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But I couldn’t fix his pain with more pain. Nor mine with his. “I’m sure you’ll find someone who understands him well enough,” I said.

I went to leave, but he stepped into my path. “That’s the thing. I think I have found someone.”

Della made a low approving sound in my ear. Curling my hands into fists, I said, “Then I wish you luck.”

“No, you misunderstand me. I think—” He stopped, then started again. “Adrien came to find you. He’s never sought out anyone. Most times, he’s trying to escape them.”

His words pinned me in place.

“I realize this is an unconventional offer. Highly unconventional. Severin would likely say unconscionable.” His eyes met mine. “But I’m prepared to be unconscionable.”

I held very still, unable to fully breathe, and that burning sensation returned to my lungs.

“I’m offering you a position. With me. Or rather, with my household,” he said, correcting himself. “As Adrien’s blood nanny, you’d watch over him and serve as his sanguine partner until he comes of age.”

I blinked. Too stunned for words.

“You would have your own room at Château du Mer,” he continued, as if sweetening the deal.

“A castle!” Della said, clicking her beak.

Yves smiled at my bird. “Yes, that’s right. All your expenses would be covered. And you’d receive a salary that I think both you and Della would find more than reasonable.”

I was one of the Wicked Kemp Witches. Not a noble lady. “You can’t be serious, Your Grace.”

His deep green eyes held mine. Not a drop of humor to be found. “I am, in fact, very serious.” He wetted his lower lip. “Embarrassingly so.”

The piece of wavy hair that had fallen into his face was still there. He still hadn’t pushed it back.

“You hardly know me,” I said. “In fact, you don’t even know my name.”

“And yet I’m still offering you the position.” He wetted his lower lip again, and I found myself unable to stop staring at his mouth. At the soft curve of his lips. “Please,” he said. “I need you.”

Me? He needed me? The man had more money and resources than anyone in Valemer. How could he be desperate for my help? I was nobody. I wanted to be nobody.

Even still, thoughts of Adrien’s conspiratorial grin flashed in my mind. It would be fun to spend afternoons with him, playing pranks on his father. Ones that didn’t involve him sneaking out alone.

The job would provide a comfortable life.

I clenched my jaw, forcing the unhelpful thought away. I thought I’d had a comfortable life until it had been ripped away from me.

Della was glaring at me, daring me to turn him down. I’d told her that if there were any other way to make the money we needed besides selling a relic, I would take it. And here was that opportunity. As good an offer as it was, it felt more dangerous than sleeping rough.

Looking back at the Duke, I said, “I’m sorry, Your Grace, but I cannot accept the position.”

Even as I said the words, I couldn’t escape the intensity of Yves’s gaze. It was surely a look many women had fallen for, with his long dark lashes framing eyes laced with sadness. But I was not a woman looking for a place to call home. I was driftwood. Hollow. A shell of who I once was. And I wasn’t going to let anyone break what little was left of me.

So I stood tall, lifting my chin an inch as if to prove that I was immovable. Della nipped at my earlobe in frustration, and I shoved her beak away. She merely fluttered to my other shoulder.

Sensing defeat, Yves nodded. “In case you reconsider, please, take this.” He reached into his breast pocket and withdrew a small gold coin. Without asking, he took my hand and placed the coin in the center of my palm. Then, with a painful carefulness, he folded my fingers around it one at a time. As if to ensure I wouldn’t drop it.

His hand stayed wrapped around mine for long enough that I became acutely aware of how easily he could hold me right here.

As if he could give me a heading. A destination. A place to wash ashore and stay. With him, and Adrien, and their library of books.

I stared at the place where our hands were joined. My heart beating hard and fast. I told myself to yank my hand away, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. When I lifted my gaze to his, I found he was already looking at me.

“If you hold it like this,” he said, squeezing my fingers around the coin, “and say my name…” His voice dropped so low, I had to lean in to hear him. “I will find you. No matter where you are.”