Page 63 of Degradation

Garron gripped my arms and kissed my forehead.

“This isn’t your fault, Snow. It’s the queen’s. Casting isn’t evil. It’s the intentions of the caster that determine how it’s used. This morning’s magic was pure joy, and you were not wrong for feeling it. Do you understand?”

“I do. However, my guilt remains. Edmund, Brandle, and Pogwid shouldn’t need to face the consequences of my actions.

“They aren’t,” Eadric said. “The queen took Edmund for breeding, and Brandle was likely betrayed by a supporter.”

“What?”

“I will leave it to them to explain,” Garron said. “I know where to look if you are not here when I return with Daemon and Darian.”

“Watch for the goat,” Liam said.

Garron nodded, kissed me swiftly, then left the room.

“Goat?” I echoed.

The man entered in Garron’s wake.

“Have we been compromised?”

“Not yet. I kindly ask your assistance in finding a gown of modest means for the Princess and a clean tunic for my brother, Philip.”

The man left again, and once the doors were closed, Liam resumed his pacing.

“I need help understanding the pieces that have been kept from me,” I said. “Why should Garron watch for a goat, and why do you believe Brandle was betrayed? I thought he was certain of the acquaintances you’ve been meeting.”

“Goats are used to keep the lawns in an estate properly trimmed and are not an uncommon sight. If a black goat is ever grazing here, it means it’s not safe to return. As for our trust in our acquaintances, we’ve been careful, meeting only trusted friends of trusted supporters. We’ve thoroughly questioned the trust of each one before accepting a meeting.”

He tugged at his earlobe in vexation. “We can’t move forward until we know who betrayed us. Yet, neither can we afford to sit idle.”

“Then how do we find who betrayed us?” Eadric asked.

“We ask,” I said.

“Ask?” Liam echoed. “Do you think they will simply tell us?”

“You? No. Me? I believe I can seek the truth the same way Garron taught me to remove memories. Rather than remove them, I will expose them. I believe we should start with the newest acquaintance Brandle was supposed to meet.”

“Love, it’s too dangerous.”

“And apparently, so am I,” I said. “Should I remain idle and wait to lose you one by one? I think not. Either you go with me, or I go alone. But I will go, Liam. You have five minutes to decide.”

“When we find Brandle, he’s going to kill us himself,” Eadric said.

CHAPTERTWELVE

I satin the carriage across from the new acquaintance Brandle had intended to meet and watched the well-dressed woman struggle to keep her panic at bay.

“Breathe, Mrs. Wimbles,” I said softly. “All will be well.”

She nodded and took several calming breaths in vain. I touched her energy and willed her to remain calm regardless of what might happen during our visit. She relaxed visibly.

“Thank you, dear.”

Liam’s annoyance surged from his perch by the door. Neither he nor Eadric liked that I was alone with Mrs. Wimbles. However, I’d convinced them it was more discreet for me to arrive with her for a social call than it was for the four of us to demand an audience with the last “acquaintance” introduced to the heirs.

“Do you think Ascott will see us?” she asked.

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