I couldn't sleep.
My body had rested for days, but my mind? It was clawing through every shadow, every word and every chapter. The world I was in was exactly the same, the characters and all. But either the plot had changed or I had forgotten a crucial detail.
The snow storm had blown away, summer was almost here and the capital called her. Her engagement was underway.
Summer was already here and the prince was here in the isles. Did I maybe trigger the plot's change?
The vial accident had caused quite a stir. Luckily Cedric and the count had barged in and called the physician. Lisbeth was now locked in her room. My body held the memory of the gruelling pain and a dull reminder I was still here, still alive. That me being here was no dream.
A gentle knock rapped at the door. I tensed instinctively, but it was Cedric who entered carrying a small bundle of letters and a steaming cup.
"Tell me that isn't the horrid ginger tea," I remarked earning a grin from him.
"I wouldn't risk you throwing something piping on me," he said sitting next to me.
"He still doesn't want to see me?" I asked taking the cup from him.
"He's worried you're putting a lot of pressure on yourself," that was a lie.
I raised an eyebrow but I didn't push. Instead I took the bundle of letters and started opening them.
"How is mother?" I asked slightly wincing.
"She still claims you poured the vials in the soup," he answered.
"What about the man in the dungeons? I know she knows him," I claim.
"About that, he said he has something to tell you," now this was getting interesting, he got the letter did he?
I turned my attention to the letters and started reading. The first letter was from an Eloise, inviting me to her tea party. Something about welcoming the summer. The second one was from my Lisbeth, cursing me out for confessing about her possible relationship with the prisoner. So motherly of her.
The third one was from an anonymous person.
"We found the creek ..." It read.
My breath hitched.
A smile lit up on my face, I could now prove I wasn't involved with Rebekah's disappearance.
"Cedric," I said. "I can prove my innocence," I said handing him the letter.
He read it and looked at me slightly puzzled.
"I can not only help find Rebekah but also the other missing girls," I said keeping an eye contact.
"With this?" He asked examining the letter again. "How did you even send a letter outside the manor?"
I gulped.
"Iris, if you're really innocent then it's going to be proven very soon. Now just focus on recovering," he said standing up.
"Am no fool. How will my innocence be proven when everyone thinks I did it," I snapped. " I can only rely on myself, if I don't then my head will roll soon. That's what soon means to me."
His sympathetic look proved my fears right.
"I know the isle's better than anyone," I said quickly. " I've walked every shore. I've memorized every ruin and whisper of the old blood magic still buried in the ground. I know why the river up north turns black every spring and the secrets everyone here has,"
His eyes narrowed, " Everything points to you and mother, if one of you walks out the manor, that would alter our investigation and how would you know that?"
I was desperate. Being locked in for two weeks had made me desperate.
"I wrote them,"
"You sound like a madwoman,"
"I can prove it,"
"No you can't,"
"The pier at the harbor..." His expression changed,now more guarded. His breath got caught, eyes widening.
"Help me...." I whispered. " It's nearly nightfall, I can solve this before daybreak or maybe find a clue. If I find something you'll know am not lying."
"And if you're wrong?" He asked voice low.
"You can hand me over," I said. "But first I need that letter."
Cedric hesitated. His fingers tightened around the letter, I held my breath.
Then ,wordlessly, he handed it to me.
I took it carefully, my pulse quickening. The letter felt strange now, thicker. I lifted the cup of tea.
"stop..." Cedric started, reaching out for me.
I tilted the cup, pouring the liquid on the paper. Cedric cursed under his breath. The letter trembled in my hands, shimmering like wet glass. Slowly faint lines began to bleed through the parchment - familiar lines began to bleed through the letter, etched symbols and slashes of ink.
A map, hidden in plain sight.
He leaned in, eyes wide as the faded images became clearer. A winding creek, nestled between forest ridges. A crescent shaped clearing. Markings. Names.
"It's the grove past the ruined chapel," I whispered.
Cedric stared at me then at the map," How.... How did you know this?"
"I love exploring and I have heard things," I muttered.
The guild the letter was sent to was really good at their job. I was going to thank the maid I bribed to send it later. First, I had to get out of that room.
"Are you still going to stop me?" I asked.
He didn't answer.
"I know our sister is out there," I cried. "The count will have my head, so please...."
"How do you know about the pier?" He asked.
"Help me and I'll tell you."
He stared at me and walked out.