The Thief's Daughter (Kingfountain #2)

Bothwell was secretly removed from Iago’s palace and confined to a cell in the hold of Evie’s ship. It was Owen’s intention to bring him back to Ceredigion with them and then challenge Mancini for further information about the Espion master’s true loyalties. The man’s news had rattled Owen, and the threat to King Severn made him anxious to fulfill their mission in Atabyrion and return home.

Owen and Etayne had both heard of Tyrell before, but in different contexts. Owen remembered his name in connection with the murder of Severn’s nephews, while Etayne knew quite a bit of secondhand information about him from her time in Pisan. He was at least Severn’s age, he had a reputation for hired murder, a handsome face, and a small gap between his front teeth. With any luck, it would help them find him.

After capturing Bothwell, Owen and Etayne filled the others in on the particulars of the plot. It was decided that Clark would return immediately to Kingfountain to warn the king and begin the hunt for Tyrell. Owen, Evie, and Etayne would remain behind to finish the tasks assigned to them as quickly as they could.

Etayne made more broth for Owen, who felt his strength and health returning. But his connection with Fountain magic was still not available to him. He needed to find some books to read, play Wizr, or do something else to fill his reserves, but those things required time—of which he had very little.

To focus his thoughts, he took a quick walk around the royal manor, stretching his legs and loosening the knots in his shoulders. His mind was preoccupied with the many threats bearing down on them, and as he wandered the grounds, he tried to piece together a strategy. In the past, it had always been easy for him to quickly get to the heart of a problem. Having been drained of his magic, he could hardly remember all the details of the Occitanians’ murky plot, let alone create a plan of action.

About midday, a servant came and told him that Lady Mortimer wished to see him. He quickly complied and made his way to her room. His own body felt like a stranger to him.

As he entered the room, he saw Clark conferring with Etayne in the back corner while Justine was up and about, fussing over Evie’s dress. Her recovery had been complete and dramatic. When she saw him, her cheeks flushed and she whispered into Evie’s ear, who immediately turned and looked at him.

“My lady?” he said formally.

Evie beamed at him. “Justine is too shy to say it, so I will do so in her place. Owen, she knows she died yesterday, and she’s aware that you summoned her back to life.”

Owen looked at Justine in surprise; the girl’s flush increased and she nodded emphatically.

“I don’t see why you can’t tell him yourself,” Evie said with a hint of exasperation. “It’s not as if you two have never spoken before.”

“This is different, my lady,” Justine said meekly. She seemed completely in awe of Owen now.

“I did what I could do, Justine.” Owen saw she was growing uncomfortable, and he was beginning to feel that way himself, so he decided to change the topic. “Clark, when do you set sail?”

The Espion turned his gaze. “We will leave at high tide. There is a merchant ship leaving with timber that will give me a ride to one of our ships anchored off the coast. I hope to be back at Kingfountain by midnight. I was wondering if I should take Bothwell with me.”

Etayne shook her head. “You are too weak still. Better to leave him here with us. There may be more information I can wring from him. And Owen wishes to discuss certain matters relating to our prisoner with Mancini. Besides, even in a cage, he’s dangerous.”

Clark pursed his lips. “I still think I should take him. If he can help us identify where the poisoner is hiding, it would save us time in catching him.”

Owen could see the logic in both positions. Again, he keenly felt the lack of his magic. “I’d like to keep him close. I have no doubt he will try to escape. Etayne, I want you to find out where Eyric is staying. I think Bothwell mentioned earlier it was at one of the Huntley manors.”

“I could ask Iago,” Evie suggested.

Owen shook his head. “You weren’t even supposed to know about this part of the mission. Iago is cleverer than he looks. If he knew I was here, I’d find myself in a dungeon somewhere.”

“But shouldn’t we tell Iago something?” Evie pressed. “The Occitanians are undermining the very alliance they made with him. They’re counting on him to fail! Wouldn’t it help our cause if he knew that?”

“I see where you’re coming from,” Owen said. “Sharing the Occitanian plot would sour his opinion of Occitania, but it wouldn’t dissuade him from backing Eyric to topple Severn. You have seen how much Iago wants this war. I think it would do more harm to give him the impression that you were involved in our plot,” he said. “My hope is to persuade Eyric to join us. But if we can’t do that, we may have to resort to other measures.” He gave Etayne a knowing look.

“I’d best be on my way to the docks then,” Clark said, but he glanced furtively at Justine, who blushed furiously and looked down at the ground.

Evie noticed her friend’s reaction. “There was something I left down at the ship,” she said. “Justine, would you be a dear and walk down to fetch it for me? The blue gown with the silver trim. I’ve wanted to wear that one.”

Clark’s eyes looked hopeful. “I can escort her down to the docks, if you would like, my lady?”

Justine blinked with surprise, and a timid smile twitched on her mouth. “The blue damask one? I remember it. I would be happy to fetch it for you. If Lady Etayne will be your chaperone while I am away.”

Etayne gave a deep, formal curtsy, but there was a wry gleam in her eyes.

Clark extended his elbow and Justine took it. Giving Evie a look that beamed with gratitude, she left with her escort.

Once the door had shut behind them, Evie sighed. “They are both so quiet that they’ll likely walk the entire way in silence.” She looked wistful for a moment and then turned to Owen. “I can’t thank you enough for what you did for her,” she said, her eyes softening. They looked more blue than silver or green today. She took Owen’s hands in hers and squeezed them. “My heart nearly broke in half. And then you saved her. Thank you.”

Owen felt abashed. “I wasn’t sure what I was doing, and I’m far from certain I could do it again. But you’re welcome.”

Evie tugged on his hands. “You still have no connection to your magic? You look a bit forlorn today. Like a lost soul. Am I reading your countenance right?”

Owen nodded, feeling pain tighten in his chest. She read his moods so well, always had.