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Quint looks back at me squarely and folds his arms. “I said you’ve never spoken a word of treason in my presence. That you’ve been loyal to the kingdom in every action I’ve seen you take.”
I inhale what feels like the first deep breath in hours. I press my hands together in front of my face and try not to rattle myself apart.
Quint risks his neck by keeping my secrets. He always has, but I’ve had contingency plans for my morning activities. I’ve never been directly accused by my brother. I’ve never been suspected by any of the consuls.
Now . . . ?now the risk is very real.
“Leave,” I say to him, and my voice is not unkind. “I will not speak to you except in public, and only for official business. I will not—”
“Corrick.” He unfolds his arms and moves to the side table to pour a glass of brandy for himself. “Honestly. I know the risks I take.”
“I’ll take your involvement to my grave, Quint,” I say.
“Well,” says Quint. He drains the glass, which is very unusual for him. “Let’s hope that’s more than a day away.”
“You trust me, then?”
“I’ve always trusted you.” He hesitates, then glances at the door, and his voice grows very quiet. “If you were assisting these smugglers, I know you would have a reason.” He pauses. “I thought perhaps you no longer trusted me.”
“I tell you everything.” My voice grows rough. Some days he feels like my only friend here, the only person who’s ever known all sides. “Everything.”
He pours another glass, and I think he’s going to toss it back as quickly as the first, but instead he holds it out to me. “Then I ask forgiveness for doubting you.”
“You’re probably the only person in the palace who doesn’t need to ask forgiveness for anything.”
He laughs at that. “That’s hardly true.” He pauses and loses the smile. “We’ll have to be careful,” he says. “Tensions are high right now.”
We. We’ll have to be careful. It’s more than I deserve. I drain the glass he gave me.
“I have a plan,” I say huskily.
“Of course you do.”
I hear the tension in his voice, and it makes me hesitate. “Do you want out, Quint?” I pause. “You don’t need to risk your neck for me.”
“It’s not just for you, Corrick.” His eyes hold mine. “Tell me your plan.”
I tell him about Tessa’s suggestion, that we go into the Wilds as outlaws again to see if people will talk about what’s going on and who’s behind the attacks.
When I’m done, Quint strokes at his jaw, thinking. “You’ll have to convince people that you were being held captive in the Hold, and you escaped during the explosions. That will explain your absence.” He pauses. “You can slip out the window as usual, but Tessa’s rooms are along the side wall, and she’ll be visible.”
I can’t invite her here either, because my brother’s guards would definitely report it.
“I’ll see if I can distract the guards for a moment,” says Quint. “Is she as quick and sure-footed as you said?”
My heart pounds. “Yes.”
He pulls his pocket watch free. “Be ready at midnight. I’ll make sure she has a mask.”
