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The reindeers grunted as the sleigh eased to a stop in front of the grand gold doors of the Royal Theater.

From the moment she’d met the Winterborn creatures, their bone-white antlers large and branching like trees, Neve had seemed as enchanted as I’d been the first time I’d ridden a reindeer drawn sleigh. Horses were used for everyday riding and warfare but the noble and royal houses used white reindeer on special occasions. Ones in which we wished to make a statement. A night of theater mixed with Courting Festival Events was certainly one such occasion.

Neve leaned over me to peer out the window. Her silken hair touched the skin of my hands and sent chills down my spine. Her eyes glowed beneath the oversized faelights ringing the great domed building. “It’s so beautiful.”

The awe in her voice pulled at my heart. After hearing thenews that Duran wouldn’t have the Liar’s Salvation ready in time, she’d paced until it was time to prepare for the evening. But even as she applied cosmetics, seemingly calm and still, I saw the anxiety in her every stroke of rouge and lip paint.

However, when faced with the Royal Theater and all the pomp that went with our attending the production, her worries seemed to melt away. I hoped that the show would continue to keep her anxiety at bay.

“King Einar Falk built it over a thousand turns ago,” I said, exiting the sleigh. Two Clawsguards rode reindeer on either side of our conveyance. One made to dismount and assist the princess, but I waved him off and extended my hand to help her.

“The ruler before Harald?” she asked as her hand landed in mine and she stepped down.

“His grandfather,” I corrected. “King Birger ruled before King Harald.”

“Well, it’s stunning. It looks almost new.” A gale of wind whipped by, and Neve pulled her black cloak tight around her and blinked up at the theater, made of glittering white stone. In that way, the playhouse resembled Frostveil Castle, but that was where the similarities ended. The theater was far smaller than the castle and only three stories high, with two wings reaching out from the large central dome where the plays took place. On the outside, carved in the white stone, were snowflakes, all different from their neighbor. Near the door, pixies dressed in fine attire threw their sparkling dust upon the snow and the pathway, adding to the magical ambiance.

“Mother is a patron of the arts. As was Queen Revna Falk and Queen Dagnia Falk before her. I supposed they all did their best to make sure the theater didn’t fall into disrepair.”

“They did well.” Neve shuddered as another frigid wind blew in off the sea. “But I might lose my nose to the wind if we stay outside a moment longer.”

“Imagine the fright you’d give the people if your nose simply fell into the snow.”

She chuckled, and I pressed my hand to the small of her back, guiding her up the steps and to the doors. The Clawsguards fell in line behind, quiet as ghosts. As we neared the building, two fae dressed in black uniforms opened the doors for us and bowed. The pixies throwing their sparkling dust paused too, inclining their heads.

In the foyer, hundreds of commonfae dressed in their finest attire watched our entrance, but a male usher waved to get my attention as he neared. “My prince! This way, if you please.” He gestured for us to follow. “I’ve been told that before the play, the nobles will be gathering on the third floor.”

Neve and I had hoped to time our arrival so that we wouldn’t have to socialize beforehand. There would already be enough of that at intermission. Unfortunately, it seemed we would not be spared.

I nodded. “Show us up.”

The usher cleared our way through the crowds and up the staircase. With each step, the din of the crowd below grew fainter, and soon enough we were at the top, faced with a much smaller gathering.

The families of the Sacred Eight were present, my family too, as well as a few jarls and ladies of lower houses. Not everyone who was attending the Courting Festival had been invited. Only about half, but I still thought that was quite enough. Despite being less crowded than below, the foyer was suffocating.

Each head turned and took us in. I didn’t miss when Calpurnia, my cousin on my mother’s side, scowled and pointed at Neve. She stood nearby with the young ladies from House Ithamai and House Qiren. All six appeared unimpressed by my wife. Aenesa Qiren going as far as to wrinkle her nose and turn away. I bristled. With night-dark skin, a tall, curvy figure, gleaming green eyes, and wings that were complemented by the beaded emerald dress she wore, no one could deny that Aenesa was beautiful. She’d indicated her interest in me before, but I’d always thought she had a nasty streak, and that wasn’t even taking into account her mare powers, which only added to my reluctance to get to know the female. Now a married male, I particularly did not like that she seemed inclined to insult my wife.

Neve, however, had noticed their expressions and beamed as she unfastened her black cloak embroidered with white bear paws near the golden clasp and allowed it to drop off her shoulders.

“Do you like my dress, ladies?” She swished the skirt of her royal blue gown. Though I knew almost nothing about dresses, I liked the way this one hugged her torso and the full curves of her hips and then flared out. Completing the look was a glittering sapphire anddiamond tiara borrowed from Saga. I thought that Neve had never looked more like a princess.

Those in my cousin’s group said nothing until Calpurnia gave a tight nod.

“Lovely,” she replied, her lilac wings pressing tight down her back in frustration.

“Aenesa?” Neve prodded.

The Lady of House Qiren sighed and, with seemingly great effort, forced herself to look at my wife’s dress before her emerald gaze landed on me. “Does the prince like it?”

One would think that would be over now, but apparently, I’d have to make my loyalties much clearer. “I do like it. Very much. Not only does she look beautiful, but I appreciate that we match.” I gestured to my own royal blue jacket embroidered with gold thread around the wrists, as much embellishment as I’d allow.

Aenesa’s lips pursed. “I agree.It’s lovely.”

She sounded as though she were trying to speak through a mouthful of snow. I bit back a laugh.

“Thank you. It’s one of a kind.” Neve handed her cloak to a servant who appeared at her side. “Well, I believe my husband and I must do the rounds. Do enjoy the show.”

Amused by my wife’s antics, I turned to the Clawsguards, waiting to follow. “Hold watch at the perimeter.”