Page 161 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

When the familiar shape broke through the darkness, Lessia forced her eyes not to linger on the warm light pouring out of the windows, on the door where she’d laughed when she’d walked through it the first time, or on the balcony where the children always tried to sneak out—until they realized the drop was hundreds of feet down into the wild sea.

They’d have to leave it behind.

She stiffened her spine.

They’d all be together again.

She’d make sure of it.

And that was the most important thing.

As Amalise opened the creaking door, Lessia lifted her eyes to the sky, praying that the plan she’d started formulating would work.

“What do you need?” Amalise eyed her as she lingered inside the door, nervously twisting a blonde tress.

Lessia drew a deep breath. “I need to speak to you and Kalia.”

Nodding, Amalise turned toward the hidden door.

Lessia thought of following her but decided to mount the stairs instead.

Making her way to the bedroom she’d slept in the past five years, she continued breathing in and out, trying to calm the apprehension that rolled in the pit of her stomach.

As she opened the door, the smell of soap and firewood filled her nose, and she stared at the fire burning bright in her fireplace.

Sitting down on the bed, she splayed her fingers over the soft blanket, remembering how proud Kalia had been when she gifted it to her.

It wasn’t the most beautiful blanket, but Kalia had paid for the fabric on her own and then convinced one of the seamstresses in town to show her how to make it.

Lessia braced herself as more memories of those early days flashed in her mind, and she realized she’d experienced true happiness here.

They’d have that again, she promised herself.

All of them.

“Lessia?”

Kalia’s voice wavered slightly as she walked into the room, her eyes filling with confusion at the emotions she must have picked up from her.

Lessia waved for her and Amalise to come into the room, patting the bed beside her. When they’d made themselves comfortable—Amalise taking a corner and tucking her legs beneath herself, with Kalia squeezing in as close to Lessia as she could—she cleared her throat. “Kalia, I’m going to need you to be strong for me.”

Kalia’s chin quivered, but she nodded.

“We need to leave. I know of a place where you and the children will be safe, but Amalise and I cannot follow you there. Not yet.”

A soft whimper escaped Amalise, but when Lessia glanced at her, she nodded, reaching out a hand to grip Lessia’s.

“I promise we’ll come for you when the time is right, but I need you to get the children there as fast as you can. Amalise will transfer the ownership of the taverns and gambling rooms to you, and you can use the money from them to ensure you have everything you need. I’m hoping I will be able to convince someone to accompany you, but if not, I will draw you a map.”

She squeezed Amalise’s hand. “Amalise, I need you to get horses tomorrow, when everyone will be busy voting. You can use the emergency funds in my safe. There is only enough to ride two and two, but there will be some left over to ensure you can pay for food and anything else you might need.”

Kalia stared straight ahead when Lessia turned toward her, and she softened her voice. “Kalia, look at me.”

Her half-Fae friend turned to her, her eyes glossy.

“You are stronger than you think.” Lessia smiled at her. “You’re ready for this. And where you’re going isn’t bad. The people there are kind. When you get there, ask for Geyia and tell her Lessia owes her a favor if she lets you stay.”

“But what about you two? And Ardow?” Kalia’s lip trembled.

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