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Seduced me to gain an audience with Kipp. I’ve considered as such, and even if I do not truly believe it, I’m practical enough to recognize there might be some truth to Kipp’s words.

“He could not have known. I only admitted to knowing your secret after he revealed his true purpose.”

Kipp is not convinced.

“Did he know we were friends?”

I think back. “Not at first.”

“But when he learned of it?”

In truth, I cannot guess at Vanni’s true intentions. I don’t know the man that well. But I do know one thing. “He desired me from the start.” I add in a small voice, “And I him.”

Before Kipp can answer, I tell him about the incident with Father Beald. Angry again, but this time for a very different reason, Kipp clearly wishes to pick up where Vanni left off. Though he might actually do the man harm, if his expression is any indication.

“He’s banished him, of sorts,” I quickly explain, and there’s a slight softening in Kipp. Very slight.

“So he used his influence to help you. Still, I suspect his motivations.”

“Ugh.” He can be so maddening. So very stubborn.

“Come, eat with us. ’Tis enough talk of Galfrid’s man.”

I try to argue, but he tugs my hand as a brother would.

“Will you see him?”

Kipp doesn’t answer but fairly pulls me from the solar instead.

Maddening.

The whole lot of them.