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Magda gave a small wave by Ravi’s side. Magda remembered she had sent Kiran a message from the Scribestone, so in some ways, she was expecting her.

Kiran whipped her hair over her shoulder, and twirled her arms about her head, her wrists curling around each other. As she did so, her golden jewelry clinked. She cocked her head, as if motioning for Magda to meet her off the dance floor, to the side of the dais.

Magda nodded in return.

Then Kiran gracefully bent backwards, leaning so far that her hair almost brushed the floor. Then she raised back up and continued into the next section of the dance, grabbing her skirt in her hands so she could move her hips to the beat.

“Those look like guild leaders,” Ravi said at Magda’s side. His eyes were toward one of the arches. “I’m going to check it out.”

“Alright. Meet back here afterward.”

Ravi agreed before heading back toward the entrance.

When Kiran met Magda’s gaze once more, Magda slyly pointed to the entrance. Then Magda turned around and pushed her way off the dance floor, heading toward the outskirts of the room.

From this distance, the music was fainter. When it came to a complete halt, the guests burst into applause. Almost immediately after, another song sounded, and the men took center stage.

Magda only had to wait a few moments before she noticed the guests were parting, making way for someone approaching the front entrance that led out to the gardens in the interior courtyard.

Princess Kiran was coming to speak to her, flanked by two officers.

“Magda?!” Kiran’s eyes were wide. She squealed at a high pitch and clasped Magda’s hands. “Is that really you?”

“Yes, it’s me!”

They both leapt into an embrace.

“Come here! It’s been forever!” Kiran said, jumping up and down in the hug. She pulled Magda outside, and they stepped into the sticky air, approaching the central gazebo. The officers followed them, but Kiran waved them away, and they spread out in the gardens.

“First,” Magda stopped her. “I brought Odie, and he’s in the carriage.”

“Who’s Odie?”

“My dog,” Magda said bashfully.

“Are you serious? This is the strangest night yet. It’s too hot out here for dogs,” said Kiran. She snapped to her officers, ordering them to go to the outer gardens where the carriage was parked and bring Magda’s dog up to her room. They nodded, quite confused, before heading under the gate.

Kiran continued, “I don’t understand. I heard you were marrying King Claude! I was considering writing you a letter since I wanted to know what it was like to get betrothed. They’re thinking of betrothing me to a man in Celestaire, and I wasn’t sure whether to go through with it, or what it would be like being with a man you don’t even know if you’re compatible with…”

“Kiran!” Magda let out a laugh.

Kiran’s eyes trailed to Ravi’s vest that Magda still wore over her gown. Her fingers trailed the fabric and she raised her eyebrows suspiciously. “What man’s clothing are you wearing? Wait, does Claude know you’re here? Is he going to be upset? Is he really as ‘mad’ as everyone says?”

“Well…”

“Is he good?” Kiran raised her eyebrows. “I was always into the brooding, mysterious fighter type.” She circled her finger around one of the curls framing her face.

Magda said, “I really want to catch up, but I need to use the Scribestone and speak to your mother. It’s important.”

“I got your message saying you were coming. What was so important to come all this way that you couldn’t talk to her through the Scribestone?”

“It’s a long story,” said Magda.

“How did you even get in?”

Magda smiled. “That’s an even longer story.”

“Oh, gosh,” Kiran shook her head. “This sounds like we need a full-on gossip session. Don’t worry, I fully expect you to stay over. I’m so excited to see you. It’s nice to see another peer—another guardian. And my mother will be so surprised.” Kiran grinned. “She was shocked that you decided to get married right after the assassination attempt, and she was even planning on attending the wedding so that your mother would have someone to sit with.”