Zorina couldn’t help but wonder why. What exactly had happened to Carlotta, and why was she so unresponsive?

At last, they reached the castle, Zorina’s thoughts whirling with questions as they were swiftly brought into a parlor to meet with the duke and the captain of the guard. She’d paid little heed to the process of Herrick explaining the situation to his fellow guards with how preoccupied her mind was.

Before she knew it, she was seated on a settee beside Carlotta, with Herrick sitting on the singer’s other side. Servants brought in tea and treats, though Zorina was not sure if she could stomach anything. Normally, she would be eating dinner at this hour, but while the pastries smelled decadent and the tea soothing, her nerves wouldn’t settle, despite how hungry she was.

Zorina looked up in time to see Herrick eyeing both her and Carlotta with concern. He then poured a cup of tea for the singer and handed her a plate with a couple of dainty pastries on it. Carlotta accepted the offerings without a word. Then, he did the same for Zorina.

“Thank you,” she whispered before taking a sip. Though it was a calming blend, the flavor was a bit too bitter for her preferences. She added copious amounts of cream and sugar, stirring it until it was palatable at last.

Herrick smirked at her. “So you have a sweet tooth, do you?”

She shrugged, seeing no point in arguing the point further. “Yes. So?”

“Nothing. Just not what I expected from you.”

Zorina frowned as she looked up at him. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Uh, nothing,” he answered a little too quickly with a sheepish grin.

She scowled at him as she realized his implication that she herself was not so sweet. “As if you’re any better yourself.”

Herrick grimaced at that, likely recognizing that she was right. “Fair enough.”

Thankfully, before they could argue further, Duke Armand and Captain Firmin entered the room. Both newcomers’ eyes instantly zoned in on Carlotta.

“My dear lady,” Duke Armand began with a smile, exuding charm with every word. “We are beyond grateful that you are safe and have returned.”

Carlotta merely stared at him, seemingly unaware of anything other than the tea she sipped.

For about half an hour, both Duke Armand and Captain Firmin tried to ask the singer about where she’d been and what had happened to her, but Carlotta simply sat there in a dazed silence. It was unbearably awkward. Zorina wanted to step in and say something, but she didn’t feel like she had any right to do so, nor did she want their attention focused on her instead.

A soft knock sounded on the door before Madame Giry entered the room. Her presence was a welcome reprieve, and Zorina fought to keep her expression blank from the sudden relief that washed over her.

“Your Grace, Captain,” Madame Giry said, “Shall I show our guests to their rooms?”