"Fear," he says, loudly enough that he speaks over Childermass's attempt to give him a break. "Instability. Both of the Courts are still struggling with the aftermath of what your master started." He gives the Ringmaster a pointed glance. "And she... you. You're the only ones they can touch."

Going after the Summer Maiden is too risky, and going after the Winter Queen... That's something else entirely.

"One of your men... felt the need to share with me that the Winter Queen is untrustworthy. As if we didn't already know." His words become clipped with his obvious stress. "We've known that since before she ever ascended."