Page 123 of Accomplice to the Villain

Roland looked mortified, and Becky took comfort in it, knowing her brother was a terrible actor and therefore his discomfort was genuine. “Mother thought Evie should have it. Since it was the final piece of Nura… She still thinks Nura is dead, if you recall?”

Becky said nothing, and Roland fiddled with his glasses—a nervous gesture he’d always done. One that sucked the air from her lungs.

“And it wouldn’t stop screaming. Every hour on the hour, like a clock, the screaming would begin again. She thought if I brought it to Evie, whatever unsettled part of Nura was living within the flower would settle in her children’s presence. That is the only reason I have it—I swear to you. When I found out Nura was alive, I held on to it, hoping not to cause an upset. I was going to give it to you. Iwas.”

Becky sighed, pulled the keys from her pocket, and unlocked the door, motioning with her head for Roland to escape. “I know. The guards found the correspondence with Mother in your rooms.”

Roland shook out his neck as he exited the cell, frowning. “Of course, you wouldn’t trust me on the merit of my word.”

Becky responded coolly, “I proceed with you cautiously or not at all.”

Roland looked properly chastised. “I suppose that’s fair. I apologize. How is Blade?”

Becky continued. “He’s been burned by starlight magic. I know that, when used correctly, starlight magic is meant to heal people, isn’t it?”

Roland nodded. “That’s what legend says.”

“Then I need you to figure out how we can use the plant to heal his head and wake him up.”

Roland’s eyes widened. “I—I will try.”

Becky shoved a finger into his chest. “You will succeed.”

Roland nodded, head snapping toward footsteps now echoing down the stairs. The dim torchlight revealed a winded Marv, hands on his knees, wild hair going in every direction. “Ms. Erring! Ms. Erring, I must tell— Are you freeing the prisoner?” Marv halted, fiddling with his fingers.

Roland took one of Marv’s hands and bowed over it, causing the entry guard’s cheeks to pinken under the force of Roland’s half smile. “Roland Fortis, prisoner, at your service.”

Marv chuckled nervously, stumbling back until he knocked into an empty water pail atop a rickety table, causing it to crash to the floor. “Marvin Handsome, front door guard.”

Becky corrected him, exasperated. “Handson, Marv. Your surname isHandson.”

Roland, ever the charmer, leaned his elbow against the stone wall, standing just a few inches taller than Marv. “‘Handsome’ would apply as well, surely.” He grinned wide, and Marv looked on the verge of melting into a puddle.

“Roland! Cease flirting with office personnel on the job.”

Roland saluted. “Apologies, Bex. When do you get off work, Marv?”

“For the love of— Go to the healer’s quarters before I make you sleep down here.”

Her brother leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Is he single?”

“Office relationships are strictly forbidden,” she hissed back.

Roland looked side to side. “But I don’t work here.”

“You’reinthe office. No romantic relationships.”Blowing a gasket is unprofessional. Blowing a gasket is unprofessional. Blowing a gasket is unprofessional.“Go, Roland, or get back in the cell.”

Roland mouthedlaterat Marv, and the guard turned crimson as Roland put his hands in his pockets and strutted up the stairs.

Brothers are a punishment from the gods to test one’s patience.

“Marv,” Becky snapped. “When you’re done inspecting my brother’s hindquarters, might you tell me what was so urgent?”

Marv jumped, sputtering as he addressed her. “It’s F-Fluffy, Ms. Erring.” He shook his head.

Her stomach sank to the vicinity of her toes. “What do you mean? What about Fluffy?”

“The dragon is restless like we’ve never seen. He ate Morey!”