Her eyes caught sight of a small canoe as it plunged down the ramp and hit the river at an angle. Trynne’s breath quickened, and she hastened to the docks at the rear of the sanctuary. When she arrived, she dropped her disguise so that Mariette would recognize her.
Mariette was easily distinguishable in the small canoe, but Trynne could not see if she had the child. Anticipation stole her breath. When the boat came closer, she finally glimpsed a squirming bundle and heard the mewling of discomfort and hiccupping sobs.
Relief flooded her.
Mariette handed the child up to Trynne, who caught Kate in her arms and held her fiercely.
“The ride here reminded me of the cost,” Mariette said, her voice a little tremulous. There were beads of sweat on her upper lip.
“This is treason and I’d be thrown into the river. I want to run as far from Kingfountain as I can.”
Cradling the child in one arm, Trynne reached out and helped Mariette up onto the dock. Then Mariette fastened the boat with a mooring line. “What next?”
“This baby’s life is in great danger,” Trynne said, shaking her head. “We must do all we can to save her, Mariette.”
“She’s very sick,” Mariette said, looking pained. “Will she . . . will she die if we take her away? What if Morwenna is the only one who can cure her?”
That was a thought that made Trynne cringe.
When Trynne returned to Ploemeur, she used every healing spell she knew from The Vulgate on Kate. But the baby’s illness only grew worse. Perhaps there was another spell that could cure the princess, but finding words of power in the long, dry-as-dust book had always taken time, and that was something she did not have.
Reya had recovered her strength, and although she was still dizzy from her injuries, she was determined to help. Gahalatine, whose sense of honor had not been stolen with his memories, had also offered his assistance—especially after learning the babe was the princess of this kingdom. While she appreciated the offer, there was little he could do in his current state.
“How did this happen?” Trynne asked Reya, staring at her friend in confusion while she held Kate and tried to soothe her unsuccessfully. They had taken to a small sitting room, somewhere they were unlikely to be seen and overheard. Gahalatine stood by the window, listening to them with a slightly baffled look on his face.
“My lady,” Reya said. “When you appeared before us, I was convinced it was you. The gown you were wearing was different than the one you had on earlier in the day, but I didn’t think anything of it at the time. You brought us to the grove yourself and then poured water from the bowl onto the stone slab. You said you had something to show us.”
“It was not me,” Trynne said, shaking her head.
“But it looked like you. It sounded like you. Even your manners were the same. It deceived us all. My eyes could not tell what was true.” She paused, then added, “But in my heart, I know it wasn’t you. You wouldn’t have led us to such an ambush. And now you say Morwenna has stolen the identity of the queen herself?” She looked fiercely angry. “This is the blackest of treason. And I fear that she does intend for my father to bring Gahalatine’s message of enmity home.”
He looked on in confusion. Trynne forced a smile and said, “It’s a long tale, but suffice it to say that Morwenna has none of our best interests in mind.” Turning back to Reya, she added, “I fear you are correct about your father. But neither of us can risk returning to Kingfountain at present.
“As for her ability with disguise . . . Morwenna is a poisoner. She was trained in the art of disguise, and she has a magic relic that allows her to assume the shape of anyone else. Her plan hinges on killing the princess. I must find a cure, but I do not know where to look. Maybe I should go to the poisoner school.” The words felt toxic on her lips, but she was desperate.
“No!” Reya said, shaking her head. “You could not trust anything they told you. And they may not even know the answer. I must ask— does Grand Duke Elwis have a poisoner? Perhaps we could ask him?”
Trynne liked the idea. The thought of doing nothing but waiting for Drew to invade Brythonica made her desperate. “I could find out.
He wasn’t at the palace. Neither were Lady Evie or King Iago. We need supporters and quickly. I’m certain they would help us.”
“Bring me with you,” Reya pleaded. “Grand Duke Elwis and I have become . . . friendly”—her cheeks pinkened slightly as she said it—“and I can speak to him on your behalf. By helping you, I help the queen as well. She is in great danger too.”