Когда Биттерблу взошла на трон Монси, она была еще совсем ребенком и страной за нее взялись управлять советники. Но теперь их действия вызывают сомнения у юной королевы. Ей непонятно, почему так старательно замалчивается период власти ее отца, жестокого короля Лека, который обладал Даром манипулировать мыслями людей. Биттерблу понимает: чтобы вести Монси в будущее, необходимо знать его прошлое. И потому, скрыв лицо под капюшоном, девушка по ночам покидает замок и знакомится с собственным...
Bitterblue crossed out the word insane and replaced it with strange. Except that that opened the list to everybody. Everybody was strange.
"Is it possible to share someone's bed without tears, battles, and constant crises?"
"Yes," said Bann.
"Not if you're Katsa and Po," said Giddon at the same time.
"Holt is a Council ally, Lady Queen," Giddon said. "He stood guard during the meeting that took place in the library."
"Did he?" Bitterblue said. "He's also been stealing my sculptures."
Giddon stared at her in the sheerest amazement.
"Then bringing them back," said Bitterblue. "Will you pay him close attention in your dealings, Giddon? I'm worried about his health."
"You want me to pay close attention to Holt, who is stealing your sculptures, because you're concerned for his health," Giddon repeated incredulously.
"Yes. His mental health. Please don't tell him I mentioned the sculptures. You do trust him, though, Giddon?"
"Holt, who is stealing your sculptures and is of questionable mental health?"
"Yes."
"I trusted him five minutes ago. Now I'm at a bit of a loss."
Madness is such a convenient explanation.
"But that's how memory works," Bitterblue said quietly. "Things disappear without your permission, then come back again without your permission."