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“I second the bar,” Aimee said.

Taly’s head whipped toward her, eyes wide.

“What?” Aimee snapped, glaring back. “Don’t look at me like that. Occasionally, you have a good idea.” She folded her arms. “Glamours are sensitive to heat and humidity, any stray bits of magic. I’ve done what I can, but the environment inside the townhouse is too controlled to get a complete picture of how it might perform in a crowd. A bar would… actually be a good test.”

It was high praise, coming from someone who usually bit her tongue bloody before agreeing with anything Taly had to say.

“Well, I guess it’s decided then,” Ivain said, and Taly let her grin stretch. “Sarina, you win. I’ll go to your stupid party. Skye, Taly—get yourselves sorted. It looks like we’re going out tonight. My vote’s for The Rusty Tankard. Cheap, loud, and everyone minds their own damn business.”

“No,” Sarina interrupted firmly, shaking her head. “You’re not going.”

“What do you mean I’m not going?”

“Exactly that,” Sarina said. “The Tankard might be your kind of place, but half the regulars know your name, and the rest would remember if you showed up with Taly. We can’t take that risk. If this goes sideways and someone connects the dots, it could lead them back here.”

He scowled, shaking his head. “This is ridiculous. We’re talking about a bar run, not a parade through town. I know how to keep my head down. Besides, what about Skye? He’s not exactly a ghost.”

“He’s also not the face of the city right now.” She had him there. Sarina turned to Skye and Taly next. “You two need to take others, though. A small group is better—easier to blend in. Take Kato, also Aiden. He should be back soon from his shift at the healing park. You too, Aimee.”

Aimee’s brows shot up. “Really? I’m going?” Something almost like a smile cracked the familiar mask of disdainful boredom. “I mean, of course, I’m going. It’s my glamour, after all. Why wouldn’t I?”

Ivain sighed deeply. “Fine,” he grumbled. “I get it. Leave the old man to guard the fort.”

“Hey,” Taly said, rising. “Every adventure needs a wise elder to stay back and lecture the youngsters when they return.”

He gave her a flat look, but his voice softened. “If anything happens—anything—you come straight back here, understand? No heroics, no risks.”

Taly nodded eagerly. Skye looked less happy about the decision, but he’d get over it.

They were going out tonight. It was time to rejoin the world.

Chapter 23

Aimee stood in front of the long mirror in the corner of her bedroom. She smoothed her hands over her red velvet skirt.

They were going to a bar tonight—a first for her. She’d been to tea houses and restaurants, and there was always more than enough alcohol and other inebriating substances at the balls and parties thrown during the court season. But she’d never been to a commoner’s bar.

It would be a lie to say that she wasn’t a little excited. Aiden had always been free to do whatever he wanted, go wherever he wanted—and now she was getting to go with him.

To abar.

She adjusted the ruffles along the collar of her white silk shirt. What would the other women be wearing? Was she underdressed? Overdressed? Should she change into… trousers, maybe?

Talya would probably be wearing trousers, likely paired with some ill-fitting potato sack with holes cut for the arms.

Aimee leaned in, checking her glamour. She darkened her lashes, added a touch more red to her lips.

You have your mother’s face.

Scowling, she straightened. Halfway across the cosmos, and somehow Arys Thorne still found his way into her head.

“Hey.” The word was accompanied by a tentative knock on the open door.

Aimee turned. It wasn’t a potato sack, she noted, eyes flicking up and down as Talya stepped into the room. And while the cream, oversized sweater wasn’t completely unfortunate, it did nothing for her. Emphasized her small stature, hid her curves.

Talya stepped inside, her gaze drifting over the turquoise drapes, pale blue walls, and crisp white linens. “The boys are already downstairs.”

Yes, Aimee had heard them going on, faint strands of conversation coming from the first floor. Skylen and Kato were arguing about which one could make it to the tavern the fastest. Aiden threatened to bury them both a mile underground if they didn’t shut up.