Driving the questioning was a reversal of roles for them, but Becka couldn’t help her curiosity, and Vott seemed eager to help. “Did you see who put the tea set out? Or anyone in the rooftop garden before I arrived?”
He shook his head. “Only fae and shifter guards were there. But I remember which ones.”
Quinn stepped into the room. “Can you list them off for me?”
“The enforcers are doing interrogations now,” Maura explained.
Vott’s eyes widened. “Interrogations at House Rowan?”
Elder Alaetha whipped open a hand fan, closing her eyes against her self-generated wind. No doubt the vitriolic elder was appalled, but Becka was grateful she hadn’t jumped into the conversation.
“It’s no worse than a poisoner,” Maura replied, and then sighed dramatically. “Besides, the council outvoted me.”
“Ahh,” he said. Vott turned to Quinn. “Shamus and Luce were with me, but they arrived when I did. There were a pair of house guards, Beore and Oba, who appeared to be walking perimeter and watching the distance for… whatever it is guards watch for?”
“Thank you, Duke Vott,” Quinn replied. He pulled out his phone and stepped out of the room. Becka heard the rumble of his voice speaking in short, clipped tones.
No doubt those four would be next for the hot seat, assuming they hadn’t been there already.
“It’s unfortunate you didn’t see anyone else,” Becka said.
Vott started to say something, and then coughed, a deep, rattling sound. Maura held out a cup for him to take a sip, which seemed to help.
“I am in agreement,” Vott whispered, his voice hoarse from lack of use. “But there is one conversation I remember which stands out in my mind.”
Becka leaned forward on her elbows. “What conversation?”
“When dear Hanna Hawthorne delivered the tea, such a touching gift, really, knowing my proclivities for fine teas, I wasn’t alone. Your brother, Calder, and his paramour, Alvilda, were in my study visiting. I’d mentioned to Calder that I planned to share the tea with you, and then I had talked about how well you have been progressing in your training.”
“Astrid declared Becka guilded just yesterday,” Maura replied.
“I’m so impressed with you. You’ve been doing so well.” He smiled up at Becka, looking every part the proud father.
Becka nodded, basking in her father’s long-sought praise. The moment of joy was tainted by the knowledge that he’d hear about the accident with Hanna and the subsequent impending political war with House Hawthorne.
“Anyway, after Hanna left, Calder spoke to me at length, questioning your position as heir and returning to the manor. His words were heated, and his demeanor unseemly.”
Vott’s admission hit her with the cadence of truth. “Calder and I have spoken a couple of times recently. Although I know from our early exchanges when I’d returned to House Rowan that he didn’t want me back, it seems he’s come to a level of acceptance. Just this morning he behaved in a borderline gracious manner towards me. I can’t imagine he would have poisoned me the night before and then been so kind today.”
Unless he was playing me.
Vott shook his head and threw up his hands. “I could have read it wrong, Becka. But when Maura told me you’d been poisoned yet again, he was honestly the first person to come to mind.”
“I can’t believe you’d point an accusatory finger at our son,” Maura replied, scowling. “He’s a passionate lad, and given to delusions of his own importance, but no poisoner.”
Vott smiled at Maura, and they grasped hands more tightly. “I’m sure you’re right, my dear. Goodness, his paramour, Alvilda, is well-matched for him in that department. She had nothing kind to say of Becka either.”
A chill ran down Becka’s spine. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Oh, every time Calder would lament something, Alvilda would chime in with gusto, parroting his fervor. She sounded like she disliked you more than Calder did, which is ridiculous, as you barely know each other.”
Becka looked up, seeking Quinn, who stood just inside the doorway listening to every word. Becka gave him a “no, it couldn’t be” shrug. He arched a brow and pursed his lips with a “maybe” reply shrug.
Maura shook her head. “Then she’s exactly the wrong partner for our son. He needs someone who’s grounded and level-headed to counter his emotional outbursts.”
Vott’s perspective of Alvilda didn’t fit with Becka’s. Alvilda had always been standoffish or polite to Becka, but instead her father painted her as hateful.
“I’ve seen her hanging on Calder’s arm, and I was at a picnic with her a day or two ago, well before the second poisoning. She wasn’t overly warm, but not quarrelsome either,” Becka replied. “We should speak with her,” she said to Quinn.
“You should let Vott get some rest,” said Illan, strolling into the room with a large glass of something likely vile for Vott to down.
Becka released Vott’s hand and rose to leave before the healer might get any ideas on another similar dose of tonic for herself.
“It’s good to see you well again,” Becka said. “I’ll be by again tomorrow.”
Vott eyed the healer’s concoction with due concern. “Yes, dear. Maybe bring some tea?”
She gasped. “After what it’s done to you, you’d drink tea again?”
He smiled a weak, sad smile. “One cannot blame the tea for the poisoner’s actions, and I love it too much to give it up.”
Becka nodded. “I can do that.”
Becka and Quinn walked out of the infirmary and headed back towards the library where the interrogations were happening.
“Do you think Calder is involved in the poisoning?” Becka asked.
“No, but he’s up to be tested soon,” Quinn replied. “We’ll want to be there for that.”
“Definitely,” Becka replied. “You heard Vott speaking of Alvilda and how much she dislikes me? Could she be a suspect?”
“Yes. Your arrival back into the house prevented her lover from becoming heir. She might have thought, with you out of the
