A Court This Cruel and Lovely

Prisca wakes to find Lorian by her side. She was unconscious for two days, during which time Lorian cared for her and investigated what happened. He tells her that Caraceli was behind the poisoning. Prisca asks him not to kill the woman, preferring to find another way to silence her rather than drawing more attention to herself. They then talk about the rumors that speculate about a potential relationship between the two of them. Lorian confesses to being jealous of Thol, and the talk turns sexual, although he insists on waiting until Prisca has fully recovered. He also receives a letter from his brother, who expresses interest in Prisca’s time-altering powers, but Lorian brushes off the missive.

Once Prisca is well enough, she returns to the dungeon to provide food for the prisoners, and Demos expresses his frustration at being unable to protect her. Afterward, Prisca goes to see Lorian, telling him that she knows where the amulet is. She promises to obtain it for him in exchange for his help with the escape of the prisoners. Lorian reluctantly agrees to consider it. The conversation takes a turn when he presses her to admit her desire for him, and they soon become intimate.