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While I was still tossing and turning, Keen sneaked in, fluttered around in the closet, and eventually settled into childish snores Still later, I heard Casper’s boots on the boards and the whisper of his jacket hitting the desk He paused there in the near darkness, and I gave my best imitation of sleep, curious if he could tell the difference--and if he could, anxious to see ould have to say to each other He cracked his fingers one at a tih and slip to the floor Even with the furs and rugs, it couldn’t have been coe and co bad about it

I listened to his breathing, even and deep in the shadows I foundin ti myself to his body And I was asleep before I could conclude what that htI saw by the light of a glowing clock was Casper asleep on the floor My are of the bed, and his outstretched hand was alht him while asleep? I snatched my arm back so quickly that he startled awake

"Ahna? What’s wrong?"

I flopped back against the pillows, fu to say

"Where’d the clock co that caht like a little light in the darkness and a way to tell if it was day or night Ithis eyes and running a hand through sleep-tangled hair

"I need fresh air," I grumbled "I vastly underestimated how cramped and airless a less cabin would be I can’t breathe in here"

"Well, technically, you’re not supposed to leave the roorouchiness, and it occurred to me that perhaps his hand had been the one to seek h for me Won’t they all be asleep?"

"No time is safe for you on the Maybuck," he said darkly "But at least you have ti off with Ravenna I’ve never heard of anyone surviving so long after being drained"

"My h, I touched ar Snow Balls in Freesia by now My beaux will have hed "A spinster"

"Anne"

He stood, forcing me to look up at him

I blushed at what I saw on his face I was thankful that he didn’t have a Bludman’s eyes in the darkness to see my reaction

"Ahna You’re not a princess anymore You’re a queen You know you’re lovely, don’t you?"

"I don’t feel likewith the ermine tails on a pillow "This isn’t my hair These aren’t "

"We’re all drifting," he said "You just have to get to where you don’t mind so much"

"But I was raised to be so special I used to beextraordinary"

"Me, too And tonight I’ll be playing an out-of-tune harpsichord while richabout two ladies who mostly hate me but are, for better or worse, in ht and look into ht for the new passengers Promise me you won’t open the door for anyone"

"As Keen says, you are not ht-blind eyes

"I know that Of course, I know that," he snapped "But you can’t protect yourself without revealing what you are Cora already knows We don’t need anyone else to And we don’t want to end up on our own in Barlin, either Unless you speak Prussian?"

"Nein"

"Exactly We don’t have any coppers We’re stuck on the Maybuck, for better or worse Once we’re on the ground in Freesia, you’re in charge Until then, you do what I say"

"Do I?" I stood and took a step toward hi in amusement

"You do"

"And what if I don’t behave?"

"You ain? I’ll truss you up and lock you in this rooed off his shirt, and I tried not to stare at his well-h the trunk for another