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I had already delayed longer than I should have. The house’s occupants would soon begin stirring. “I have to run an errand. The matron asked me to do something for her, but it needs to be done quickly.”

“All the servants are busy, then?” He took a sip of the hot drink. “Is it something I can help you with?”

“No. No thank you, Sebastianus. I’d better do it on my own.”

The sun was rising, and the mist was starting to dissipate.

He leaned back in the chair. “Let’s speak plainly to one another. As you know, I have little patience for anything else. You won’t get as far as the end of the street on your own. Do you think the walls and roads are unwatched? Do you imagine these houses would let their valuable assets just walk away? No. It’s not a very good plan at all.”

Tears welled behind my eyes and spilled down my cheeks. I wiped them away with the back of my hand, wishing I could conceal them.

“I understand yesterday was a very difficult day for you. I was sorry to hear of the death of your friend.” His voice had a gentleness to it that I had not heard before.

A feeling of helplessness washed over me. The tears came too quickly for me to contain.

He turned away toward the outer wall. “This has always been my favorite time of day here. The mists come up the mountain, and the city below is hidden. Here, have a look.”

Indeed, the mist still drifted around the lower terraces and along the slopes, blocking the city from view completely. It was an otherworldly scene: as though we were floating in a white sea.

“This is the only place in the world where you can see a view like this,” he said. “Did you know that?”

I sat down slowly, letting my satchel drop to the flagstones. What was the use of pretending I could get away? I steadied my breathing and willed the tears to stop. “By the Goddess, what will happen to me?”

I took several deep breaths, fighting to control my emotions.

He watched me struggle for a minute. “I considered bidding for you, you know, even though it’s against my principles, just so Fabius wouldn’t have you. Ultimately, I decided not to get involved with it. You handled him quite nicely on your own.”

I exhaled, a long, shuddering sigh. “I have not handled anything nicely. I’ve ruined any chance I ever had of leaving Corlivo. How will I pay off my debt now? Where will I go?”

He seemed to make up his mind about something. “I have an option for you to consider.”

“An option?”

“Yes.” He took another sip. “You could leave Corlivo and come to Panpirion with me.”

I was immediately wary. “Are you—are you teasing me? Is this a trick or a game?”

His forehead creased in a frown. “No. Why would I do such a thing?”

I thought for a few seconds. “How would that work? The matron will not just let me leave.”

He shook his head. “Certainly not. I’ll need to buy out your contract and pay the accumulated debt.”

“But that would be a large sum.”

“Less so this morning than it would have been yesterday. I’m sure your value dropped considerably overnight.”

“Why would you do this for me?”

He held my gaze with his clear blue eye and his opaque one. “An act of courage and defiance like the one you showed last night deserves some recognition.”

“You just want Geographica.”

He laughed softly. “Have it your way.”

“I thought you said the book was not important?”

He shrugged.