"And if things don't go as planned," Katerina added with a dangerous smile, "we'll figure something out. We're good at improvising."
Maude smiled back, though hers was warmer and more genuine.
"Thank you. Both of you. For everything you've done. For believing in this."
"Thank us after you're confirmed to the Court," Elizabeth said.
"Until then, we still have work to do."
As the sisters left, heading to their own quarters within the keep, Katerina looked at her older sibling thoughtfully.
"Do you think she's right?" Katerina asked quietly.
"About the boy being a distraction?"
Elizabeth was silent for several moments.
"I think," she said finally, "that we're living in complicated times. The boy might be dangerous. The demons definitely are. And somehow, we need to address both threats without letting either one destroy us."
"That's not an answer."
"I know." Elizabeth's expression was troubled.
"But it's the best I have right now."
