Page 63 of Poisoned Kingdom
It was more than I should have said, but I didn’t feel like it betrayed Irsha’s trust. My heart had broken for him every time he’d been pushed aside thanks to women misunderstanding his intentions.
‘That explains so many things . . .’ Lily said with a small smile, and I wondered whether there was more to her cryptic statement.
True to my word, as soon as we were back, I changed into some practical clothing, then sent Lily’s errand boy to shops around the city. I didn’t have the time, money, or a workshop to create anything elaborate for my planned heist, so I just made a few simple potions and powders that would increase my chances of escape from the Chapter House should something go wrong.
The youngster returned with everything I had asked for, as well as some interesting gossip from the market square.
‘It looks like Jagon’s going to make his grand move, thinking I’m stuck in the palace dungeons. The Mabon feast this year is going to be epic,’ I said to Lily, who had entered my room and instantly started fanning herself. ‘Oh, sorry about the fumes.’
‘Sana, if I knew you were going to turn your room into a poisoner’s workshop, I would’ve locked you in the basement,’ she said, coughing into her sleeve. ‘I came to tell you a friend in the palace has informed me that your dwarf will be released sooner rather than later because, to quote her, “even the truthseeker thinks he’s a belligerent bastard.”’
I burst out laughing, spilling a few drops of my potion on the table. The wood blackened instantly, and my eyebrows shot up at the effect.
‘Was that supposed to happen?’ Lily asked, and I shook my head.
‘No, but since the arch healer told me I had some rare type of ability, I thought I’d experiment a little. I was trying to make it stronger by manipulating the aether. It was supposed to be a skin irritant for your girls to use to deal with unwanted admirers, but I think it’s a little too strong for that.’
‘Teaching them a lesson probably shouldn’t end with burning their prick off.’ Lily chuckled as we both observed the fizzling until it stopped.
‘It was just a little clover oil; it shouldn’t fizzle,’ I said, trying to remember what I had done with the energy contained within the fluid.
Lily bent over the table and inhaled before looking at me with a broad smile. ‘It smells divine. If it can somehow be stored, I can ask the artisans to create something to fragrance a room with it. The men will love it—especially those who like to play with their swords.’
‘Why sword . . .’ I frowned because it made little sense. ‘Ohh.’ I understood when she wriggled her pinkies and crossed them.
‘So, Mabon’s feast. What do you want to do?’ she asked after we stopped laughing, and I realised she must have heard the gossip.
I pulled out the letter she had given me earlier, showing her the broken seal. Despite the cracks, a wax crow figure was still visible, marking it as an official invitation from the grand master.
‘I have a free pass to make my grand entrance,’ I said. ‘I intend to make it so spectacular that no one will dare think I ignored Boyan or came for his position by using my status as his former shadow.’
‘Now that, I can help with!’ Lily smiled before gesturing to my little workshop. ‘Finish whatever you’re doing and come downstairs. We’ll need to take your measurements. If the Deadly Nightshade is returning home, we must make her entrance one they’ll never forget.’
‘Are you sure I’ll survive your ladies dolling me up? And please remember, I need something functional. Things could get ugly in there, so I need to be able to fight.’
She just smirked before leaving the room, and a mild feeling of panic settled in. Now that Lily was involved, I’d better get ready for fireworks . . . and expenses.
Chapter 23
Roksana
‘Sana, may I come in?’ Irsha’s voice came through the door—polite, but uncertain.
I quickly opened it, but he didn’t step inside.
His eyes scanned me, sharp with suspicion. ‘Why do you look like a dark sister of the Blades? You have an invitation. Why the masquerade?’
‘Because I need to sneak into the Chapter House before I officially proclaim my return,’ I said, pulling him into my room before walking back to the table and attaching an alchemist belt to my skirt.
‘I couldn’t find anything in Jagon’s workshop. The place was so neat, I was afraid to touch anything . . . I don’t even knowwhat was in half the bottles. I tried bribing his apprentice, but the poor sod feared his master too much to take my money,’ he said, sitting heavily on a chair. ‘Though I’m guessing you knew that would happen.’
I smiled at his reflection in the mirror. ‘Stop looking like a beaten puppy. I know you did your best, but some things can only be spotted if you know what you’re looking for. Tell me if anything’s changed in the Chapter House, or can I safely assume Jagon’s workshop is still on the first floor?’
Irsha groaned, closing his eyes for a moment. ‘So you’ve lost the last of your marbles. If Jagon catches you sneaking in and stealing his stuff, he’ll use it against Boyan, and the old man’s already hanging onto his position by a thread.’
‘I have to do this. I’m going to bow to Boyan and disclose my involvement with the mages. You know that will cause Jagon to lose his shit and take it as a declaration of war so I need to ensure Lily’s safety,’ I said, wrapping my braid around my head in a peasant crown before pulling up my hood. ‘Can you create a little distraction so I can slip in?’
‘No,’ he said, and I turned towards him, frowning as he adjusted my hood. ‘I’ll get you in, but if you get into trouble, you withdraw. I don’t want to lose my friend because she’s too stubborn to retreat. As for Lily’s safety, leave it to me.’
