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I looked at him questioningly.
“It was before I expanded my business to include pleasure houses,” he said. “Anyhow, I mostly sold gemstones, most of which I procured from the elves and the dragon realm. Have you ever seen a phoenix opal?”
I shook my head. “I have not.”
“They form near the volcanoes in the dragon kingdom and are a blazing red and white. It’s said they are constantly destroyed and remade from their own ashes, though they are not really like phoenixes in that way. Just very rare. In any case, I obtained one there, and Queen Revna heard of it. She ordered me to court, and I had a private audience with her to show her the jewel. She wore that very same pin that’s in your hair now. I complimented her on it. Apparently, it is quite old.”
“I—do you think I should take it off?” My hand went to the pin.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s from them. Isn’t that dangerous?”
Lord Riis laughed. “I wouldn’t worry about that. Queen Inga took many of Queen Revna’s jewels for herself. No one could blame her as the jewels were spectacular, and some were known to be healing stones, a passion of the old queen’s.”
I cocked my head. I wasn’t so familiar with healing stones, but I was sure that only healers could use them. “Was Queen Revna a healer?”
“Before she married the king, yes. And a very powerful one at that. So, you see, it would have been foolish to destroy such treasures. Queen Inga knew that and she gifted some to her daughter, too. After all, it is a crime to carry the Falk name, not to own ancient, beautiful pieces.”
I frowned. “Are you certain?”
“I am. And if anyone questions you, please, blame me. I will endure it.”
My eyebrows arched. “If you wish.”
“I do. Now, tell me, are you feeling up for another dance?”
I hadn’t been expecting that question, hadn’t even been paying attention to the dance floor. Turning toward it, I saw that the dancing had become livelier. Fae were working up an appetite for the feast that would be served later.
“I don’t know the one they’re doing right now.” I watched the dancers. Two lines of fae spun and exchanged partners with exuberance. It looked like fun, and I even spotted Sayyida on the dance floor, grinning at a young lord as she spun, so it must have been. But it also looked as though it would be very easy for me to knock someone out. “It looks a touch dangerous for someone who doesn’t know the steps.”
“The next one, then. I—” He trailed off, his gaze sweeping to the great door where guests entered. “Fates alive. That can’t be who I think it is.”
I turned to learn what had stolen his attention so thoroughly, and my skin turned to ice.
In the doorway, two figures stood. One dressed in red and black, as menacing as the angel of death. The other, a person I loved more than anyone else.
Chapter 34
Surely, I hallucinated.
What else could explain Prince Gervais Laurent and Anna standing at the threshold of the Courting Festival Ball, looking down on the fae, waiting to be noticed?
I almost convinced myself that was what was happening, when the king called for the music to stop and for the dancing to cease. Only when no one spoke or moved did King Magnus stand. “My Lady of Ships informed me that a Laurent ship entered our harbor this morn. Identify yourself, my lord.”
My mind raced back to that very morning when Saga had mentioned Sayyida had gone to the docks to welcome diplomats from another court. I wanted to slap myself for being so stupid.
Had I possessed even an inkling that it had been this prince who’d arrived, I would have been halfway to the southlands by now.
The vampire of my nightmares stepped forward and bowed. “I am Prince Gervais Laurent, and this is my consort for the evening, Anna.”
My heart thudded when he mentioned my friend’s name.
“I’m afraid my ship took on water and your harbor was the closest to port. I hoped to settle here for the night, if you’ll allow it, King Magnus.” The prince gave a blindingly dazzling smile. “My crew, of course, will remain on the ship.”
“Of course. Dreadful luck. Please, approach.” The king invited the prince with a wave of his hand and a returning smile on his face. Diplomacy was at hand and the masks were up. “We must speak.”
Blazing moon! That meant the vampire would get closer.
