“We do? I just arrived!”

“Oh yes.” Her lovely eyes flash with intrigue. “Tell me everything. I wish to know all about this man I am to charm.”

Hours later, I’m lacing a wide belt into place over black silk robes shot with threads of silver and green. My skin is freshly scrubbed, my hair washed and brushed until it hangs in a shiny auburn curtain down my back.

I rarely bother with any kind of cosmetics, but for the first time, I allow my attendants to trace my eyes with kohl and dab a bit of pink on my cheeks. Days of travel in the summer sunlight have brought out color in my face, and a new smattering of freckles cross the bridge of my nose.

“There.” Nolla Verin claps from where she reclines on a chaise lounge. “My sister no longer looks like a gutter-sweep.”

I make a face at her.

She, of course, looks lovely as always, eyes shining, a bit of glitter sparkling along her eyelids. Her robes are white with red stitching, her corseted belt bloodred. Her expression is cool and calculating, and I know she is already plotting how to “woo and charm” Grey.

The thought makes me turn back to my mirror. Even with a small amount of kohl and cream, I hardly recognize myself. I do not know why I bothered with any of it. I want to ask my attendants for wet cloths to wipe it all off.

“Mother will be here soon,” says Nolla Verin. “She will want us to meet with the prince in the throne room.”

Of course she will. I have learned that Grey and the others have been quietly brought to the palace and are receiving the same pampering that I have. Likely more. Mother will spare nothing to win his favor.

Nolla Verin sits up on the chaise. “Lia Mara.”

Something in her voice makes me turn. “What?”

“You have said little about your time since escaping from Prince Rhen.”

I look back at the mirror, then away, because I do not want to see my simple face, my eyes so filled with longing. Instead, I move to the window. The sun is beginning to break through the clouds, bringing a sheen to the city. In Emberfall, the castle was surrounded by acres of grass and forest, natural barriers between Rhen and his people. Here, our palace is built into the side of the mountain, and beyond the stables and training fields, we can look out on the Crystal City. Our people can look up and see their queen.

Nolla Verin appears at my side. Her hand slips over mine. Her voice is very quiet. “Sister.”

I glance at her, surprised at the emotion in her voice. “Yes?”

“Did he … abuse you?”

“What? No!”

“Are you certain? Because you seem very different.” Her voice heats with anger. “If he laid a hand on you in violence, I will carve every bone from his body, then fill every orifice with them—”

“Nolla Verin! Must you be so graphic?”

“I am making a vow. I will do it bare-handed.”

“Well, I will thank you to stop turning my stomach.” I make another face, this one nearly involuntary. “He never harmed me. Quite the opposite.”

She flops back onto the chaise lounge. “Then tell me. Tell me about this Prince Grey.”

Prince Grey. It is only the second time I have heard him referred to as Prince Grey, and both times my heart has fluttered. I think of the way he faced Captain Sen Domo, and I want to press a hand to my chest.

I keep my eyes on the window and my hands on the sill. I have no idea what to share about him.

He is gentle. He is kind.

No. Either of those would put him at a disadvantage with my vicious sister.

Both of those feel like secrets shared only with me. To everyone else, Grey is stoic and fierce.

He is honest and brave and loyal. He guarded my door when I was afraid to close my eyes. He is strong and sure, and he makes me feel strong and sure. He has dark eyes and careful hands, and I could listen to him speak all night long.

I swallow back tears. “He is very handsome?” I offer.

My sister says nothing.

I say nothing.

I wish I knew what expression was on her face, if she has figured me out, and if she has, what she is thinking. A breeze sweeps through the window to cool my cheeks.

All of a sudden, I want to lock my doors and hide in my room with my books and my pillows and my privacy. I do not want to watch whatever is going to happen between Grey and my sister.

Between Prince Grey and my sister.

I bite at my lip and try to breathe through the ache in my chest.

My doors sweep open, and a trumpet blares. The guard announces, “The Queen of Syhl Shallow, the highly esteemed Karis Luran.”

I whirl without meaning to, as though I have been caught at something.

My mother looks exactly the same as I remember, but I know better than to sweep her up in my arms like I did with my sister. My mother will quite certainly not do that to me, especially not in front of a dozen advisers and attendants.

That said, her expression is warmer than I can remember in recent memory.

“My clever daughter,” she says, holding out a hand.

Ah, so we are standing on ceremony. I should have guessed when the trumpet announced her. I cross the room, take her hand, and bow.

She catches my chin and lifts my head before I can complete the movement. “We have much to discuss, you and I.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“I was quite distressed when you rode off in the middle of the night on a fool’s mission.” Her hand has not left my chin. “I thought we might need to retire calling you clever at all. Luckily you seem to have redeemed yourself.”

Perhaps I should have met with my mother before my sister. All my familiar defenses clink back into place, like forged steel. Trudging across Emberfall was difficult and exhausting, but never so much as this. I am already tired. “Thank you.”

“Indeed,” she says, “you should have known that man would attempt to use you against me. I am relieved you were able to escape, but I hope this little lesson did not go unlearned?”

My blood ices over, as if the Frozen River itself runs through my veins. My heart pumps twice as hard. “You … knew? You knew he had imprisoned me?”

“For certain, dear daughter. For certain.” She lets go of my chin. “I would like for you to join us in the throne room as I discuss the terms with our new young ally.”

He may not ally with you. He does not want any of this.

But, like the words I could not say to my sister, these are words I cannot say to my mother.

I close my mouth, steel my spine, and follow her into the hall.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

GREY

I am no stranger to finery and elegance. In Emberfall, Ironrose Castle is filled with marble and polished wood. Here, Karis Luran’s palace is lined with crystal and stone, with glass everywhere. The clothes we are given are of the highest quality: brushed calfskin leggings, polished black boots with leather laces, tunics and jackets lined with silk and edged with brocade. Instead of green and black adorning the garments, which I expected, everything is trimmed in gold and red, the colors of Emberfall.

Our weapons have been returned to us, and while it’s made to look like a show of trust, I know it’s not. We are heavily outmanned here in the palace. We will be watched wherever we go.

I would give anything for the black uniform from my days in the Royal Guard, to have knife-lined bracers on my forearms and armor at my back. I would give anything to be invisible once again. In this fancy room with a glass wall looking out over a glass city, I feel like a beast in a cage. Noah, Jake, and Tycho all watch me. Waiting.