Page 68 of Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore
Books and Burglary
Pru waited for Violet at the edge of town, an empty satchel slung over her shoulder and a linen-covered wicker basket in her arms.
“You said you were running an errand,” she said with her Prudence-iest smile. “I thought I’d keep you company!”
But Violet’s nerves wound tight around her heart, kicking her pulse into high gear. She didnotwant company today. “Pru, you’ve done enough.”
“Please.” Her friend flapped a hand. “All I did was tell you a story, and that wasn’t helping, that was me confirming that you donotlisten to my performances at Market Day because I’m pretty sure I’ve told that one at least three or four times since you moved here, so really, you’re the one who owes me.”
“Maybe later?” Violet squeezed her eyes shut. “I’ll buy you a pint at the Claw & Hoard?”
“Nope,” said Pru immediately. “I feel useless, I need to help, it’s a personality flaw, deal with it. So what are you doing? More research about the blight? Planning for the festival so we can present it at the town meeting next week? Ooh, are we taking atrip to the library?” Pru clapped her hands. “I’m averygood research assistant.”
Violet tried one more time. “I’m sorry, Pru. You can’t come with me.”
“If you’re saying that because you’ve talked to the librarian, I can assure you my being banned was a big misunderstanding.”
“I’m not going to the Dragon’s Rest library,” Violet blurted. “I’m going to Shadowfade Castle.”
Now why had she gone and admitted that? She felt naked under Pru’s stare—she shouldn’t have said anything at all—but then Pru cocked her head and smiled a smile that Violet had never seen on her before.
“Iknewit!” She pointed a finger at Violet. “Breaking into the castle library wasmyidea, Violet! I knew you were trying to go without me!”
“It could be dangerous,” Violet warned.
“Ilovedanger! I eat danger for breakfast, right alongside my buttered toast.”
“I don’t want to draw attention to myself in case there are…other people there or…”
“So I should leave my violin at home, is what you’re saying.” Pru snorted. “Icanbe quiet, you know. Besides, I brought snacks!” She hefted her basket and showed Violet the collection of flaky fruit pastries beneath the linen. “Guy gave me some of his leftovers from this morning’s market. Rhubarb turnovers and raspberry and vanilla cream tarts!”
Violet could feel herself losing control of the situation. She wanted to get to the castle, poke around the library to see if she could find some information about Sedgwick or the Eye of the Serpent, maybe have a good cry in her old gardens to take the edge off her emotions. She certainly didn’t want to have to explain to Pru how she knew her way around or have to hide whatit meant to her to return to the place she’d called home most of her life.
But against her judgment, she could feel her resolve weaken when Pru’s mouth pulled into a pout. “It’s just, Nathaniel’s going to sequester himself in the greenhouse as soon as he closes for the evening, and I know he’s doing important work but I’mlonely, Violet!”
She chuckled, more than aware of Nathaniel’s singular focus. Her hands ached in response—she couldn’t say she had complaints about the new direction his experiments had taken. “Because your brother is usually such a charming conversationalist when he’s not busy?”
Pru’s expression turned sly. “Youcertainly seem to think so, don’t you? Although I suppose the two of you haven’t been doing much conversing this week.”
Violet blushed; she’d walked directly into that.
“Oh, don’t be embarrassed,” said Pru. “You’ve earned me ten stelle from Fallon!”
That took a moment to sink in, but when it did…“Youbeton us?”
“Half the town’s been betting on you two. Quinn was convinced you’d hold out for another month, but I know my brother. He’s great at denying himself what he wants—until he isn’t.”
Violet groaned, her face going even hotter. She snatched a baked good from the basket and shoved it whole into her mouth, but even the buttery, flaky crust and tart rhubarb filling didn’t dispel her embarrassment.
Pru threw her head back and cackled. “You’re wearing hisshirt, Violet. Don’t think I wouldn’t recognize it—I’m the one who spilled the tincture that stained the sleeve. You can’t have wanted it to bethatmuch of a secret.”
Violet’s fists bunched beneath the too-long sleeves. Thetruth—that the shirt smelled like Nathaniel and she wanted to feel comforted as she revisited the castle—felt too private to divulge, so she said, “It’s not a secret, it’s just…new.”
Pru smiled triumphantly, and Violet got the sudden impression that she’d passed some sort of test. “I’m glad for you both. Nathaniel’s been through a lot—I think you’re aware of that.”
Violet nodded, averting her eyes.
“I was always jealous of him, you know. For following his dream. ForleavingDragon’s Rest. I wanted that—I’ve spent my whole life fantasizing about playing my way across the countryside, performing in Lokoa and Belakry and the Shards and everywhere in between. But then when he came home, and Mum and Da—” She cleared her throat. “Anyway, it never seemed to be in the cards for me. But he’s doing better now, and I think a lot of that’s because of you.”
