Lords of Trillium by Hilary Wagner

from your own skin, since when do you care about lives hanging in the balance?”
    â€œI’ve no doubt you haven’t forgotten Killdeer, his plans for you and your rats.”
    Her eyes flooding with hatred, Gwenfor spat bitterly on the pier. “How could I forget? We celebrated for days upon word of his death.” She took a step forward, trying to get a better look at him. “What’s different about you?” she asked, cocking her head curiously. “Your voice, it’s . . . calmer. And your eyes, they are not the same.”
    Billycan ignored her observations. “A rat from Killdeer’s reign has returned—one who wielded much power, but even more venom. She and members of her throng have infiltrated Nightshade. There will be bloodshed.”
    â€œWho?” demanded Gwenfor.
    â€œHecate,” he said coolly.
    â€œBut—but why?”
    â€œTo take power, of course, to reclaim the throne in Killdeer’s name—to kill any rat she feels has wronged her, from the most powerful rat in all of Nightshade down to the most innocent child. She is out for blood.”
    â€œElvi, what possible objection could you have to Texi being in the wedding?” asked Juniper. “She’s one of Clover’s dearest friends.”
    â€œAfter what Texi
did
I do not think you should reward her in such a way,” Elvi replied with conviction. “She hasn’t been able to concentrate on her studies since Clover asked her, dizzy with thoughts of dancing and merriment. How is she to pay for her crimes, if we indulge such folly?” She shook her head. “It’s utterly ridiculous.”
    â€œHer
crimes
?” said Juniper, incensed by the choice of word. He got up brusquely from his chair. “What Texi did, she only did to gain acceptance from her sisters—to feel loved. She thought she was doing the right thing, and in the end she protected Julius from them. Her heart has
always
been in the right place, and there is no crime in that!” He exhaled, not wanting to broach his mounting concerns with Elvi, but it was time. He lowered his voice. “Why must you be so hard on her? Of late you have
not
been yourself. You seem so angry, dare I say bitter, not the Elvi I know so well, not the one I grew up within the Catacombs.” He rubbed his brow. “We’ve all noticed it. There’s been talk among the Council. It’s clear to everyone. Many of the Council members have grown wary of you, afraid to speak their minds in your presence lest you explode.” He reclaimed his seat. “After the harsh life you endured in Tosca and all that happened last year, I’d think you’d be happy to have some peace, but you only stew with rage.”
    Getting up from her chair, Elvi fetched her teapot. She turned her back to Juniper, her mouth curling into a sneer. “I know I’ve been . . . cold lately.” She sighed. “Happiness is an elusive thing for a rat such as me. Every moment of joy I’ve ever felt has been stolen. Perhaps my heart has been stolen as well.”
    â€œElvi, I had no idea how deeply you’d been wounded,” said Juniper, watching her small, cloaked frame curl over her teapot. “You’ve always been so self-assured. I suppose it never occurred to me that your scars from the past could run so deep . . . and for that I am sorry. As for your stolen heart, I’m afraid it’s still very much with you. In fact, you’ve a bigger heart than any rat I know. Texi is proof of that. You’ve built up her confidence, and we are all grateful for that, but just as you’ve built her up, I’ve noticed she’s become rather dependent on you. It seems she can’t even breathe these days without asking your permission first. She needs to make up her own mind, make her
own
decisions.”
    Turning around with the sweetest of smiles, Elvi cocked