In Her Shadow(25)

No, she couldn't. The thought struck Britta in the jaw, but she didn't let it slow her down as she followed Dux Lucius to Ava's bedside. There the girl sat, propped up on pillows. Yes, she was awake, but she looked far from well. Ava's little lips quivered into a smile when she saw her father. He resumed his station kneeling beside her bed. She threw her arms around his neck. In a show of affection Britta hadn't thought him capable of a few hours ago, Lucius returned the embrace.

The doctor sidled up beside her. "She'll be fine," he said. "A simple toxin made from a puffer fish found at the bottom of the harbor."

"Why tell me?"

The doctor quirked an eyebrow, the edges of his lips in a slight frown. "I thought you were the mother."

"Ah – No, it's fine. Tell me, what should we do from here?"

"Not much. It's a useful paralytic, so I often use it in surgery. Without the antidote, the poison is – oh, what's the word I'm looking for? – Sticky. It's a sticky poison. Untreated, it can last for days. In the right proportion, however, the antidote is quick acting. I'm not used to using it on children, so she might be groggy for a couple days, but you should see steady improvement."

"Thank you doctor," Britta said.

"Call me if her condition worsens. It shouldn't, but just in case."

"Yes, thank you."

He gave her a slight nod and pleasant smile before he slipped out the door. Britta turned her attention back to the sick girl and her father. They'd stopped embracing, and Ava had slumped back down into the bed, giving off little snores as she slumbered. Dux Lucius stood with a grunt.

"Thank you again," he said. "For finding her. For calling the doctor. You saved my little girl's life."

"Don't thank me," she said. "Give me something in return."

"Anything within my power," he said.

"Dawn is soon, too soon for me to make it home before sunrise. I need a place to stay until nightfall."





Chapter 11


Alone in the giant room Lucius had found for her, surrounded by luxuries she'd never seen, Britta reflect on how she'd been doted on her entire life. She'd always thought the abbey was the pinnacle of wealth in the city, but these few visits to the Governor's manse had divested her of the illusion. As she stripped her cloak off and climbed between the soft, warm covers, she wondered what the room's glittering crystal and polished silver looked like in the light of day.

Those thoughts were a nice distraction from what she wanted to think about – Weboshi and her betrayal. And then there was the Dux. Every time her dozing thoughts drifted to him, the feel of his lips, his stubble against her cheek, his smell, she shuddered with excitement – then guilt. How could she be giddy when the woman who'd raised her was about to die? No matter how soft and comfortable the bed, no matter how darkened the room, Britta couldn't stop tossing, turning, thinking. If only there was something she could do to help. But she couldn't. Why should she, anyway? Misguided as she'd been, Weboshi had endangered them all. Britta couldn't forgive her for that, or for kidnapping and poisoning a child. Still, she couldn't exactly stop caring for the closest person she'd had to a mother. Britta's feelings whiplashed back and forth throughout the day until she finally dragged herself, red and bleary eyed, out of bed.

Dusk, she thought, her body long used to waking on its own when the time was right. She peeked out the window to see she was right. She dressed, wishing for a bowl of water with which to wash up. The lack of one made her sharply aware of her handmaiden's absence.

Well, she couldn't stay in this room all night and sulk. She needed to get home to the abbey. Surely the Abbess of Night awaited her word on what had transpired, though Britta thought she might conveniently forget to mention the kissing part.

Britta wanted to check on Ava one last time and say goodbye, but as she stepped out into the hallway, she found the Governor's manse in a tizzy. People rushed everywhere. "Governor," she said over the din as she caught sight of him at the top of the stairs. He stopped in his tracks. His eyes glanced downstairs, then back at her. Furtive, she thought, suspicious. He doesn't want to talk to me. He took a step down, but got no farther before she caught his shoulder. "Governor?"

"Britta," he said.

"What's the matter?"

"You should find the Dux."

"No, I'm asking you."

He made one last glance down the stairs then sighed in resignation. He motioned her off to the side to let the people traffic through. "It's the woman who kidnapped Ava."

"Weboshi? What about her?"

"She's escaped."

Britta covered her mouth to keep from screaming. The world tumbled away from her and she stumbled backwards a few steps. The Governor leaned over her hunched form and put one hand on her back. "It's possible her co-conspirators helped her, or stole her to silence her."

Britta shoved him away. "No!"

"Please–"

"No!" Britta's knees wobbled. She stumbled away from him. "Lucius," she said. "I have to find Dux Lucius."

"He'll be at the garrison. Wait–"

But she didn't. She ran down the stairs, through the crowd, and out of the manse.