For a long moment, he stared into her eyes, weighing what she said with them as well as her voice, steady as steel. Finally, he seemed to come to a conclusion, nodding to himself.

"I cannot let you into the palace on your word," he said carefully, but not unkindly, "but if you will consent to wait in the London Sanctuary, I will send for your friend."

With a hand, he gestured behind him, through the gates, toward the Isle with the glimmering red river.