Page 91

He nods. “But then there was the Duskrose. Knowing how to open the box alone won’t be enough.

To get the cards off the king, you’ll need to incapacitate him.

How else will you even give yourselves the opportunity to get the box?

I suspect”—he stands a little taller as he reaches his ultimate conclusion—“that you’re going to use a watered-down variant of the Duskrose’s pollen to put him out long enough to get the cards you need and swap for the forgeries you made. ”

A breeze passes through the garden, the only sound rustling leaves.

“You have a lot of theories, but I’m not seeing your point.” There’s a hint of challenge in Twino’s words.

“I’ve been in the palm of the crown for years.

Between Kaelis, Ravin…even the king himself—I’ve seen things they refuse to allow anyone else to see because they no longer even seem to acknowledge I’m there.

” Silas doesn’t sound proud of the information he wields.

If anything, he’s…detached. But determined.

“Things like the king’s hobby of tinkering with gears and metal.

Where the royals keep certain secrets, like the schematics.

Or how the king is afflicted by debilitatingheadaches.

There’s a medicine the king keeps on hand—prepared only by his royal physician—to alleviate the symptoms. I know where the medicine is kept, and the tea he prefers to drink it in to make it more palatable. ”

Twino and I share a look. I remember seeing the king rubbing his temples on more than one occasion. How the king’s tea was different at Ravin’s manor, something I’m sure Twino noted as well. There’s enough anecdotal evidence to support Silas’s claim.

“You’ll give us all this information?” Twino clarifies after a long moment.

“If it’s enough to earn your trust once and for all.

” Silas looks between us. “I want to help you rescue my family. Not just stand to the side.” His eyes settle on me.

“You told me once the world was too big for me to stay confined. But I can’t go anywhere without them.

Once they’re free, though, I’m going to leave and never come back.

You won’t have to worry about me being a risk to your group because I will be long, long gone. ”

Another stretch of silence. Finally, I look to Twino, who meets my gaze and holds it. I give a slight nod to his unspoken question.

“Come inside,” Twino says finally. “We’ve much to discuss, and Bristara should be a part of it.”

Priss is settled next to me, her furry head resting as heavily on my thigh as Kaelis’s is on his desk. The prince dozed off somewhere between the Six and Seven of Coins, mid-inking. I’d get up to stopper his inkpot, but laws of the cat deem that I am trapped until Priss moves.

Even though it’s quite late, I’m focused intently on my work. Kaelis managed an incredible blend of inks from the Fool’s workshop this time, and my pen is alive, dancing across the page. Winter is already thawing, giving way to spring. The Feast of Cups is growing ever closer.

And tonight is the night I complete the forgeries.

I move as if I’m possessed. Nearly a year of work comes together. I ignore the cramps in my hands, the pain in my back from hunching.

Every line must be right. Perfect.

And, as dawn breaks, they are. I set down my pen and lean back, resting my head and my eyes.

I don’t realize I’ve dozed off until the smell of hot tea and warm biscuits dappled with cheeses and pork wakes me.

For a second, before my eyes open, I almost thank Jura. But I’m quickly reminded of where I am.

There’s a tray waiting on Kaelis’s desk. The man himself stands opposite the small table he had made just for me to be the perfect height for the settee. At some point, Priss wandered off, and it’s just the two of us.

Kaelis lifts each of the cards, one by one. I feel as exposed as if I’m naked under him. After the last one, his inspection turns to me.

“You’ve outdone yourself.”

“Can’t make good cards without good ink.”

The prince holds out his hand with a slight smile. “Let’s discuss the final plans for how we’re going to literally steal from underneath my father’s nose over breakfast.”

The package arrives without a name, letter, or word. Following my afternoon classes, it’s there on my bed. Black silk ribbon skewered with a silver dagger to hold it shut.

“Really, you’re so dramatic.” Even though I sigh, a smile creeps onto my lips. He truly is, though… Pulling out the dagger and unwrapping the ribbon, I lift the top and stop with a gasp.

I can’t get naked fast enough.

I stand before my floor-length mirror, and the heavy satin of my gown whispers against the plush carpet as I turn right and left, studying every pleat.

In the low light, it looks almost black due to the heavy saturation of color.

But every shift of the satin highlights the deep, rusty red that’s almost like blood.

It’s a stunning complement to the shade of my eyes.

A lace-up front allows the dress to hug every one of my curves from my hips upward.

The heart-shaped top arcs over my breasts.

Covering their swell is lace that looks almost like silver leaves falling down my torso.

The lace runs up my neck, where it fastens with a silver clasp and then runs down over my arms.

I thought the last gown Kaelis had sent me was stunning. But this is everything.

A low whistle distracts me. Alor leans against the doorframe.

We’ve adopted the habit of leaving our doors cracked when we don’t want privacy, since there are no other rooms on the hall but ours.

No one else has ever come down this way.

If there’s one thing I’ve gathered, it’s that Swords appreciate their discretion.

Yet another reason for me to love the house.

“Don’t you look like you could sit among the royals at the ball?”

“Is it too much?” I run my hand down the front of the gown, fingers trailing along lace and ribbon.

“It’s fitting for the prince’s betrothed. After your showing at the Swords Solstice celebrations, they’ll all be watching you for what comes next.”

I nod. Alor seems to know all about my appearance at the solstice celebrations despite not being there herself. I wonder what her father said, but I haven’t asked out of fear that it could lead to more focus and scrutiny on me. “Will anyone from Clan Moon be there?”

“Worried about Eza’s family?” She’s followed my thoughts. This is the first time I’ll be publicly leaving the academy following his death.

“I’d like to have the night go smoothly.” The last thing I need is for someone to come at me in a fit of righteous vengeance. Fortunately, things in the academy have gone smoothly. No other students have stepped forward to avenge Eza. Cael and Nidus have made themselves scarce around me.

“You can take them.”

“I don’t want to have to.”

“Clan Moon are the spymasters of Oricalis. They’re not ones to start trouble overtly. Instead, they’ll maneuver their revenge from the shadows.”

“So you’re saying I should watch my back?” I’m now wondering how many nobles of Clan Moon are in the academy…in House Swords, even.

“I’d hope you were already doing that.” I give her a tired look at the remark. Her arms drop to her sides. “But, if they’re going after anyone, it’ll be my sister.”

“I don’t want Emilia fighting my battles for me.”

“That’s her duty. The second the medallion fell around your neck, it became her responsibility to guard and defend you as she would her own family.

And when she graduates this year, it will fall to the next King.

Swords are defensive and offensive, but the one thing they’re not is passive.

” Alor’s tone shifts, becoming lighter. “And, much like you, she can handle herself.”

“That I don’t doubt.” Something that had been nagging me bubbles to the surface. “I’m sorry about Eza.”

“My sister really isn’t at risk.”

“Not that.” I shake my head. “You said you were entertaining Eza earlier in the year for information. I’m sorry you lost that resource.”

She shrugs. “I got what I needed from him.”

“Which was?”

“It’s personal. You’re not the only one with secrets.” Alor’s smile tells me my asking didn’t offend. “I’m going to start sorting myself for the feast and begin packing.” She goes to leave. Students will be departing the academy for the end-of-year break following the feast.

“Would you like to share a carriage?” I ask, stopping her.

The Feast of Cups will take place outside of the academy in Eclipse City so the nobles can also be in attendance.

It’s a grand introduction of all the initiates who have progressed to being students—the Arcanists who will be assigned to noble clans next year.

The final lists of second-years’ clan postings are made public at the feast. And, it is a celebration of those graduating.

“Not this time. I’ve some other matters to attend to before and during,” she answers cryptically. Given her tone, I think I’m supposed to understand what she’s referencing, but all I can think of is the records I asked her to search for.

“Good luck” is all I can say, unsure if I’m ready for whatever she might have found.

She nods. “You, too.”

I’m left to wonder if Alor knows how badly I’ll need it. I shut the door and tug on the laces of the dress. As I go to return the garment to its box, I notice another scrap of fabric I overlooked. It must’ve bunched into the corner as I pulled out the dress.

Hooking a finger through a lacy strap, I lift a whisper of silk that claims to be a slip of a dress. Pinned to it is a note:

Wear this. Dinner tonight.