9

9

M y corset felt too tight. Likely because it was, despite Mira’s repeated assurance to the contrary. I wasn’t used to wearing them, but she insisted on it. The black silk gown she and her spiders had woven beautifully complemented the necklace Tauren gave me, which she insisted I wear as a gesture of gratitude. The dress was strapless and dramatic, and not at all what I imagined wearing while meeting the King and Queen of Nautilus.

I honestly hadn’t given much thought to them at all before Tauren mentioned we’d be dining privately with the royal family. I’d only thought of the bleeding wishbone and a pair of curious golden eyes.

When I objected to showing too much skin, Mira balked, saying that the Queen herself would be showing more. “I want to look like me,” I argued. “If I show up looking like all the other invitees, the King and Queen might assume I’m after the crown. We’re walking a very delicate line, and I’d rather not be responsible for shattering whatever fragile understanding Thirteen has with the Kingdom.”

Conceding to my wish, Mira spelled her glass spiders and whispered for them to weave a high neck and delicate sleeves out of sheer black fabric. After lifting my hair out of the way, they knit it quickly. In the time it took Mira to find a suitable pair of shoes, they’d completed their work and waited patiently for her on my shoulder. She whispered a spell that transformed them back to glass, and tucked them into her pocket before placing a pair of black heels on the floor. The heels were even higher than the last pair, the black as glossy as a beetle’s back, but there was no dagger hidden along the backs.

“Just wear them,” she chirped. “They’ll look incredible. You’ll even stand a few inches taller.” After clasping the necklace and adding a few silver rings on my fingers, she held up a pair of gloves that would match the gown. “Do you want these?”

I shook my head, choosing to keep my hands bare.

“You don’t think the King and Queen have anything to do with it, do you?” Mira asked, her eyes widening.

“I certainly hope not.” If a member of Tauren’s own family wants him dead, how can I possibly prevent it? They have constant access to him.

The clock began to chime, striking the hour of dinner, and Mira pushed me across the room and out the door, closing it behind us. She wore a simple, black cotton dress and Brecan emerged from his room in a black suit .

“Why aren’t you wearing your House colors?” I asked them. Mira had the ability to weave anything; why did she choose something so plain?

“Because while we are here serving as your escorts, we represent you, not our Houses,” Brecan replied primly. “And we can’t look like your equals. We need to blend into the background, not steal the show.”

“I’m sure Ela and Wayra will be thrilled when they see you,” I deadpanned.

Mira giggled. “Bay won’t be upset. It was his idea. Ethne will love it, too.”

Fire and Water agreeing with one another? I was shocked to hear it.

But now it made sense why Wayra and Bay each sent an escort. The Houses were split. Water and Fire versus Earth and Air. The two opposing sides were equally represented with Brecan and Mira.

We walked together through the hallway to the stairs, taking them carefully down to the main floor, where we were met by a woman in white who asked us to follow her. She led us farther into the castle where everything was white and gold and shiny. The ceilings boasted immaculately painted frescoes with clouds and cherubs that looked so real, I thought they might swoop down and pinch our cheeks for sport.

The panels that lined the walls were inlaid with gold flake. The white marble floors shone like glass, pure and clean, in stark contrast to our dark apparel.

We finally arrived at a pair of tall double doors that parted when the woman knocked. The room held nothing but a blunt, rectangular table.

The royal family was already seated .

All conversation stopped when my heels clicked on the floor. Tauren stood and straightened his jacket, gesturing to the seats next to him. His father and mother stood, and I noticed that although they weren’t wearing crowns, their clothing matched. Each wore deep teal suits, hers more femininely cut than his. The insignia of Nautilus had been sewn into their jackets, directly over each of their hearts.

Tauren was as tall as his father, but where his eyes were molten gold, the King’s were the color of burnt toffee. There was kindness, but also something weary in their depths.

The King’s eyes reminded me of Tauren’s brother, whom I hadn’t seen since the night of the Equinox. I hadn’t seen him since I arrived or been formally introduced to him yet, and there was no setting at the table for him.

King Lucius and Queen Annalina returned the bow I gave. Her golden hair was the same hue as the eye color she’d passed to her son. Tauren stood proudly next to them as they greeted us.

“Miss Sable,” the King hailed, holding out his hand for mine.

A flash of bitter pain shot through my middle just before he placed a kiss on the back of my hand. It disappeared as quickly as it pierced through me, but the feeling flustered me. When I regained my wits, I was still clinging to the King’s hand. He’d kissed the back of mine, which I gathered was a custom here. I couldn’t deny the fact that I had enjoyed the attention from the Prince, even though I knew Tauren hadn’t meant anything by greeting me that way. He’d probably kissed the backs of a thousand ladies’ hands.

I pushed the thought away and returned my hand awkwardly to my side. “King Lucius,” I replied. His eyes shimmered kindly, but I didn’t miss the worried glance he slid to his wife.

The Queen’s eyes were sharper. She gave my hand a quick shake and offered a brief smile before dismissing me to greet Mira just as coolly. She barely even deigned to speak to Brecan.

My eyes unfocused as I looked at Queen Annalina’s forced smile.

A feeling, not one of pain or shock, but one of wariness clung to my fingertips. The Queen cleared her throat and I blinked out of the daze of attempting to clasp onto the fleeting feeling. Though interrupted in my reading, I knew it would linger and I could further explore it privately, later.

Tauren placed another kiss on my hand and leaned in to whisper, “To erase my father’s.” I swallowed thickly as he guided me to the seat beside his. Shivers radiated from the spot where his hand warmed my lower back.

Brecan and Mira settled into the chairs situated across from us, while the King and Queen sat at either end.

With a nod of the King’s royal head, the servants sprang into action, bustling to and from the kitchen. Ice water was poured into our glasses. Long stemmed glasses of wine were placed in front of us. Hors d’oeuvres were served, and once we were all satisfied, a calm fell over the table .

King Lucius regarded me for a long moment. I studied him just as shrewdly. His hair was as dark as Tauren’s, but some strands had turned to salt, especially around his temples. Deep wrinkles bracketed his mouth and streaked across his forehead. As he opened his mouth, the worry lines deepened further. “I won’t bother lying to you, my dear, as I’m sure you could see through any falsehood I attempted.”

I inclined my head in thanks, waiting for him to continue.

“My son explained what happened on the night of the Equinox. In detail.” I opened my mouth to defend my actions, but he stopped me. “Thank you for coming.”

The scowl the Queen had fixed on me deepened, and she flinched with each of her husband’s words.

I expected him to chastise me for hanging one of their citizens in front of hundreds of others. If I weren’t seated, his words would have knocked me off balance.

The Queen spoke. “You truly believe someone wishes Tauren harm?”

“I don’t simply believe it,” I answered. “I know it to be true.”

“Then I think,” the King began, “that your visit couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.”

“What does that mean, exactly?” I asked, glancing at Tauren. He sat rigidly beside me, regarding his father.

“It means that your presence is crucial. Not only can you protect my son, you can help us in other ways. The Circle has been very… stubborn in the recent negotiations we’ve had with them. Perhaps, your being here and reporting back about the way you are welcomed and treated, would ease tensions somewhat. ”

If he thought my grandmother would listen to anything I had to say, he was sorely mistaken.

“Why have you spoken to the Circle at all? What were you negotiating?”

Queen Annalina took control of the conversation. “The Circle would like for us to find another way to send exiles to the wild lands, instead of routing them through Thirteen. But, you see, there simply is no other way. Thirteen is the final Sector, and the only one that completely encircles the Kingdom – with the exception of the area where the sea extends inland. Exiles must pass through somewhere.”

“They always have. Why is there an issue now?” I asked.

“The Circle believes that many of the persons being exiled should be put to death. That their crimes are heinous enough to warrant execution instead of banishment,” she said.

“Are they?”

“We don’t believe in taking lives, though I know your stance on the matter is rather different.” She daintily sipped from her wine glass.

“Why can’t you sail them to the wild lands?”

Tauren asked, “Yes, Mother. Why can’t we sail them to the wilds?”

Has he already suggested the same?

“Because it would be costly to do so,” she snipped.

“Surely, there aren’t that many people being banished each month.”

“There have been recently,” the King confirmed, his harsh tone effectively ending the conversation. A sheen of sweat broke out on his forehead. I almost asked if he was feeling well, but was interrupted when our entrees were served.

The gentleman who brought mine lifted the silver dome with a flourish. Roast beef, string beans, and carrots. A pale sauce lay over the meat. “Can you eat it?” Tauren whispered sheepishly. “I should have asked whether you had dietary restrictions.”

“I have no restrictions, but thank you.”

His eyes flicked to Brecan and Mira.

“They’re fine, too.”

Mira was already savoring a carrot while Brecan stared between me and Tauren.

“Why the shift?” Brecan asked bluntly, bringing up the sore subject again. “Why are there more being banished than ever?”

“Laws haven’t changed, nor has our enforcement of them. However, it seems that more are choosing to break them than ever,” Tauren gently explained.

“Because there isn’t punishment severe enough to deter them,” Brecan replied.

The King sat his utensils down and leveled Brecan with a glare. “Mr. Brecan, why exactly are you here? Who are you to Miss Sable?”

“Her escort,” he answered shortly.

“And what would an escort and citizen from the Thirteenth Sector know about ruling the Kingdom from which they attempt to remain separate?” King Lucius asked.

Brecan surprised me by offering an apology. “Nothing, Sire. Pardon my interruption.”

I knew he hated every second of being here. Of dining with the rulers of our kingdom, of even admitting we were part of it. But he was steadfastly playing the role for which he volunteered.

“Nautilus has enjoyed centuries of peace, but slowly, things are going awry – within the Kingdom, instead of without. There is a chasm between the upper and lower sectors, which widens by the day.”

“They’re too separate,” I said quietly.

The King nodded. “And Thirteen has nearly cleaved itself from us entirely. In the past, the witches and non-magical always worked together. But now? It is becoming harder to even speak with the Circle members. The four of them walked out during our last meeting, and haven’t replied to any correspondences I’ve sent since. I’m starting to believe they might secede from us altogether. Have you heard any talk of it?”

I hadn’t, but I wondered if Brecan had and didn’t mention it to me. “I am not a member of the Circle, and as such, am not privy to their conversations.” I glanced at Brecan pointedly, but his expression gave nothing away.

My stomach began to churn. I had no idea there was such strife between the crown and the Circle. I smoothed my palms down the satin fabric covering my legs as everyone chewed in strained silence.

Queen Annalina sawed her carrots into tiny bites and chewed each bite thoroughly. I took this quiet moment to read the residue her touch left behind on my palm. It explained why each time her eyes met mine, disdain roiled within their depths. She and Tauren were close, and he never mentioned to her that he would extend an invitation to me. But it was also because I was from Thirteen. Because I was… different from the other wi tches with whom she’d come into contact, though she couldn’t place how.

Her eyes snapped to mine as if she knew what I’d felt from her. I held them for a beat and looked to the King, calling on his residue. Lucius was firm, but not cruel like his father had been. He wondered if that was why there was a growing unrest within the Kingdom, and within his chest. He eased a palm over his heart and swallowed a wince. He was angry with Tauren for extending an invitation to me at first, but what was done, was done. Now, he planned to use it to his advantage.

There was something else about them both, an underlying apprehension. I wasn’t sure what caused it. They’d seemed welcoming enough, considering the fact that my presence must have surprised them.

I ate slowly, focusing as much as possible at those around the table. Mira was in heaven with the unexpected flavors of the meal and the general splendor of the palace she’d seen from afar, but never close up.

Brecan… I didn’t want to know what he was feeling.

Under the table, Tauren’s fingers brushed over mine, igniting a fire over my skin. “Is the meal to your liking?”

“Yes,” I said, after clearing my throat. “It’s delicious.”

He grinned. “Wait until you taste the dessert.”

“There’s dessert?” Mira excitedly gripped the table’s edge.

“Your favorite,” Queen Annamarie told Lucius. The two were obviously in love. The way he looked at her was more than a stiff thank you . There was appreciation, gratefulness – not for what she’d requested for him, but that she’d thought of him at all .

A tender look passed between them, and the Queen’s smile lit the room. She was truly lovely. A ruler plucked from the sectors. From Five, according to Mira’s chatter as she’d dressed me for dinner. Her family were renowned sculptors. Did she feel as comfortable with a hammer and chisel in her hands as she did holding a scepter? Was that why every time she looked at me, her face looked more like marble than skin and bone?

King Lucius’s favorite dessert was decadent and delicious. Fit for a king, but simple. I wasn’t sure if it was pudding, sweet bread, or a mixture of both, but the hard sugar crust was my favorite part. I hadn’t eaten much of my dinner, but scraped the small dish that had held my dessert until no speck of the confection remained. With the last swipe of my spoon on the ceramic, I looked up to see that everyone was staring. Even Tauren, who wore a smile.

“You like sugar,” he guessed.

“I don’t eat it often, so this was a treat,” I explained, my cheeks blazing under their attention.

When dinner was over, the King and Queen excused themselves, each promising to speak with me soon. I just can’t wait for those conversations , I thought dryly.

Tauren leaned in to me. “The invitees are waiting in another room. I need to greet them briefly.”

“How generous of you to spare a moment of your time for them,” Brecan said derisively.

Tauren straightened. “If you cannot mind your tongue, Brecan, I will have you replaced.”

Brecan fumed, but remained silent. I wondered how long he could hold his tongue, and if Tauren would follow through on the threat if pushed far enough .

“Tauren, go meet with them,” I said, trying to smooth the tension Brecan’s fat mouth had caused.

“That’s the thing… I need you to accompany me,” he replied apologetically.

“Do you fear them?” I asked.

“Not at all, but you are an invitee, technically, and this first informal meeting will be filmed.”

“I need to be present,” I said, finally understanding what he meant.

“I need you at my side,” he corrected.

As Tauren and I left Brecan in the hallway and readied ourselves to step into an intimate sitting room, he took hold of my hand. Startled, I pulled away. “I’m not sure that’s a very good idea, Prince. You’ll be marrying one of these women.”

“You’re right.” His face flushed, but he schooled his features and held the door open for me. I stepped inside, feeling his legs brush the skirt of my dress. His closeness was confusing, setting me at ease and on edge all at once.

Every woman in the room zoomed in on us, as did the cameras’ wide lenses. I stepped away from him, walking to the side of the room and perching against a wall as he spoke to the group.

“Ladies, thank you very much for accepting my invitation,” he began, sweeping his eyes across the room. “This year, I break with tradition. This year, I’ve extended an invitation to thirteen women, one from each of Nautilus’s sectors. Miss Sable,” inclining his head toward me, “is from Thirteen. And before you ask, yes, she is a witch.” His smile gleamed as he looked at each of them in turn, then to me.

Must he state the obvious? I cringed, even as I plastered on a grateful smile and peered around the room of women who were not only beautiful, but ruthless. Some dismissed me at first glance. Others saw me as a threat.

Brecan silently slithered into the room, moving out of sight of the cameras, and many of the women nonchalantly glanced in his direction. They were in for a treat. Not only was Tauren handsome, but now they could ogle Brecan as well. The two couldn’t be more different. And not just in the light and dark hues of their hair, but in their demeanors. They were from two different worlds that existed within the same kingdom.

Tauren stared at me, and when I caught the heat of his stare, he ticked his head toward the women. Each and every one was lovely. Each was beautiful and unique. Red hair and pale skin, dark skin and pale hair, freckles and those without a single freckle to be found. All of them, I realized, wore pastel colors.

Our party was the only one wearing a dark hue… with the exception of the Prince. He also wore black, though a crisp, white shirt peeked out from beneath his coat. His ensemble somehow bridged a gap between them and me.

Mira was right. All the women’s dresses accentuated their breasts. I was shocked a few hadn’t spilled out of their corsets entirely.

Before I knew it, Brecan stood beside me. “Let the game begin,” he whispered, flashing me a look I couldn’t read. He wasn’t wrong, though I doubted any of these women were capable of murder .

With the official greeting concluded, everyone chatted together, most sticking with the familiar and conversing with their escorts. The cameramen looked bored.

Tauren made his way around the room, stopping on my right side when he reached me and keeping his distance from Brecan, whom he shot a dark look. “Didn’t we agree you would remain in the hallway?”

Brecan smiled. “My duty is to Sable alone.”

Tauren let it go. He leaned in close. “See anyone who looks suspicious?”

“Not in the least,” I replied, looking at the women.

“That’s what I thought. I’d like you to meet some of the staff after dinner, maybe shake a few hands?” he asked, brows raised.

“That’s fine.”

He nodded and cleared his throat, leaning back against the wall and surveying the room. He looked uncomfortable slouching and soon stood up straight again, striding back to the front of the room.

“I have a small gift for each of you. Well, it’s a gift, but also a way to help me keep you all straight.” The ladies tittered as if he’d told the funniest joke they’d ever heard. Thirteen servants, wearing stark-white uniforms, entered the room, each carrying a white box. Every box was tied with a white bow except for mine, which was tied with a black one. I couldn’t help but smile.

“Untie them,” Tauren encouraged with a broad smile.

Every girl tugged at her ribbon and removed the lid to her box, revealing a silver bracelet within each one. Mine was engraved with the number thirteen. “Our sectors,” the redhead from Sector One flirted. “How clever.”

While the women clamped the bracelets onto their tiny wrists, I placed mine back in the box and waited until they were finished stroking Tauren’s ego. He stood and gave a bow. “I’d like to thank you all for accepting my invitation and formally welcome you to my home. For one of you, this will be your future home.”

The girls sucked in a collective gasp as if they didn’t already know this. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. When I looked back at Tauren, he was smiling at me.

“I look forward to spending time with each of you, getting to know you and seeing if there is a spark between us. For this evening, I’m sure you’re tired. It’s been a very long and exciting day. I’ll send a staff member around tomorrow morning with a detailed schedule, so that you can plan for time with me and for your free time, of course. The palace has much to offer, and I hope you’ll enjoy your stay, no matter how brief or long it may be.” He gave a wave. “Good evening, ladies.”

The girls filed out and met their escorts in the hallway, whispering about how handsome the Prince was and how he’d given them a special smile or pointed them out during introductions, most of which was complete garbage. He hadn’t done anything overtly special for any of them, as far as I could tell.

Mira, who had obediently stayed in the hall, met my eyes. “You were more beautiful than any of them. I bet Prince Tauren is lamenting our customs right about now.”

Brecan huffed .

“Did you see their dresses?” she asked, giving me an I-told-you-so look. “They were practically spilling out of them. You looked like a queen compared to those girls.”

“I am no queen, and I’m not a slab of meat for sale. I’d prefer to be modest, even if it’s unfashionable.”

She nodded. “Then we make your fashion the talk of the Kingdom. We make your style exquisite. Everyone will be dressing like you by spring,” she gushed.

I didn’t think I would ever become a fashion icon, but I let her dream it was possible. I waved Brecan in. “I have to meet with some of the staff this evening. You’re welcome to go back to your rooms and do… whatever it is you do. I can handle the readings by myself.”

Mira let out a thankful breath. “I’m exhausted.”

“I’m going with you,” Brecan asserted.

“No, you aren’t. Not after the way you acted earlier.”

He snorted. “I was just informing the Prince of your predicament.”

“All evening you’ve acted like a child.”

Brecan grinned cruelly. “Is it childish to stand up for you? For our beliefs? Or have you forgotten them because the pretty prince extended a fake invitation so he could use you?”

My hand twitched at my side. For the first time in my life, I wanted to smack his face. To scream for him to take back his vile words. But how could I, when he was right?

Mira looked between me and Brecan and then let out a fake yawn. “I’m so sleepy. I’m turning in early.” She grabbed my arm and leaned in to whisper, “If you need me, just knock. I’m not really going to sleep. I have work to do. ”

I nodded and glanced back at Brecan, who had crossed his arms. He looked so strange in black when I was used to seeing him in airy blue. Not only had his garments darkened, but so had his demeanor. Ever since I told him I wouldn’t hand-fast to him, he’d been combative. And now he was jealous of Tauren when he had absolutely no reason to be. Tauren was using me, like Brecan said. Or rather, he was using my abilities. I couldn’t blame him. If I were in his position, and I didn’t want to die a painful, tragic death at a young age, I’d do everything in my power to stop it.

Mira walked away from us, heading in the direction of the staircase that led to our rooms.

“I am escorting you,” Brecan insisted. “The Circle gave me very specific instructions, and I will follow them to the letter.”

“Fine,” I acquiesced.

His head ticked back. “I expected you to put up more of a fight.”

“I don’t want to fight with you, Brecan,” I answered wearily. “I just want to figure out who wants the Prince dead and go home. I have so much work to do on the House, and I’ll never get finished if I don’t get started.”

The tension in his muscles melted away after hearing my words.

“How do you know you can find this person?” he asked. “They obviously don’t want to be found.”

“It’s not up to them. It’s up to Fate.”

He pinched his lips together. “What if Fate wants Tauren dead?”

I swallowed, refusing to let the visions of him dying surface… “He told me to come here. Why would he send me if he wanted the Prince to die? If he wanted Tauren dead, he would have given me the order while he was in Thirteen on the Equinox.”

“Maybe he wants you to take the fall for it. Maybe you’ve lost his favor,” he shrugged.

A deep breath flew from my lungs, deflating me. “Why are you being so cruel?”

He closed his eyes. “I’m not trying to be. I’m just trying to get you to see what’s right in front of you.”

Brecan was the only thing in front of me.

Just then, the door swung open and Tauren strode in, staring between me and Brecan. “Did I interrupt?”

I said no at the same time Brecan answered yes .

Rolling my eyes, I walked to Tauren. “I assume the staff is ready?”

“Yes, but they don’t know what you can do. I asked a few of the other girls to greet them, so you don’t stand out.” He glanced at my chest where his necklace lay on my collarbone. “It looks beautiful on you.”

“Thank you. I’m still not sure I should accept it. The other girls are actually competing for you. I’m just here to help.”

He smiled and put his hands in his pockets. “Then you are the most deserving of all. Besides, I haven’t given any of the other girls anything but the bracelets.”

His admission sent moths aflutter in my stomach. I had to stop letting that happen. Somehow.

He looked to my wrist, his brows furrowing when he saw I wasn’t wearing my bangle.

Brecan patted the pocket of his coat. “It’s safe, Highness. ”

“Right.” Tauren placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me down the corridor. To the right, another pair of doors opened. The expanse of the space was only broken by the strategically placed, stark white columns that supported the ceiling.

The assembled staff stood in a large rectangle in the middle of the room. All of them wore starched white pants, and either button-up shirts or sweaters to match. The group was very diverse, made up of different ages and races. Most wore a smile, but you could tell in the way they stood up taller when Tauren entered the room that they were proud of what they did. It wasn’t a fear response; it was a desire to please him and prove they were deserving of their positions.

Two of the other girls were making their way around the room, shaking hands with everyone and making polite, inane conversation. Their smiles were almost as fake as their feigned interest. Tauren lit up at the sight. Apparently, he was oblivious to the fact that these girls couldn’t care less about his staff or being forced to shake their hands.

As he escorted me around the rectangle, Fate remained quiet.

I shook hand after hand and held on a few extra seconds to ask them questions about their duties or their family. Most were genuinely happy to work at the palace. Others, though they would never admit it aloud, weren’t happy to work there, but enjoyed the life it provided their families. A few were dissatisfied. I clung to their hands the longest, but found that none of the unhappy staff members were disturbed enough to kill the Prince. And like I’d seen upon walking in the room, even if the person wasn’t happy, they wanted Tauren to be King. They respected the royal family, even if they didn’t particularly enjoy their assigned jobs.

As I finished shaking the last staff member’s hand, I turned to Tauren, who was standing near the door with the other two invitees. His brows were raised in question, but I shook my head. No one I’d shaken hands with wanted him dead.

“Miss Sable,” he called out. “I’d like for you to meet the ladies from Sectors One and Two, Rose and Leah.”

Both women wore silk gloves. Palm to palm was the easiest way to read a person, but skin to skin worked well enough. Instead of taking their hands, I bent in to hug them, my hands clasping gently onto their upper arms.

“I’m Rose,” the buxom redhead chirped.

“Sable,” I answered.

On contact, images filled my mind.

Rose was famous. Her red hair was always twisted into bouncy, loose curls and she would touch them to draw attention to her face or breasts. It worked, most of the time. Through my mind I saw video cameras following her around, flashes from photographers’ cameras, her pictures in the printed press.

She was a sensation. Very popular with the core four sectors, and she believed the public was behind her bid to be Princess. She often pictured herself as Queen, but she wasn’t going to sit idly by and leave it to chance. She had her wardrobe planned. When she was given her schedule in the morning, she planned to use it to her advantage and not only make the most of her time with Tauren, but interrupt the time he spent with the other ladies—accidentally on purpose, of course .

She wanted the crown, but she didn’t want Tauren dead. He was her way into the royal family.

“My name is Leah,” the girl from Two stated. “Nice to meet you, Sable.”

I shook Leah’s hand and read from her touch… Leah from Two, with mocha skin and hair, was beautiful in a way that Rose wasn’t, yet Leah was the girl who wanted to be like Rose. People in the Kingdom knew who she was. She had the occasional article written or telecast taped about her philanthropic projects, but in the end, she wasn’t as outgoing as Rose. Her personality was dry, and though the Kingdom liked her, they didn’t love her. She was jealous. A little bitter. But she wasn’t upset with Tauren.

Rose? She hated Rose. She hated everyone who stood in her way. Even me, apparently. She smiled sweetly and shrugged my hand off, taking a step back.

“So nice to meet you,” Rose said, flipping her fiery red locks over one creamy shoulder. Tauren’s eyes caught the movement.

“Yes, so nice,” Leah parroted with slightly less enthusiasm. “I’m glad they included Thirteen this year.”

No, you aren’t, sweetheart, but whatever you want to say to make the Prince like you…

“It truly is an honor,” I replied obediently.

Tauren’s eyes twinkled with orneriness. “I didn’t think she would accept my invitation, to be honest.”

Rose turned to him and put an arm on his chest. “A woman would have to be a fool to reject you.”

He smiled at me. “Well then, I’m grateful that Sable isn’t the least bit foolish.”

Her hand curled away from his chest at the sound of my name .

Rose turned and gave me a half smile. “Absolutely.”

Leah waited, her hands clasped meekly in front of her. “Thank you for introducing us to your staff, Prince Tauren.”

“They are very important to me. Without them, the palace would crumble.”

Rose scrunched her nose. “That’s a bit dramatic.”

“No,” he said, “it isn’t. Things run seamlessly because of their dedication. It would be important for any queen to not only know, but appreciate those who help support us every hour of the day.”

Rose swallowed and pasted on another artificial smile.

Leah pounced. “A king is only as good as the people who lift him up.”

Tauren grinned. “Well said, Leah.”

Leah won that battle. I wondered who would ultimately win the war, and Tauren’s hand in marriage.

Mira was right. The battle would be an entertaining one to watch. The minxes’ claws had already come out.

“It’s getting late, ladies,” Tauren announced. “I’m sure your escorts are ready to relax a little.”

In the corner of the room next to Brecan stood two middle-aged women, both dressed in pastel pantsuits that matched their charges’ gowns. Neither had a hair out of place. Their posture was straight and tall, while Brecan slumped against the wall, hands in his pant pockets, watching me intently.

Rose and Leah said their goodbyes to the Prince, who kissed each of them on the back of their hand and promised to spend one-on-one time with each very soon. I thought the girls might fake a swoon, but they remained composed.

Rose paused at the doorway. “Do you want to walk with us, Sable?” she asked sweetly.

Her eyes flicked between me and Tauren, but he answered for me. “Actually, I have a question for Sable about Sector Thirteen. If you wouldn’t mind offering another moment of your time to answer, that is,” he added, bowing to me.

“I’d be happy to.”

Rose’s fake smile fell away. “Then have a good evening, Prince.”

“You too,” he threw over his shoulder, already dismissing her from his mind.

Leah and Rose whispered as they left the room. No doubt they’d spread a wildfire of rumors. By morning, the whole palace might be reduced to cinders.

“You felt nothing?” he asked.

“From those two? No. They want to be Princess, not ruin their chances by killing you.”

“Then maybe it’s not one of the invitees,” he mused.

“It wouldn’t be likely,” Brecan interjected, pushing away from the wall and walking toward us. “I’m sure you have enemies outside these walls, though. Anyone you’d like for us to seek out?”

“None that would be safe for Sable to meet with.”

“I assure you that Sable and I can handle her safety,” Brecan asserted.

“I won’t place her in harm’s way. Besides, the groups of dissenters we know of have wanted my father and me dead for years. They want to bring democracy back to the Kingdom, and aren’t shy about their desires. Their threats come weekly; sometimes we receive several a week.”

“Then who’s to say it isn’t one of them?” Brecan argued.

Fate finally showed up to the party. A bitter, horrible taste filled my mouth. “It’s someone closer...”

Tauren’s brows furrowed. “That’s what I was afraid of.”

I fastened my attention on the flavor… “I don’t know that it’s an invitee, but it’s someone within the palace. Do me a favor and let me smell anything you eat or drink.”

Fate took the bitterness off my tongue. The person who wanted Tauren dead would strike soon. Perhaps with poison.