Chapter 44

Evie reflects that spite has always driven her to defy limits, which is why Trystan’s order not to visit the festival only pushes her to go. With Tatianna’s help, Evie obtains a dress and wig, and Edna adds face paint to hide Evie from the village, though Evie feels changed enough that the disguise may not be necessary.

At Mr. Gully’s cart, Evie reveals herself to Trystan, who is also disguised. When Mr. Gully steps away, Trystan hauls Evie into a side path and angrily demands an explanation for risking herself. Evie accuses Trystan of hypocrisy for doing the same thing, and when Trystan threatens to fire her for insubordination, Evie calls the bluff.

Evie leads Trystan away from the festival toward the cottage where Evie grew up. Evie explains that Mr. Gully never met Nura Sage; Evie only encouraged Mr. Gully to gossip by claiming admiration for Nura’s collection. Passing the injured Rick, Evie notices Trystan’s gray mist press harder on Rick’s knee, making Rick cry out, though Trystan seems confused when Evie asks why Trystan did it. Evie feels a strange hum in Evie’s dagger and scar.

At the cottage, Evie explains that Nura once owned a painting of two little girls playing together, and Evie believes the shard from the Sage frame may belong to that portrait. Evie hopes the painting will identify Nura’s childhood friend and point them toward a new lead. Trystan agrees to search the house, then mischievously heads straight for Evie’s childhood bedroom as payback for earlier teasing about Trystan’s pillows.

Evie tries to stop Trystan, embarrassed despite claiming she has nothing to hide. When Evie catches up and begins removing the pins from her wig-styled hair, Trystan’s teasing expression disappears. The chapter ends with Trystan and Evie alone in Evie’s bedroom, the investigation momentarily overtaken by intense romantic tension.