Page 27 of A Taste For Lies (The Apex Kingdom #1)

Chapter 27

ALORA

T he sight of Eleni outside my chambers, clutching a large white box, is enough to make my heart burst. I snatch her by one arm and tug her into the suite, slamming the door shut behind her. Without hesitation, I throw my arms around her slender neck.

“Wait! You’re crushing the gown!” she shrieks through laughter, but I don’t let go.

“I missed you,” I murmur fervently, feeling like this hug is cracking open something inside of me. She's safe.

“I missed you, too. Now please let me put this down before you ruin all my hard work.”

Sighing, I give in. She hurries over to the low table, sets the box down, then spins around and envelops me back into a tight embrace.

“How are you?” I ask once I finally release her.

“I’m good. Really I am.” Her deep blue eyes shine with the truth of her words, and something in my stomach that’s been tight since the day I was forced to leave her unravels. “I’m learning so much. The guild is testing my limits with their requests and my skill is improving every day.”

I give her a level look. “Is that prick key master keeping his distance? ”

A breathy laugh slips from her lips. “Not so much, but he’s harmless. He’s really talented at what he does.” She cocks her silvery head to the side. “You two are actually a lot alike. If you could get over your inane pissing contest, you might even get along.”

I can’t help but roll my eyes at that. “At least he let you bring the dress.”

She brightens. “Not just the dress. I’m going to get you ready for the ball.” She squeezes my arm. “It’ll be just like home.”

A genuine smile takes over my whole face. “I have so much to tell you.”

“I can’t wait. But first—” She rushes over to the box, flings the cover off and triumphantly reveals an iridescent yellow-gold masterpiece. The gown shimmers with an otherworldly radiance, as if it’s spun from threads of sunlight itself. Delicate embroidery traces patterns of blooming roses and intricate lace. This isn’t just a dress; it’s a vision in gold, crafted by fairy hands.

My breath catches. “Len…it’s incredible.”

She beams. “Harlan told me the queen is obsessed with her themes and the royal family is devoted to the sun god. So I thought, what better gown for a celestial ball than a tribute to Lumos himself?”

My brows knit. “Is that the theme?”

“Lor,” she scolds. “Rule Number Eight.”

“I know, I know.” I shake my head, disgusted with myself, especially since I’m sure the queen regaled me with every detail.

Her eyes fill with concern. “It’s unlike you to miss something like that.”

“I’ve had a lot on my mind,” I murmur, the image of flashing silver eyes burned into my brain.

“Well, now’s your chance to tell me all about it,” she declares.

I brighten, then replay her earlier words. “Wait, who’s Harlan?”

A flush creeps up her entire face. “Um. The, uh, the key master.”

My eyes narrow. “You two are on a first-name basis now?”

She shrugs. “We’re working together. What did you expect?” Then she gestures towards the dress, deftly changing the subject. “Do you want to see how the skirt pulls away? ”

I sigh. “No need. My only role tonight is to be a distraction.” My gaze rakes over the shining gown. “And it looks like I’m going to fulfill that role perfectly, thanks to you.”

“It’s a full skirt. Your leggings will still fit underneath. Just in case.”

“You have no idea how tempted I am to do just that. But I’ll be in heels, and I might even have to dance. I don’t want to risk them showing.”

One fist shoots up into the air. “Finally! Oh, Lor, this dress is made to be danced in. Layers of satin and tulle—when you spin, it’s going to be gorgeous.”

“At least it matches my hairpin,” I grumble.

She smiles slyly. “And hides your thigh dagger.”

I grin back. “That, too.”

She looks around the pretty sitting room. “Where can I hang this?”

“Oh, in the wardrobe. This way.” I lead Eleni into the dressing room and help her hang her masterpiece. She oohs and ahhs about the luxurious furnishings, then hurries over and examines the tiny pots of cosmetics lining the small vanity.

“My Lady?” Mei’s quiet voice pulls me around. She’s standing in the doorway, dressed in her guardian uniform. “I’m just heading down to training. Hello, Miss Katsaros.”

Eleni waves merrily from her place by the vanity table—they must have met at The Painted Mask.

“About that.” I pull out the lynx charm, rubbing it between my fingers. I need Mei to stay away from training, but I also need to be able to grill Eleni in peace about the key master. “I have another task for you.” I cast around the room and my eyes catch on the heavy purse Maeve dropped off this morning, grumbling all the while. “I need you to bring this gold back to the guild. Eleni is going to be some time getting me ready for the ball, and the Viper won’t want to wait.”

She blinks. “Very well, My Lady.” I drop the coin purse into her waiting hands and send her on her way with instructions to be back in time to accompany me this evening. For a heartbeat, I consider that she might run off with it but quickly dismiss the idea. Even with a mountain of gold, she couldn’t hope to be smuggled back home without the help of the guild. They’re offering her something far more precious—she would never betray them.

Which means as much as I feel sorry for Mei, I can’t trust her, either. The only person I can trust is Eleni, who’s eyeing me speculatively right now. No, she’s looking at my necklace, the charm still caught between my fingers.

“What’s that?” she asks, coming closer and peering at the tiny lily. She gasps. “Are those real diamonds?”

“The prince gave me a longer chain so my lynx charm wouldn’t be noticed.”

A teasing smile lights my best friend’s face. “Not just the chain, it appears.”

“The lily was already there when he gave it to me.” I hold it in my hand, and we both examine it. “Maybe it came with the chain. He must have bought it in Shanterra.”

“I wonder when he would have had time to do that. Tell me, were there lilies in the ballroom the night the two of you met?”

“You mean the night he trapped me?” I correct, my tone bone-dry. “I’m sure there were. It was in Shanterra, after all. Why?”

“No reason!” she trills. “Let’s get started, and then you can tell me why you made up that lie to get Meiling out of here.” She pushes me towards the vanity chair with surprising strength.

I bite my lip, unsure how to start now Eleni’s revealed her camaraderie with the key master. She begins to twist my long hair with ribbons to set the loose curls the Elite are so fond of.

“We think the amulet might be…concealed somehow. Warded, actually.” I watch her expression in the mirror, but her eyes stay focused on her task.

“And you’re wondering if Harlan had anything to do with it,” she guesses.

“Yes.”

“It’s possible. Actually, it’s more than likely.” She shrugs, starting on another section. “I told you, he’s tremendously talented. If anyone could set something like that up, it would be him. ”

“Do you think he’s Apex?” I ask.

She finally meets my gaze in the mirror. “I don’t know,” she whispers. “I’ve never seen his eyes glow like the prince’s or his guardian’s. But the things he’s able to make…” She shakes her head. “I just don’t know how they would be possible without magic.”

“Does he have a tattoo of Faunera’s sigil on his chest?”

Her face flushes beet red. “How would I know the answer to that?”

I arch my eyebrows. “How do you think?”

She puts both hands on her hips. “Well, I don’t know!”

“Alright. Sorry I asked.”

With a sniff, she goes back to twisting my hair. “Does the prince have a Faunera tattoo?”

I shift on the stool. “How would I know?”

She pauses, her eyebrows raising to her hairline.

The corner of my mouth twitches. “No, he doesn’t.”

Eleni gasps, clapping one pale hand over her mouth. “Alora!”

I break into helpless laughter. “Relax. I just saw him shirtless in training, along with half the court.”

She hums in acknowledgement. “What did he look like without a shirt on?”

My mouth goes dry. “Oh, you know. Like a—” I was about to say beast, but the word feels stuck in my throat.

“Mmmmhmmm. That good?”

I reach out and pinch her waist.

“Ouch!” she complains, but a genuine smile plays on her lips. “So, are you excited? To finally get the records and your answers?”

“Nervous,” I admit, my stomach twisting. “And I hate that I won’t be the one to lift them.”

Her brow furrows. “Who’s doing it?”

“Carter.”

“Wow,” she responds, drawing out the word.

“What?” I ask .

“Never thought I’d see the day where the Lynx allows someone else to run the op.”

“He’s not running the op,” I protest. “He’s just more familiar with the territory. And I can’t afford to get caught before the amulet heist. Rule Number Five.”

“Secrecy is your most valuable asset,” she agrees, finishing my hair and starting on the makeup. “How high are these heels you’re supposed to wear?”

“Too high,” I mumble. I may have well-trained grace, but that doesn’t mean I would choose to waste it on impractical footwear.

“Are you sure you’ll be able to dance with the prince in heels? Wait a second, do you even know the dances?”

“As long as they’re similar to what the Elite do in Shanterra, yes. And I won’t be dancing with the prince. I’ve convinced the court I’m repelled by his Apex nature.”

She brushes powder across the bridge of my nose. “And are you? Repelled by his Apex nature?”

My fingers twist in my skirts. “I should be,” I murmur.

Eleni meets my eyes with a frank look. “Just be careful, alright?”

“I don’t think he’s as dangerous as we thought he was,” I blurt out.

She tilts her head. “He’s not, not dangerous.”

“I don’t think he’d hurt me.” Oh my goddess, I sound like Maeve.

“Maybe not,” Eleni allows. “But the king would. Or the queen. Or anyone else who discovered you breaking the law with an Apex.”

“I know,” I reply in a small voice.

She goes back to brushing cosmetics on my face. “Is there any truth to the rumor that they might grant an exception for the prince?”

“None. Maeve made it up as a cover to bring me here.” I drum my fingers on my lap. “But unfortunately, it’s also introduced another problem. There’s a lady at court the prince used to be betrothed to before he emerged. She’s still interested in him, and I’m gathering that she’s the jealous type.”

“Then it’s a good thing you aren’t planning on dancing with him tonight. "

I look at my reflection in the mirror, slowly transforming into an Elite. “Good thing,” I echo.

Len rests her chin on my shoulder and meets my gaze in the mirror. “Concentrate on getting the answers you need, alright?” I nod. “And, Alora?”

“Yes?”

“Make sure to dance tonight. Even if it’s not with the prince.” A smile she can’t contain spreads across my best friend’s face, her bottomless blue eyes shining. “Because I made that dress to move .”