He appeared remorseful for a moment, and I sensed he had more to say on the subject, about the good of idium and how he’d change the world one vial at a time, but instead he said, “You must have been lonely, travelin’ around all those years by yourself. I imagine it’s why you hate the silence.”
I felt suddenly exposed and crossed my arms tightly. “I kept myself occupied.”
“Not so easy for a lady like you to stay hidden. To avoid pickin’ a side. It’s a wonder you kept it up for so long.”
“A wonder, indeed.” I couldn’t stop that needling, burrowing into my flesh.
“Makes me wonder why you bothered at all.” His eyes tracked a convoy of sluggish clouds. “Why would you turn your back on the House of Lords, on Tanner, on all Artisans, to go on the run? I can only imagine what they must have a
