Page 128 of Adversary to the Villain

“What made you think it was mine?” Edwin asked.

“There’s an E at the bottom,” Gideon muttered in defeat, wincing through sips of his cauldron brew.

Joseph came to Edwin’s shoulder, and the chef stiffened, holding his breath when Joseph leaned in. “I recognize this.”

“You do?” Lyssa blinked.

“This lace is only used for capes of enchantment,” Joseph explained. “May I?” he asked Edwin gently, and the ogre handed it over, their fingers brushing, and they both smiled nervously.

“Stop staring,” Keeley hissed at Gideon.

“What?” Gideon hissed right back. “I’m a romantic. So take me away in handcuffs, Captain.”

While the adults in the room bickered, Lyssa got back to work. “What is a cape of enchantment?”

“Every family line of enchantresses has a cape passed through the family,” Joseph explained, studying the piece with rapt interest. “On occasion they’ll take pieces from the cape and use them for baby blankets or—”

“Handkerchiefs,” Lyssa concluded.

“Exactly.” Joseph smiled at her. “In Rennedawn, there are only ten family lines of enchantresses. It’s the only kind of magic that is passed down from generation to generation and not awoken later in life.”

“The Fortis family has something like that,” Ms. Erring added. “But it’s silk.”

His eyes brightened. “I didn’t realize we had a member of the Fortis family here. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I’ve studied your family for many years.”

“Wonderful. Are you any closer to diagnosing them?” Ms. Erring replied dryly.

Joseph chuckled, pointing at her. “You’re just like your grandmother.”

“Thank you.” Ms. Erring softened. “You know her?”

“We’ve crossed paths a few times. She’s always been a wonderful dance partner at a party.” The ogre smiled sideways at Edwin. “As is Edwin.”

“Oh?” Keeley smiled to herself, and Lyssa bit her tongue before she swooned.

Edwin’s laugh was strangled. “No, you’re being kind. I stepped on your toes.”

Joseph’s eyes were warm on Edwin’s face. “I never noticed.”

Blade mock-whispered to Gideon, “Should we leave?”

Keeley, Ms. Erring, and Lyssa shushed them both so fast the boys flinched away from them.

Lyssa found she enjoyed having that effect on people.

“So theEwould stand for…”

“Erodina.” Joseph snapped from the spell that had him gazing upon Edwin’s face. “This would probably be the Erodina line.”

“It’s Winnifred’s?” Ms. Erring asked. “But Winnifred just showed up a few days ago. And Marv was imprisoned not long after. She cannot be the person who wrote the notes to Lyssa.”

“Then someone she would’ve given it to.”

Ms. Erring jumped, wide-eyed. “Bladen, fetch me a raven—I need to write to Roland. I have an idea.” Blade was sailing from the room before she finished.

“We could send one to Evie as well. If she crosses paths with Winnifred in Maverine’s village, she might be able to find out who had her handkerchief last,” Gideon suggested, and Edwin shook his head.

“If they’re still on the boat, it’ll be harder to reach them. We’re better off waiting till the morning and sending it directly to the village.”