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“First of all, you wanted to go shopping,” Scarlett replied.

“Yes, I did,” Juliette answered with a wry grin. Scarlett rolled her eyes.

“There’s a party at the Pier tonight,” Nuri interjected.

“You know I cannot go to a party at the Pier,” Scarlett replied blandly.

But oh, she wanted to. Last year there had been a masked party at the Pier, and they had snuck out to attend. It had been one of the best nights of her life. A night of blissful freedom.

“I’ve been thinking about that,” Nuri said, her face going contemplative. “We could dye your hair for the night. Margo has all sorts of dye blocks.”

Juliette sat up straight. “Yes! Yes, we could! No one knows you. They haven’t seen you since you were nine. Your hair is your most recognizable feature and would be easy to cover up with any color dye,” she said excitedly. “We can use cosmetics, too!”

Scarlett felt a spark of excitement in her chest. “Then I suppose we should indeed go shopping,” she said, getting to her feet. “I’m going to need a new dress.”

Juliette’s violet eyes twinkled, “I know just the place.”

Scarlett slept for two days straight until that dream tugged her awake. She could smell herself from the sweat of that night two days ago. She bathed, soaking in the warmth of the water, and dressed in a simple green and white gown that grazed the floor before she padded barefoot down the stairs to the kitchens. It was early afternoon, but after not eating for two days, she was famished.

“Miss Scarlett,” a cook greeted her with a slight incline of her head. Her beautiful red-gold hair was pulled back from her neck into a tight bun. The soup she was stirring smelled divine. “What can I get for you?”

“Anything,” Scarlett said, her stomach grumbling loudly.

“Go. Sit. Tell me where you’ll be, and I’ll bring you something wonderful.”

“Thank you so much…” Scarlett usually knew the names of all the help in the manor, but this cook was new. From her slight accent, Scarlett wondered if she was from another kingdom.

“Alia,” she answered.

“Thank you, Alia. I’ll be in the sunroom if it’s not too much trouble,” Scarlett said, smiling at the woman.

“None at all. Go, go. I’ll be along shortly,” she said, shooing Scarlett out of the kitchens.

Scarlett went back to her room to grab the book she had been reading. The book she had thought was full of myths and stories. If Sorin wouldn’t give her answers, she’d find them herself in that damn book he claimed was full of truths. She already knew he was Fae and from the Fire Court. Maybe she could figure out who this woman was. She stilled for a moment. Maybe she could figure out how to find and kill the Prince of Fire. Then the Assassin Lord could take his assignment and go to hell.

She searched her room quickly but couldn’t find the book. She could have sworn she carried it with her to her room that day, but maybe she had left it in the sunroom.

She hurried down the stairs and along the hall that led to the sunroom. She reached the room just as Alia rounded the corner with a tray. The tray was piled high with cheese, fruits, roasted chicken, and bread. Scarlett’s stomach growled at the smell of the food that wafted towards her. Alia followed Scarlett into the sunroom, where Scarlett quickly cleared a table so Alia could set the tray down.

“Will this do?” she asked, wiping her hands on her apron.

“This is more than enough, Alia. Thank you,” Scarlett said.

“Send word if you need anything else,” Alia replied, looking her over carefully as she left the room.

Scarlett grabbed a piece of bread from the tray and scanned the room for the book. Where had she put it? She began lifting books and papers, wondering if it had gotten buried in the two days she’d slept.

“Looking for something?” said an amused voice from the doorway. Scarlett jumped and turned to find Cassius. “You’re looking much better,” he added, scanning her from head to toe. “No dreams?”

Scarlett shook her head. “It was the most refreshing sleep I’ve had in weeks,” she admitted, popping a few grapes into her mouth. Until the dream that had woken her, she supposed.

“Good,” Cassius said, striding into the room. He grabbed a piece of bread for himself and plopped into a chair near the small table.

“What are you doing here in the middle of the day?” Scarlett asked, moving to a small desk to continue her search for the missing book.

“I came to check on you. I’ve done so multiple times these past few days,” he answered, biting off a large piece of bread.

“Well, aren’t you sweet,” Scarlett crooned, letting some papers fall back to the desk. “You can report back that I am indeed fine.”