She looked like a princess from a picture book—and she gazed at the prince with clear affection.
I didn’t need the stronghold drums to sound to understand the danger.
She was accompanied by a maidservant who stood behind and to her right—a stiff-looking woman with light brown skin and a severe dress that matched Catalaya’s in color. There were a few more servants and a dozen soldiers behind them.
This woman knew how to make an entrance.
“Caty,” the prince said, walking forward, hands extended.
“Hello, Niko,” she said, taking his hands and smiling adoringly up at him. “I’ve missed you.”
Niko?Something in my chest tightened, and the feeling had nothing to do with the Aetheric practitioner.
“It’s good to see you, but you shouldn’t have come. It’s dangerous.”
“My parents and I have been worried about you. I wanted to see you in person, reassure myself that you’re all right. You seem to be all of a piece—but perhaps caught in the rain?”
He ran a hand through his hair, nodded. “We only just made it inside.”
“We?” Catalaya’s gaze shifted to me. Her smile was bright and kind, but her gaze was considering. “We’re being rude, Niko, as you seem to have a guest?”
He glanced back at me, and seemed relieved to find me behind him. “This is Fox. She saved my life when I arrived at the stronghold, and several times since then. We have a mutual enemy, and she’s here for her protection. And to assist with mine.”
“A mutual enemy?”
“There’s a practitioner of Aetheric magic apparently intent on revolution.”
“I’d heard something about that, of course.” She smiledindulgently. “That can’t be much of a threat, can it? The Emperor Eternal, forever may he rule, has armies at his disposal.”
“It’s a threat,” the prince said.
“In that case,” she said, turning to me, “I owe you a great deal. I would be devastated if anything happened to the prince.”
I managed a polite nod.
“I’m surprised your parents allowed you to leave the Edgelands. I’m of half a mind to send you home again.”
“You know how they are—focused on their lands and tenants. And I have excellent guards, of course.”
“Still. I wish I’d known you were coming.”
“So you could tell me not to come? No, Niko. I didn’t need you demanding I stay locked up in the Edgelands. Winter was long enough. Spring has finally come. Let me live.”
“Well,” he said, releasing her hands and taking a step back from her. “I can’t really argue with that. How long do you plan to stay? Are you traveling on to the City of Flowers?”
“We’ll see.” She yawned beautifully, lifting the back of her elegant hand to cover her mouth. “I’m so sorry. It’s been a long journey and I’m exhausted.”
A servant came in and whispered to Talia. “Your Ladyship,” Talia said, “your rooms have been prepared.”
“Thank you, Talia,” the prince said.
“You’ll walk me there and give me a tour of the palace,” she told the prince, slipping her hand into the crook of his elbow. “And then I’m going right to sleep. I haven’t slept in a good bed in days. Oh, and let’s have dinner tomorrow when I’m rested—the three of us. We can catch up, and I’m sure you haven’t rewarded Fox sufficiently for saving your life.” Her tone was sly and conspiratorial, as if we girls understood how thoughtless princes could be.
That prince glanced at me, a question in his eyes.
I wanted to say no. I wasn’t any more interested in a royal dinner than I had been in a royal ball. And while I’d only had a moment to judge, instinct told me it wasn’t wise to spend any more time near this woman than necessary. On the other hand, someone needed to keep an eye on her. Might as well be a thief.
“As you wish,” I said as meekly as I could manage. The prince bit back a smile.
