Elijah grunted in approval. “Balanquan trade goods. The north only just thawed out. Someone was eager to get these down here and get a jump on the sales.” He lifted an elegant sculpture of a woman riding a deer. At first, it looked like the stone was black, but then I could see a silver sheen on the smooth surface as he rotated it in the light.

   “We can’t make anything like these. It’ll fetch a good price with the right buyers,” said Tom. He nodded to another crate. “That silk over there will too. I guess that means I can replenish what Allen fleeces out of me. I don’t suppose you’d like a silk dress, my lady? No? Well, I’m sure this other crate will please you. More fruit, fresh from the lovely Balanquan coast. Mistress Smith will adore you even more than she already does.”

   We headed back for the city in triumph. Tom and Anders led our party, discussing the best ways to sell the sculptures and silk. I rode near the back with Elijah, who always readily explained things to me. He’d already held me in high regard for saving his family, and helping him tonight only furthered my standing. He seemed to think of me as a younger sister. “The stone in those Balanquan statues—I’ve never seen anything like it before,” I remarked.

   “They have a lot of it up there. We don’t, so it’s a good deal for them. Rich collectors get excited by it and think they’ve gotten a hold of some lost relic. What we’ve actually got is just regular art they’d use in any home. But like I said, it’s worth a lot here.”

   “How do you know that? Have you ever been to their empire?” This was actually more information than I usually got from Aiana or Grant. They spoke little about the Balanquans. I was curious about the land Grant was willing to risk so much for.

   “When I was younger, my pa was a trader, so we were up there a lot. We even lived there for a time. They’re pretty closed off now, but the trade still flows from the borders.”

   “What’s it like there?”

   Elijah grew reflective. “Pretty. But different. It’s so different from here that it didn’t even seem like a real place, you know? Even though it’s so far north, the eastern coast is warm—something about the sea currents. They’ve been in Adoria a lot longer than us, so all the homes and businesses . . . they’re not new and thrown together like in the colonies. All the wood and stone are carved. I loved it as a kid. Stare at some home, and you’d always find something new in the woodwork. Animals. Leaves.”

   “What are the people like?”

   “Different from us.” He shrugged. “But also the same.”

   We took the goods back to the Dancing Bull, and Tom directed his men to take them down to the storeroom. Once he was satisfied, Tom relaxed with a mug of ale and eyed me shrewdly. “So. What’s this about you needing more money?”

   I grimaced. “There’ve been some unexpected developments—new debts I need to pay.”

   “I hope you’re not shelling out to this man of yours.”

   “There is no man!” I insisted. “This is for family.”

   “Ah. That certainly ups the stakes, doesn’t it? Lucky for you, I might have an opportunity that could work out quite nicely—assuming fifty gold would be of any use.”

   “Fifty?” More than triple what I’d already earned. Combined, I’d have enough for Lonzo’s bond. “In just one job? What kind of job?”

   “I have another big haul coming up in a couple of weeks—similar to what we did with the Queen Grace. Sneak onto a ship, sailors—hopefully—detained not killed, and then off we go with the cargo.”

   Suspicion dampened my enthusiasm. “If it’s so easy, why does it pay so much more than the last one?”

   “Because the cargo is worth more.”

   “Who are you stealing from?” I asked. “Is this another just for-profit job from some poor merchant trying to make ends meet?”

   “It’s for profit, but I can say with absolutely honesty the man who owns the cargo is most certainly not poor and makes his living by the deaths of countless people. And I hope you know that I value life, just as you do. As always, we’ll try to do this with as little harm to the crew as possible. The Six know I can’t afford any more bribes.”

   I was growing tired, now that the thrill of the fight had faded. And I knew it would be best if I didn’t go near any kind of job that even Tom admitted wasn’t noble. Lady Aviel’s original purpose had become clouded, and there was no black and white anymore, the further I became involved with Tom. I was lost in gray.

   But fifty gold. For one night’s work. And Lonzo’s freedom.

   I never thought you were that kind of person, Mirabel.

   I ignored Grant’s voice in my head. After everything he’d put me through, defiance suddenly felt as good as what I could do for my brother.

   “I’m in.”

   Tom gave me the details about when and where the job would occur, and then I made my exit. I returned to Wisteria Hollow and found both Tamsin and Adelaide sleeping soundly. I slinked into my own bed, falling asleep almost as soon as I closed my eyes.

   It made for another exhausting day, but I was cheered by the thought of earning Lonzo’s bond so quickly. Just like every recent day, however, every lift in my mood ended in a horrific crash.

   Adelaide was leaving tomorrow.

   I’d known it was coming. I’d even helped with the shopping. But the reality of it, that she’d be gone the next day, off into a new frontier . . . hit me in a new way. I’d just gotten Tamsin back. I wanted them both with me now, safely together in the security of our room. But the world had other plans. Adelaide left early to pursue more preparations, so I couldn’t even have the day with her. Tamsin was off to a fancy tea, and me? I actually had no engagements until nighttime.

   That was a rarity around here, but the Thorns had been giving most social opportunities to the Gray Gull girls. Jasper knew of Rupert’s interest—and that it’d likely be my only resort after I’d put off any other potential husbands. So, Jasper wasn’t wasting resources to show me off anymore.