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Frexin held a fan poised delicately in one hand, while the other fiddled with something in her pocket. She looked over her shoulder. "No need to worry about that, my dear. I expected as much and have already put in the paperwork for his suspension." Sighing, she turned back to me and winked. "I've also begun spreading a juicy rumor he's going mad like the parents that abandoned him. Anything permanent will take time, but I may be able to convince King Torsten to put him on another leave of absence in the meantime …"
I nodded, trying to ignore the concern twisting in my gut.
She said she'd handle it.
"Now," she said, a bright smile curling her lips. "Are you ready to receive your Arbiter's Medal?" She withdrew a small black velvet box from her pocket.
I winced.
We both knew a medal was the last thing I wanted. But she had patrons to impress, and medals were an easy way to signal prestige to the fools.
"Jaiel said something about being cleared for active duty," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Always so focused on the work." She laughed, the sound soft and tinkling as she popped open the box. "You know, I may be concerned if it wasn't exactly what I taught you." She gestured toward the doors behind her. "Wear this medal from King Torsten for the evening to remind those aristocrats of the importance of our work. Most are shallow and only admire those who appear to be in demand. So you'll need to be your most gracious and outgoing self."
"Gracious? Outgoing?" I cocked my brow. Those two words had never been used to describe me.
Lady Frexin chuckled. "Just drink some champagne, fake a few laughs, and dance until your feet ache. Do all that, and we'll meet in my office at 8:30 to talk about the mission." She leaned forward and dropped her voice to a whisper. "It has the potential to be the most important one yet."
I stared at the medal, a stone sword representing King Torsten, one of the three kings. It was gaudy and terrible. But if it allowed me to get back in the field — to getting back to hunting twisted relics? And an important mission, at that?
"Pin me," I bit out, unclenching my fists.
Lady Frexin smiled, eyes crinkling at the corners as she clipped the medal to my bodice. "It truly is the perfect medal for our Savior of Karemi."
Screams … the stench of rot and decay … and that caw, so pure sounding, yet full of such malice …
I dug my fingernails into my palms and forced my thoughts back to the present.
"You know I hate that title," I hissed. "Is there no way to get rid of it?"
Shaking her head, she slid her arm into mine and led us to the stairs. "Afraid not. King Torsten picked it himself. Plus, it sounds impressive."
"But I didn't actually save anyone."
Quite the opposite, in fact.
"The people don't care about that." She shrugged. "They just want a hero to look at. Plus, I know the real value of your work. Your efforts in Karemi have shaved at least a decade off our plans." She squeezed my arm proudly. "If we play the next few months right, the world I've dreamed of for so long may finally be within reach." Tilting her head, she looked up at me. "Besides, are you really going to complain after all we've accomplished these last two years?"
Wincing, I stuffed away my misgivings. Lady Frexin was right.
Letting out a sharp sigh, I refocused on the mission at hand. I could do this. Dance with a few people. Small talk. Act normal. Then I'd be free.
"Oh, I almost forgot, dear," Frexin said, looking over at me. "I spoke with that assistant of yours, and she's worked very hard to fill your dance card with appropriate patrons."
I bit my cheek. Of course she had.
"The first dance is with Prince Jaiel." She grinned slyly. "His popularity will be the perfect hook for gathering the aristocrat's admiration. So put aside whatever grudge the two of you have for a bit. Your involvement in the new mission depends on it."
Forsaken hells! Of course that asshole was my first dance partner.
I ground my teeth and glared at the doors to the ballroom. They'd better have something stronger than champagne in there.
Chapter 4
Kaiya
People swirled around me, vibrant gowns and suits mixing into a kaleidoscope of colors as they formed little groups, laughing behind fans and discussing the weather. The idea of participating made my skin itch.
