Page 132 of Down Comes the Night

Una gave her a lingering, sympathetic look before leaving the room. Within moments, Isabel appeared in the threshold, as bright as the first break of daylight. Her hair was braided loosely and woven through with white flowers. Although she wore no crown, she still looked royal with the proud cant of her chin, the train of her elegant white dress. Somehow, she looked less severe than usual.The sunlight softened all the harsh edges of her face and sharp angles of her bones.

She carried a glass vase overflowing with pink-speckled lilies and cottony wisps of baby’s breath. Isabel placed the bouquet on the nightstand and sat primly in the chair beside the bed. From here, Wren could smell her perfume, lavender and the sweet vanilla of aging books.

Silence stretched out until Wren shifted nervously under her gaze. She touched one of the lily’s stamens, which was sticky with pollen. “Thank you. These are lovely.”

“You worried me.”

Wren tried to hide her surprise. “Your Majesty…?”

Isabel kept her eyes lowered, her voice quiet. “When you brought me Lowry’s letter, you looked so much like her in that moment. My sister. Youarevery much like her. Too much like her. Impulsive. Hot-tempered. Moody. But kind.” She paused. “How you must resent me.”

Wren had imagined this day so many times. For so long, she’d fantasized about what it would be like to get an apology—and then how satisfying it would feel to reject it, to savor Isabel’s guilt. But now, all she could think to say was, “I did. But I understand.”

“No, you don’t have to understand. You were only a child. You needed someone. I did, too.” Isabel closed her eyes. “I came to say thank you. And I’m sorry. Neither is sufficient, but perhaps it’s a start.”

No, it wasn’t sufficient—but what would be? They’d each lashed out at each other for too long. No flowers, no words, could give them that time back. Nothing could heal those wounds. But for now, this tentative thing between them… Their relationship was an unset bone, healing crooked but true.

It was enough.

“I forgive you,” Wren said. “And I’m sorry, too, for all the trouble I’ve caused.”

“Yes… trouble.” Isabel pursed her lips. “Let’s discuss that.”

Wren cringed. Maybe she’d forgiven her prematurely.

“I’ve struggled with the question of what to do with you in the aftermath of all this. You’re ill-suited for both the Order and the Guard.”

“But I—”

Isabel held up a hand. “So I will be issuing you another assignment. One you are uniquely qualified for. I believe it is time to lay old grudges to rest. We plan to open communication with Vesria, and I will need someone to speak on my behalf.”

Wren waited for the punch line, but slowly, it sunk in. “You mean me?”

“Yes.”

Wren touched her collarbone, croaked when she tried to speak. “Why?”

“You have… a friend in high places.” Isabel smiled, just barely, before rising from her chair in a rustle of silk. “Think about it. When you’ve made your decision, send word. I’ll send the royal carriage to your flat, should you choose to accept.”

She did not turn back as she walked out the door. Wren was still reeling when Una returned. “Did you know about this?”

“I did.”

Wren rested her face in her hands. “What do you think I should I do?”

Una hummed pensively, as if she were carefully turning over the question. “Well, the future leader of Vesria will be on his way out of the country by train soon. I think it would be a gesture of goodwill to send an escort.”

Wren’s breath left her in a rush. So it wasn’t too late. He was still here.

“Why would you…?”

“Because I want you to be happy, even if it means you have to leave.”

I want you to be happy,Hal had told her.Even if that means you staying here.Stay or leave, a piece of her heart would be ripped out. It was an impossible choice.

Una absently plucked a petal from a wilting flower and tore it inhalf. “If we’re really going to change things, we need someone like you over there to build the relationship. Someone kind.”

“I just got back,” Wren whispered. “How can I leave you again?”