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Pyke’s laughter was lost in the bustle of the crowd. “I’m not a liar! I’m merely a nibling that enjoys teasing their oh-so-serious Alpha sister. A noble king of our lands, long may she live!”
They reached out, adjusting the knot on my cravat. Little lines appeared on their forehead as they concentrated, the tip of their tongue sticking out from between their lips. The image reminded me of the sole reason why I could not stay angry at my youngest nibling: they were much too adorable for any real bouts of exasperation.
“You should speak to her,” they said,tsk-ing under their breath when the Goddess-damned cravat wouldn’t sit straight. “Mama said you two were once close, before I was born.Thick as thieveswas how she described it.”
“Once,” I agreed reluctantly. “Not anymore. I barely know who she is now.”
“On the surface, she’s a stunningly tall Alpha with a phenomenal sense of style,” Pyke murmured under their breath appreciatively.
“Two inches,”I grumbled. “She’s only two inches taller than me!”
“Those two inches seem to bother you greatly.” Pyke eyed me surreptitiously. “Don’t let that keep you from making friends. Only the Goddess knows how badly you need allies across the kingdom.”
“Adults don’t just make friends,” I insisted. “And I have plenty of friends.”
“You say that as though I’m not a full-grown adult,” Pyke rebutted.
“Eighteen is hardly grown,” I negated.
“And besides, the members of the council arenotyour friends,” Pyke continued. “They work for you.”
I shrugged, hating the pull of the jacket sleeves. “Same thing.”
They sighed, tipping back the last of the whisky. “Just go to her and ask to catch up for old time’s sake. It would be much less creepy than standing all the way over here and staring at her. I’m bloody surprised her shawl hasn’t caught fire with the way you—”
Olympia took that moment to detach herself from her entourage. She set her champagne flute down on a nearby table and swept past the low-hanging curtains that led out into a hallway.
“She’ll be back,” Pyke said next to me. “Probably just going to the restroom—”
I slipped out onto the veranda through the nearest curtained exit, leaving Pyke speaking to thin air. The heavy fabric gathered shut behind me with a loudwhoosh, and the din of the party was lessened, if not muted.
Armored guards stood at attention, their ornamental copper chest plates gleaming under the blessings of the twin moons.
I heard several greetings as I passed, boots moving quickly on the stone as I sought Olympia’s scent. The powder rooms were on the lower floors, but as I came to the end of the path with the looping spiral stairs, her scent seemed to sway upstairs.
It was unmistakable—the rich abrasion of anxious Alpha. I filled my lungs with it and ascended the stairs, using only the balls of my feet so that the thick heeled boots wouldn’t clack loudly on the stone.
I refused to believe Olympia was lost. She knew my palace well enough—we’d explored every shortcut and passageway as curious pups. Countless hours had been lost by investigating every nook and cranny our smaller bodies could tunnel into.
No, she wasn’t lost. She wassnooping.
The noise from the ballroom faded into the background.
Mother’s formal bower was located at the end of the hallway, overlooking the rose gardens below. Once bustling with artistic types and free-spirited people, it now lay empty for decades. In rare instances when she had guests, they were directed to her informal salon instead.
In order to reach the bower, one had to cross the length of the corridor that housed our private library.
If it weren’t for Olympia’s scent, I might not have spotted her right away. She stood by the gilded door frame of the library, leaning away from the entrance as she peeked inside. The doors had been partially shut—perhaps to keep out busybodies like Olympia—and only a streamer of light caressed her features.
Sturdy fingers curved over the door frame, holding her weight steady as she snooped.
The mere silhouette of her shadow tugged at memories long buried. Silly little games we used to play resurfaced in the breadth of seconds. My limbs went taut, ready to pounce and yellgotcha.
Instead, I stopped a short distance away, measuring my breaths to avoid making a single sound.
There was something immensely satisfying about studying someone whilst they were unaware of being watched.
Olympia’s cheek was smooth and relaxed, the line of tension missing from her jawline. The corner of her eyes were devoid of creases. But most importantly, a small genuine smile flirted with her lips.
