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When I reach the launchpad, I see Arthur has managed to throw in yet another surprise.

Elodie is there, a vision in a pink satin dress, its cut nearly identical to mine.

But standing right beside her is Killian, his ensemble loudly declaring his allegiance.

The dark navy of his meticulously tailored tailcoat is complemented by a pink silk waistcoat that unmistakably aligns him with Elodie. Yet aside from the high-collared white shirt, intricately tied cravat, and formfitting trousers seamlessly tucked into polished Hessian boots, it’s the gold pocket watch fastened at his waist that really catches my eye.

It reminds me of the timepiece I brought back from my last Trip to Regency England when I had a near-fatal run-in with Braxton’s father.

Together Elodie and Killian stand like the homecoming king and queen of every high school that ever was.

I guess Arthur couldn’t decide who the better chaperone for me would be, so he opted to send them both.

Awesome.

Yet, as troubled as I am by this latest development, it’s Braxton’s absence that hits me the most.

Soon,I tell myself.Soon we’ll be together again, and this, and all Arthur’s games, will be relegated to memory.

Killian approaches me first. “Shiv,” he says, giving me a curt nod.

When I shift my attention to Elodie, her smile is strained. “I’ve got a bit of a champagne headache,” she tells me, “so I hope you can handle whatever this is on your own.”

“Of course,” I reply, not buying her act for a second. Elodie is not one to overindulge. She’s that odd combination of a girl who’s always on the lookout for a good time while also managing to keep a tight rein on herself.

What an odd trio we make.

Killian claims to love me yet harbors a deep-seated animosity toward Elodie for reasons unknown.

While Elodie makes no secret of her disdain for Killian. And though she might play at friendship with me, I question if she truly understands what that means.

One thing is unmistakably clear: they stand united in their unwavering loyalty to Arthur.

“Ready for the big reveal?” Roxane draws an envelope from her clipboard and extends it toward me.

Big reveal, indeed.Still, I slide a finger under the red wax seal embossed with the Gray Wolf insignia, retrieving a square of paper that reads:

You are cordially invited!

When: May 16, 1814

Where: London, England

What: The May Ball

Why: To commemorate the London Season

“What the fuck?” Elodie mutters under her breath.

“Bloody hell.” Killian scowls.

Though I have no idea what they’re so upset about, my attention quickly shifts to the contact lenses Roxane hands to each of us.

These aren’t just any lenses; they’re designed to monitor time and guide us back to the portal—two things I no longer care about, since my return plans don’t include Gray Wolf. Unbeknownst to them, Keane has arranged for an alternate portal in a different location to facilitate my escape.

When we’re ready, Elodie, Killian, and I step onto the platform.