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“I’m not scared of him. I’m looking at the bigger picture. An end to this goddam war.”

Ela nodded thoughtfully.

“Hard to imagine, isn’t it? After so many years of fighting,notfighting will be…”

“Weird? Complicated?”

“I was going to say novel.”

Kara raised a brow.

“Interesting. Rhyn used the exact same word.”

“What’s interesting about that?”

“It means he’s on the same wavelength as you, for a start.”

The general snorted.

“Rhyn spouts so much nonsense it’s inevitable he’ll come out with something intelligent at least once in a while.”

“If you say so.”

“I will leave you to get some rest now.” Ela ignored the smirk on Kara’s face. “The next challenge begins tomorrow night.”

“Can you give me any clues?”

“No. But you will be fine, I have no doubt.”

After she left, Kara took a shower. She scrubbed off the remains of Daa’sten’s body paint, wishing she could clean away the memory of Baelon’s attack as easily.

Then she pulled on one of Daa’sten’s creations, a flowing chiffony dress. She would never have chosen something so girly but it was the first thing she found with long sleeves.

She paced about the room, too wired to take Ela’s advice and go to bed. She wondered what Vahn was doing now. Still dancing with Layahn? He’d better not be. He’d be getting a serious talking to about boundaries the next time she saw him.

She wished she could go outside and take a walk, get some fresh air, but that was impossible. Potentials weren’t allowed to wander, not without an escort and possibly a hall pass. She wasn’t in a cell, but she wasn’t exactly free either.

It was only when she remembered the secret passageway in the bathroom that she perked up.

She would go up to the balcony. Breathe in the night air. It wasn’t wise, she knew that. But no-one would miss her. Everyone was still at the ball. And if any of the Potentials called it a night they’d just assume she was asleep.

It took her a little while to find the catch in the towel cabinet. But when she pressed it, the whole unit swung away from the wall to reveal the hidden exit behind.

Quietly she slipped through, and for the first time that evening she felt more like herself.

Out on the balcony, the night was as beautiful as before. She looked out at the city, the soft glow of the moons washing everything in silver.

Her chiffon skirt billowed around her legs in the soft breeze. Somewhere in the distance she could hear the music from the ball. It was almost perfect.

Almost.

She climbed onto the balustrade and sat cross-legged, palms upward. Her eyes closed and she let her mind drift, not thinking of anything in particular. Just breathing. Just being.

When she smelled his scent, she assumed she was dreaming. But then his arms slid round her and his mouth pressed to her ear.

“Kalehsha,” he rumbled.

And then it was perfect.