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“So you could kill me, but not my parents?” she checked.

I nodded. Zenya Pendros and Leander Valesco both sat on the council. It was formed of seven elected officials and five members of the founding families—Damian represented the Regises, and my aunt, Kore’s mother, the Saltzins. “We also can’t take on other members of founding families outside of officially sanctioned duels. We hold them for fun every other weekend.”

“Duels? That’s soarchaic.”

“Barbaric is more accurate. We’re not actually trying to kill each other these days, so what starts in magic often end in fistfights.”

She blinked. “I’d love to see that.”

I was about to tell her she should come with me this Sunday, but I managed to bite back the offer. I needed to get used to the fact that she wasn’t actually part of my life, the sooner, the better.

Would she even want to take the weekend off? Yes, she was on an officially sanctioned Guard investigation, but the point was keeping her out of danger. I was pretty certain she’d want to continue the research.

I couldn’t bring myself to ask. Tomorrow felt like a million miles away. We had to keep her safe tonight.

As we’d agreed, Gideon fetched her in front of the largest column to escort her home.

“What’s with the carriage, man? Those horses are insane!”

I couldn’t help a smile. I wouldn’t say that I missed Gideon, but his character definitely had grown on me. “It’s all Ronan’s—the horses and carriage.”

“I’m surprised you don’t have your own,” Kleos joked.

I grinned, already making plans.

My family kept palominos, not Sleipnirsons. I tended to borrow Ronan’s rather than ask Father for ours, firstly because my friend lived closer, but secondly, because the gold horses and equally gold carriage, were really too much, even for me.

“See you tonight,” I said, watching them retreat.

“I’ll be the one with all the diamonds.”

“Wait, diamonds?” I heard Gideon ask as they reached the column, which opened up to take them back to the Hall of Truce.

And then I was alone.

The carriage ride took too long. The house felt empty, even with Zazel chasing Phobos. The thought of entering Theke, of taking her seat—my former place—was thoroughly distasteful.

Luckily, I knew just what to do with my time.

31

KLEOS

Icouldn’t stop looking at my neck—not even at the runes on my skin, but at the rows of diamonds sitting there like they belonged.

I didn’t even think about hiding under long sleeves today. I had no issues showing the new runes, and I doubted anyone would question them. It was fairly well known to anyone in my acquaintance that I was fond of rune magic. Plus, I was not ruining the effect of the necklace. Not for a kingdom.

It took a while to find the perfect one for it, but eventually, I settled on a cream dress with a high neck. I would have preferred something to show off the diamonds on bare skin, but my selection of gowns was seriously limited. On top of the fabric, the diamond necklace was certainly the star of the show.

I considered packing some of my stuff, given the fact that I’d be back at Lucian’s later, but honestly, his wardrobe was more than adequate, and there was nothing I truly needed. Besides, it wouldn’t do to show up at the ball with a bulky backpack. I could have reduced the size of whatever I needed, but an excessive amount of magic in my purse might have been noticeable to anyone who cared to check. Lucian had said I should act normal, and I intended to.

After some reflection, I opted to only take a week’s worth of underwear. I had to handwash my bra twice. It’d be handy to have more around, and the minimal amount of magic it took to shrink them wouldn’t be noticeable.

Wrapped in my shawl, I was heading downstairs right before eight, to meet up with Gideon, when an unexpected voice called, "You haven't been home.”

I automatically straightened up, turning to face the last person I would have expected to see in this house, fifteen minutes before the start of a ball.

"Mother. I'm surprised you have,” I replied.