Han sat down on one of the chairs, a light sheen of sweat on his brow. “Why? Why take the strongest?”
Doranna slipped down the stairs, moving very lightly for a woman in her middle years. “It’s safe,” she reported. When Bethel nodded, the wastrel moved past Harberd and disappeared outside.
“Because the curses are so well masked,” Bethel said. “Only the strongest can sense it.”
“It’s impossible to hide witch song, Mother.”
Bethel shot her a look. “As impossible as using the earth in potions?”
Jolin didn’t respond. Lilette’s eyes widened as she turned to face her friend. “Is that what you’re trying to do? What all your experiments are about?”
“It can be done,” Jolin said through clenched teeth. “I know it can. Think of it—a whole new world of ingredients that we know nothing about. Minerals such as salt, sulfur, antimony . . . the list is endless.”
Lilette bit her lip. “Even if it can, are you sure it’s a good idea? After all, look at the damage the witches can inflict with just a song.”
In answer, Jolin shoved herself back from the table and began pacing. Doranna returned with another platter of food, which she set on the table. Though Lilette’s mouth watered and her stomach tightened within her, she could not bring herself to eat.
Han nudged her. “Lilette?”
She raised haunted eyes. “I’ve been poisoned before.” She met Bethel’s gaze. “I thought I would finally be safe here.”
Bethel piled the food onto a plate and set it before her. “You will both come to Haven with me. There you will be safe.”
Jolin paused in her pacing. “I’m staying.”
Bethel took a delicate bite out of a slice of white, creamy-looking cheese. “You will come or I’ll cut off your funding for your research. And there go your dreams of becoming the Head of Plants.”
Jolin went so still she could have been carved of stone before she stormed up the stairs. Lilette forced herself to eat. At least it was food she was familiar with—sliced mangoes, oranges, and star fruit—all served with cheese and crackers.
There was a bottle of white wine that they shared, the fruitiness a nice contrast to the tangy cheese. When everyone had their fill, Doranna covered the remaining food with a cloth and set it aside.
Bethel rose to her feet. “All the women upstairs. You men are down.”
“I’ll take the first watch,” Han said as he stood.
The other guardian moved to join him. “We sleep in front of the doors.
Bethel yawned and moved up the stairs without looking back.
Doranna moved to Lilette’s side. “I–I knew your parents. I’m sorry.”
All Lilette could do was nod.
Chapter 24
I don’t know why all young women think their mothers fools. ~Jolin
Lilette’s head felt like a boulder perched precariously on her shoulders. She pressed her fingertips to her throbbing temples. Her mouth tasted particularly foul. She rolled to her knees and pushed herself up. Her body felt thick and ridged. She barely remembered to hold up the hem of her dress as she plodded down the curving staircase.
Downstairs was already in an uproar. Broad men were hauling out straw-lined crates while Jolin hovered above them, shoving fistfuls of straw between the books. “Make sure they are packed in oiled canvas. Water is poison for books. Absolute poison.” The men bore Jolin’s fussing with expressions of forced patience.
Han saw Lilette first. “You look rested.”
Jolin looked up at her and grunted. “He’s being kind. You look like you’ve been trampled by an elephant.”
Han shot Jolin a warning look. Lilette reached up to touch her hair. Half of it had come loose, so she shook it out and let it tumble in a messy, still-damp heap around shoulders. Her dress was crumpled from sleeping in it. “Remind me never to drink wine again.” She sighed and rubbed her eyes with the front of her wrists. “What’s going on?”
Jolin was already back to fussing over her books. “Mother made an agreement with the Heads. I am allowed to take some of the inner-city library books with me in exchange for going back with her. She’s already gone ahead to Haven. We’re to follow as quickly as we can.”
Lilette stood frozen on the stairway. All of her life, she’d dreamed of nothing but going to Haven, her days filled with singing and the knowledge she’d craved since childhood. And always with her sister beside her. Now Sash was the captive and Lilette the student.
Her gaze strayed to Han. She’d never imagined leaving him would hurt this much. He reached toward her, grasped her hand, and pulled her out the front door. They ended up behind the tree, in her sister’s private garden filled with leaves and the green smell of growing things.