Regina sets her jaw and shakes her head. “I can’t tell you, not right now.”
“What do you mean—” The air rushes from my lungs when I realize what she’s done. “Thank you,” I breathe. “Regina, you’re brilliant.”
“I know the way your mother works,” she says icily, her eyes flashing with memory.
“Keep her safe,” I say.
She wrings her hands at her waist. “What are you going to do?”
I open my mouth to answer, and then I shake my head. “I can’t tell you.”
“Oh.” She nods quickly. “Of course. Hurry back—if you’re gone too long, Aunt Marison will come looking for you.”
Sick with relief, but still on edge because Alice is here somewhere, I hasten back to the sitting room.
Mother’s eyes move to the empty space behind me when I enter. “Where is the girl?” she demands.
“I have no idea,” I snap. “I do not intend to wander the estate searching for her. Are we going to have tea or not?”
Drake turns from the window, giving me a suspicious look. I ignore him, focusing on my sister instead. “Your dress is lovely, Sabine.”
She preens, brushing her golden hair behind her shoulder. “Do you like it? It’s a human creation—came all the way from Albright.” Her eyes sparkle. “Mother detests it.”
“Your fascination with the vermin is growing old,” Mother says, once again turning her ire on my sister, where it usually rests.
When Mother isn’t looking, Sabine flashes me a genuine smile, and I nod my thanks. No one is capable of distracting the queen like her own daughter.