Chapter 26

I had dozed off near dawn.

The shock of having truly healed a wound, tangled with the shock of Pavel permitting—or rather threatening—me to remain in the capital, tormented me.

As soon as day broke, I went to see Chadwick.

By the time I pushed open the door of Cersi, I was even entertaining the shameless thought that if Chadwick had warned me sooner, this misfortune might not have happened.

"It's been a while, Saya! You look much better today."

"Thanks to Dahlia. More importantly, where is Chadwick?"

"Chadwick stepped out briefly for some business. So you came to see Chadwick?"

"Pardon? No, it's not so much that I came to see Chadwick as..."

"First, sit down. Sit. He'll be back soon if you wait."

Dahlia fussed and plopped me down on a stool.

After being led by her hand and drinking iced tea so cold it made my head…