Page 78 of Of Thieves and Shadows

And when I do, I freeze, my cup and saucer halfway off the table.

It’s a fan.Myfan.

The one I was carrying the night I was arrested. The one that sliced into Damian’s skin.

She unfurls it, tilting it back and forth until the sunlight catches subtly on the black bladed edge along the top. There is no sign of blood anywhere on it.

She’s had it cleaned.

“I believe this belongs to you,” she says, snapping it shut before handing it across the small table.

My breath stills in my lungs. The last thing I expected her to do was arm me during this visit. Well, arm me further. My stars are strapped to my thigh, but she hardly knows that.

Then again, it wouldn’t surprise me if she did, at this point.

I gently set my cup and saucer down on the table and take the fan from her with tentative fingers.

The implications of her knowing this is mine are staggering. All this time, she knew there was more to me. Even if she didn’t have proof I was the vigilante, she knew I was dangerous.

A possible threat.

My lips part, though I’m not sure what to say. Before I can formulate a response, the queen speaks up.

“Are you aware that the women of the royal family are each responsible for their own personal charity?”

The abrupt change of subject has me blinking rapidly, trying to keep up.

I shake my head, finally finding my voice. “I was not aware of that, no.”

She nods like that’s the answer she expected. “I took a special interest in those wounded in service of our kingdom. Margot finances the scientists who help our kingdom progress and grow. Chloé has sponsored healers to help those who cannot afford medical care. You’ll need to decide on yours soon, and then we can host a gala in support of it.”

My cause comes to me within seconds. “The orphans.”

She raises both eyebrows at my quick response.

“They are left with so few choices in life, being picked up by slavers or sent to the brothels,” I explain, fully aware of how inappropriate it is to bring that up at tea. But the queen doesn’t balk.

If anything, she looks almost…proud. So I go on.

“The orphanages are understaffed and under-funded. If we could arrange for more food, healthcare, even apprenticeships, the children could obtain work that would support them without having to steal, so it would reduce crime as well.”

It occurs to me for the first time that I might not hate everything about being in this position. Then my heart sinks when I remember that none of this is real or permanent, not when Remy has already said he wouldn’t have chosen to marry me and Madame will probably kill me before it matters anyway.

But, at least if I start this, I could probably convince him to keep it going. Perhaps his new wife will take up the same charity.

The tea sours in my stomach, threatening to make a reappearance. I look at Pumpkin to hide my expression.

“An admirable cause, Princess Aika,” the queen says approvingly.

We spend the rest of the meal in a surprisingly frank and amicable discussion about the best ways to go about facilitating my new initiative. We’re in the middle of talking about the respective merits of expanding the current orphanages or opening new ones when muted whispers float in through a portrait on the wall.

“Ow! You stepped on my foot.”

“Hush. I missed what they said.”

“They’re going to hear—"

The queen clears her throat, amusement dancing in her eyes.

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