“So that’s how it’s going to be.” Yrsa shrugged. “No matter. Hellas, be a dear and give me a hand.”
If I had much in my stomach it would be on the floor. Before Hellas could take a step toward me, the door swung inward. Madame des Rêves stood there, plum wig and all, Sido at her side.
Yrsa turned toward Des Rêves. “What now?”
“Alastair needs you upstairs. There’s a situation.”
“Well? Spit it out.”
“A crowd is gathering outside the door. Guests are streaming out. The crown already sent an envoy to meet with us.”
“What’s happening?” I asked.
Des Rêves’s eyes snapped to me. “Haven’t heard? We’re in Champilliers.”
My breath left me in one sharp exhale.
Bel.
Fresh tears welled up. I touched my lips and they were still swollen. Bel would lose everything Alastair had given him for this. All those little memories. Bel risked them all to bring me here. My chest swelled. This was for all of us.
I had to find the woman in the painting.
“Stay with the girl. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Yrsa barked at Hellas, then practically flew from the room along with Des Rêves and Sido.
Hellas shuffled his cards, creating an unmovable barrier.
I wished I could summon some trick to convince him to leave as easily as he plucked cards from his deck.
When he didn’t meet my eyes, I studied his face. It might have been wishful thinking, but he almost looked conflicted. Chances were good he still didn’t care for me, but I hoped he didn’t hate me. When Alastair threatened Frigga, it was obvious Hellas didn’t have the power to spare her. I witnessed his fear. It wasn’t too dissimilar from mine. I knew from experience the lengths people were willing to go to protect those they loved.
In the aviary, when Hellas had thought Frigga was in trouble, I’d seen fear in his eyes. Hellas wasn’t standing here because he enjoyed working for Alastair.
He had to see the similarities between our circumstances, how we were both bound by our siblings. And if that were the case, he probably wanted many of the same things I did.
“There’s a reason Bel brought us here,” I said, nerves swimming inside me. I half expected Hellas leave and lock me in the room, but the Botaniste did nothing but listen. “I—I think there’s a woman in this city who knows something that could help us.”
“Help with what?”
I didn’t mention the ring. Instead, I said, “She might know something about the contracts. A way to void them. You could free yourself along with your sister. But you have to let me out first.” When he raised a silver brow, I added, “Please.”
My hands were ice-cold. I rubbed them up my arms to fill the silence, to do something other than stand motionless. I didn’t know what else to say. I supposed I could beg. I wasn’t above it.
“What would you do if it were reversed?” I said. “If Frigga was a bird and you had the chance to save her, wouldn’t you take it?”
Please let me out, I willed with everything inside me. We’re not so different.
He remained silent for a few more beats then held the door wide. For me.
“What you did for Frigga in the aviary . . . She told me you lied for her when you didn’t have to. If you hadn’t . . .” He sighed through his nose. “Consider my debt paid.”
He would help me.
Noises drifted down the hall, but I didn’t move.
“What are you waiting for?” Hellas asked.
Carefully, I took Zosa’s porcelain finger and tucked it down my skirt pocket so it nestled beside the cosmolabe. I stepped to her cage.
Hellas grunted in disbelief. “Surely Bel wouldn’t associate himself with a fool.”
“I’m not leaving her.”
“You won’t make it ten blocks carrying that thing, and you’ll both have to return before the next midnight regardless.”
I ignored him and bent to lift the cage.
Hellas grumbled. He took a card and positioned it at the tip of his fingers. I expected him to flick it at my throat. Instead, he stepped over and placed it atop the metal bars. Paper leaves unspooled, cloaking the entire thing in white. “At least now you might make it past the lobby before you’re caught.”
I straightened, amazed Hellas bothered to lift a finger. Sweeping a white leaf aside, I stroked Zosa’s neck. “You have to be quiet,” I whispered, hoping she would understand. She was just a bird, but she settled down, tucking her head under her wing.