Page 41 of Silver & Smoke
‘It wasn’t so bad.’ Dessa laughed. ‘He was unconscious, after all.’
Wren stared at her. ‘What?’
Dessa simply shrugged. ‘I thought it was high time I took a leaf out of your book, so to speak. I didn’t have a teapot on hand, but you can drug a bottle of wine just as easily... I used the pollen of a vale lotus.’
‘The water lily?’ Wren blinked.
Dessa nodded keenly. ‘Master Norlander told us about it. It dissolves completely, and any lingering herbal aroma can be mistaken for an expensive vintage’s complexity. It works gradually, so it’s perfect for adding to liquor, as it simply amplifies the effects of increasing drowsiness as the subject drinks more... Eventually, they succumb to sleep like the rest of the drunks around them.’
A hoarse sound escaped Wren. Laughter of her own. ‘Dessa...’ she wheezed. ‘You’re mad.’
‘I learned from the best,’ Dessa replied with a grin. ‘Besides, we’re about to board a ship with very close quarters... Thought you might need—’
‘Alright, I see your point,’ Wren said quickly, deciding to change tack. ‘How did your work go while we were gone?’
Dessa sighed. ‘I drew the same conclusions as you. The poison is complex, a mixture of alchemy and shadow magic, just like what Silas used on Queen Reyna. But it’s reacting differently on Torj. Likely because he’s not only a Warsword, but the sovereign magic inside him isyours. We know from our experiments with Thea in the gardens that yours is different, but you managed to test the original cure on yourself and it worked... so there’s hope.’
‘I did. But I don’t have Furies-given Warsword power, do I?’ Wren replied. ‘There are too many unknown variables within Torj’s power. It’s why I need the information from Lucian... but if he doesn’t hold up his end of the bargain, I’ll find another way. I’llget the silvertide roses from Delmira and cure him myself, one way or another.’
‘You have the talent, and you have Zavier and me, however we can help,’ Dessa told her. ‘Do you think it’s releasing faster than expected? Has Torj talked to you about an increase in symptoms?’
‘He hasn’t talked about it... but I’ve seen it for myself. Tremors, muscle spasms...’
‘You’re the poison expert,’ Dessa said gently. ‘Is that one of the earlier or later stages of exposure?’
‘Later.’ Wren caught her bottom lip between her teeth as her mind churned through every scenario she could think of. Was it possible that Torj hadn’t been honest with her? That his symptoms were far more advanced than he’d admitted?
‘I had Thea send those letters to the rosarians... Did you receive any response at Drevenor?’ she asked.
Dessa shook her head.
‘Shit... I listed Drevenor’s rookery as the point of contact,’ Wren muttered, cursing herself as she dropped her head in her hands, despair thick in her throat. She blinked back her tears and tried to compose herself.
Dessa spoke again, sadness lacing her voice this time. ‘You don’t have to pretend with me. I thought you knew that by now.’
‘I—’
‘I know I’ll never be the other friends you had. I’m not trying to replace them, not ever. But I want you to know: I can handle this. Whatever tormented thoughts you have, I have them too. And in my experience, they hold a lot less power over you when they’re shared.’
‘I know, Dess,’ Wren replied, offering a tired but genuine smile this time. ‘I appreciate you and everything you do for me.’
‘The feeling is mutual,’ Dessa said. ‘Now, we need to get moving. The others are already making their way to the docks.’
‘We have a problem,’ Kipp said as they prepared to boardThe Furies’ Willto travel to the mainland of the midrealms.
‘I can’t say I’m all that fond of those words,’ Wren replied, folding her arms over her chest as she waited for the bad tidings.
‘Lord Briar has been asking questions about you,’ Kipp ventured. ‘Specifically regarding what you did in the years after the shadow war, and why no one really heard from you.’
‘Why would he be asking about that now?’
‘My guess?’ Kipp took a sip from his flask while the bannermen guided the horses into the hold. ‘That someone tipped him off. Someone who wanted to put the pressure on you to... remain compliant.’
‘Lucian,’ Wren breathed. ‘But wouldn’t that reflect badly on him if it came to light?’
‘He’d feign ignorance, as all good politicians do,’ Kipp replied.
‘How long?’ Wren asked, toying with one of the vials in her belt. ‘How long do you think we have until the truth is out?’
