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I’ve been in this room and gone through documents just like this many times. I’ve seen the same glimmer of hope that shines in her eyes die in a dozen others. I could call for the physicians and advisers to join us right this minute, and I’d watch it again.
Ithink of the way Harristan read every single request for leniency on the day we were to execute the eight prisoners, or the way he sent me all of these documents and granted Tessa an audience with the royal apothecaries. I’ve been thinking he was indulging me for keeping her here, but maybe it’s something else.
“Harristan doesn’t think it’s hopeless,” I say.
Her eyes lift. “How do you know that?”
“Because you’re here.”
She bites at her lip, considering that—but then she sets down the papers and rubs at her eyes. “Well. Like you said, I don’t think the answer is in these documents.”
“Very well.” After the way she clutched at her chair, I didn’t expect her to give up so easily. I’m surprised that I don’t want her to give up so easily. “I’ll see you to your quarters.”
“Oh, I’m not done.” She taps the table decisively. “I need to see a map.”
Sleepy servants bring half a dozen maps, as well as a tray of black tea and warm muffins, with pots of honey, milk, jam, and sliced berries arranged around a small pot of pink and lavender blooms. They set cups and saucers in front of us both, but Tessa ignores everything in favor of the first map. It unfurls across the next table, and she slides her fingers along the edge, surveying it.
“Tell me your thoughts,” I say.
“Maybe it’s not the weather in Sunkeep that makes a difference. They have the greatest exposure to the ocean.” She points to the southernmost sector, running her finger along the lengthy border. “Which makes me wonder if there is something about the ocean that has some kind of . . . ?preventive effect.”
“Emberridge, Artis, and Steel City also border the ocean,” I say.
She makes a face. “Well, yes.” She points to the eastern border, running her finger along the edge. “But these are cliffs along the oceanside of Emberridge and Artis, right? So they don’t have as much access to the water.”
“That’s true.” I pause, surveying the map. “But Steel City and Artis share a port where the Queen’s River joins with the ocean.” I point to it. “And the Queen’s River runs straight through both Emberridge and Artis.” I point to the western side of Kandala. “Here, the Flaming River runs alongside Moonlight Plains and the Sorrowlands and also joins with the ocean. Nearly every sector has direct access to free-flowing water.”
She looks at me. “Except the Royal Sector.”
“To prevent an attack by sea—but the Royal Sector is just as affected by the fevers, despite our water sources.” Unbidden, my thoughts turn to Harristan. I’ve hardly seen him today, so I have no idea if his cough has returned. A small spike of fear enters my heart and lodges there.
He was fine when he came to my chambers. He must be fine now.
One servant has lingered, fastidiously wiping a drip of tea from the silver platter. Hoping to catch an earful of gossip, no doubt. “Leave us,” I snap.
He jumps, then offers a quick bow and leaves.
I look back at Tessa. “Continue.”
Her eyes are dark with reproach. “You don’t have to be so cruel.”
I drop into a chair. Worry for my brother has caused my mood to sour. “I didn’t kill you and Allisander threatened to stop shipments of the Moonflower, so I beg to differ.”
Sheglares at me.
I glare right back. “Continue.”
She looks at the map, then back at me. The censure hasn’t left her eyes.
“I bring nightmares to life,” I say. “If you think a dark look will affect me, you will quickly learn otherwise.”
She hesitates, then sighs. “Perhaps there is something different about the sea life, then.”
It takes me a moment to realize she’s talking about Sunkeep again.
“Mistress Solomon uses ground seashells in one of her fever lotions,” Tessa continues. “It’s ridiculously expensive because the shells have to travel so far, but it is one of her few concoctions that actually seems to make a difference. I always thought it might be the white willow bark, but maybe—”
“Wait.” I sit straight up. “Something other than the Moonflower can cure the fevers?”
