Page 103

“Foxglove?” Verity rummages through the jars until she pulls one out with the name written on the label. “I think there’s some of that in the solarium. They’re pretty.”

“Pretty,” I agree, “but toxic.”

Her eyebrow raises. “How toxic?”

I take out another jar. “I’d have to ask Lex, but I think it can cause serious cardiac issues. And look, all of these are weird. Like this one?” I show her the bottle, giving it a rattle. “What’s he doing with wisteria seeds in his tea box?”

All of the pretty color in Verity’s cheeks drains away. “Crushed seeds,” she says, eyeing the bottle with wide eyes. “Wisteria seeds are poisonous. Why would Danner have such toxic things in his tea box?” The question hangs there until she stiffens. “How many nights did he bring me chamomile tea before bed, or lemon-ginger to help with morning sickness?”

“I think we need to talk to Danner,” I say quietly, dread building in my gut.

A prayer for the fruitless…

“When?”

I close the tea box lid, tucking it under my arm. “Now.”

We’re justoutside Danner’s room when Lex grabs me by the arm, pulling me aside. “Are you sure you’re ready for this? I know you’ve always had a closer relationship, but if this tea situation means what I think it does?—”

“I came to you,” I snap. “Immediately, I may add.”

Lex brushes his hair away from his face. He’d never admit it, but he wears it down specifically because it gives Red the warm tinglies. I can barely remember the last time he had it up. “I just know it’s been an emotional few months. Dealing with Father,learning about your biological family history, becoming a dad, and now Danner?—”

“Lex.” I try to keep the annoyance out of my voice as I grasp him by the shoulder.

He gives my hand a baffled look. “Yeah?”

“I know you’re trying out this new thing where you try to feel your emotions and stuff, but now isn’t the time.” I nod down the hall where Verity and Pace are waiting. “This has been going on too long.” Obviously, longer than we realized. “Let’s go do this.”

Eyes rolling, he nods, both of us watching as Pace unlocks the door.

A moment later we’re all pushing into the room, Danner’s eyes lighting up when he sees us. “Boys.” His smile is weak.He’sweak. Or maybe that’s what he wants us to think. Maybe it’s always been some demented act. “And Princess. How marvelous it is to see proof of your creation. My dear, you’re positively glowing with life.”

From the way her attention shifts, it’s obvious that if he hadn’t spoken, Verity wouldn’t have seen him tucked away in the dim corner of the room. And not just because Pace has positioned himself between them. We haven’t allowed her to see Danner since the attack, but now, trying to view him through her eyes, I imagine it’s a shock. Danner’s always been old, likeold-old, but he always managed his job with a certain grace and agility. Now, he’s a shadow of himself, pale skin wrinkled and withered. He seems smaller, but maybe that’s just the circumstances, an old man who’s finally about to have his reckoning.

Lex steps forward, lifting the box, and Danner’s expression instantly registers understanding.

“Ah, my tea box,” he says, reaching out with a shaky hand. “Belonged to my father.”

Lex sets the heavy box on Danner’s lap. “I’ve been running tests for weeks trying to figure out how the princesses died. There were no wounds, no bullet holes, signs of strangulation, or other trauma. It’s like they just faded away. But I realize I missed something.” He holds the old man’s eye. “Poison.”

“Purple Mercy,” Pace sneers.

“You were always a smart boy, Lagan.” He opens the lid and inhales deeply, expression softening. “I knew the day would come when you’d discover the truth. I just hoped I would be long gone before you did.”

“So you admit it,” Pace says, fists flexing. “You poisoned them.”

Danner nods, seeming more frail by the moment. I can’t tell if it’s a ruse or some kind of trick, because if what we suspect is true, then Danner isn’t just an accomplice to Father’s crimes.

He’s a perpetrator.

“How?” I ask sharply.

Danner removes the top tray to reveal the bottles underneath. “The nettle tea was my father’s recipe. It has many holistic purposes and anti-inflammatory properties and soothes a variety of irritations. It can also be used to encourage contractions, and over the years we attempted to assist princesses who were beyond their due date. Stinging Nettle, although a vicious little plant, was not used to harm those women.” He lifts another bottle out. “Purple Mercy had another purpose altogether. Think of me as monstrous if you like, but that’s exactly what it was.” He looks up. “A mercy.”

This seems to hit Verity the hardest, her eyes brimming with horrified tears. “But why?”

Danner looks tired, but he doesn’t shrink away from the question. “I already told you that he was relentless in his quest to create an heir, even if that meant using the failed princesses.”