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The servants’ dining hall was an accosting of laughter and gossip, the energy fit for a tavern at midnight rather than such a cruel early hour.

Tanwen groaned, rubbing at her temples as she sat, staring at her barely touched plate of food. She had piled it high with fresh fruits, soft steaming rolls, and cheeses, but despite its allure, she held the stomach for none of it.

Her entire body was broken.

Or felt that way after the strenuous evening of serving practically every member at court. Her feet and knees were throbbing, her arms sore, fingers stiff, throat hoarse.

Tanwen had nearly sobbed in relief when she finally collapsed into her bed, but dawn was already encroaching Nocémi’s night, and too soon the servants’ bell had rung out.

Tanwen had whimpered, a kicked dog, as she forced herself back on her feet.

“You can sleep on the gondola ride back to Fioré,” said Huw sympathetically from where he sat beside her. “And we’ll likely have a slow night at Sumora, given most of our patrons will be busy recovering from yesterday’s celebrations.”

Huw sipped his tea before stealing one of her rolls.

“How can you be so chipper so early?” groaned Tanwen.

“I wasn’t nearly as busy as you were, little fawn. Princess Azla certainly has stamina.”

Huw was too right.

Princess Azla and her entourage had been wild in their indulgences. The more inebriated they had become, the more unabashed they had grown in their manners and magic. Tanwen learned quickly that the princess was a wind wielder, as she had been too pleased to blow off straps of gowns and lift skirts of passing guests, chortling the entire time.

The only companion of Princess Azla’s who was sober was her lady-in-waiting.

Lady Esme was consistently a step ahead of the princess: moving a glass before the princess knocked it over, catching food before it toppled from her tray to stain her dress, warming the princess with her heat magic when a cooler breeze passed through. She was also the only one in their group who did not indulge in docüra.

Like the prince.

But Tanwen didn’t want to think about the prince. And not only because her body seemed to betray her in his presence, but because of what else she had learned last night. That he could be gentle and inquiring and, worst of all, that he appeared to care for the princess despite their rather tumultuous family history.

Beneath his exasperated facade toward Princess Azla when she had appeared, Tanwen had seen the truth in his heart by the way he indulged her whimsy. Even with his scowl, she could see the amused warmth in his gaze.

It was a look Thol often gave Tanwen.

The thought disturbed her: that he could be so kind to his own family and yet so cruel to another’s.

Tanwen cleared her throat, forcing away her unwanted musings and refocusing her attention on Huw. “But you were out just as late as I,” accused Tanwen. “I saw you walk into the dormitory after me.”

“Yes,” agreed Huw. “But that had nothing to do with work.”

Tanwen followed Huw’s line of sight, to where it was hooked to a young footman two tables away. The young man regarded Huw with open desire, a curling grin to his lips.

“I’m glad some of us had a good time, then,” she replied dryly.

“Oh, don’t pout, my love.” Huw turned to face her, leaning one elbow on the table. “You did splendidly last night. In fact, you rendered most of us atentés useless.”

“That’s not true.” Tanwen shifted uncomfortably. “Everyone had empty bowls by the end.”

Tanwen had wanted to stand out, but perhaps not by so much.

It was impossible to ignore the humming of whispers around her this morning. She, the atenté who had been beckoned by both prince and princess.

While some of the residual effects were pleasant, palace servants now greeting her kindly, even with respect, there were still the royal atentés who glared at her as though they wished to push her over a ledge.

Particularly one atenté.

“Don’t pay Gwyn any mind,” Huw advised, sensing where Tanwen’s attention had traveled. “She’s merely not used to being outshone. The princess is her charge. It’s natural she’d feel threatened with how favored you were last night. To my complete delight to witness, of course.”

Gwyn was seated in the corner of the dining hall, a royal of her own among her circle of admirers. And there was certainly much to admire. Gwyn’s brown skin was flawless, smoother than worked stone, her figure voluptuous, while her chestnut hair was her highlighting feature. Her Pelkish horns artfully curled against her silky curls, all framing prominent cheekbones and full lips.

Though Gwyn’s beauty turned sour as she noticed Tanwen’s stare.

Gwyn leaned toward her companions, likely saying something insulting that made the whole table laugh and look at Tanwen.

Tanwen’s cheeks grew hot, ire awakening in her gut, her old but never healing wound of being gossiped about breaking open once more.

Tanwen concentrated on her plate. “How do you know her again?” she asked Huw.

“She used to work at Sumora,” he explained. “I was a greeny like you, actually, when I met her. Or, rather, was trampled by her. She doesn’t long tolerate those who don’t fall into line at her side.”

“And she got promoted to the palace?”

“Mm-hmm.” Huw nodded as he forked one of Tanwen’s strawberries, then plopped it into his mouth. “After a party much like the one last night. Her goal was always to work in the palace, though. We were all glad to see her leave.”

Tanwen considered this. “And you?” she asked. “Have you no desire to work here?”

Huw snorted. “The only ambition of mine is to live.”

His answer disturbed Tanwen, only in that it mirrored her own. Well, before she was set with the task to reunite her family.

At the reminder, her stomach clenched.

“ Bogs ,” she cursed as she stood.

Tanwen was meant to reconnect with Eli in the dormitory before they left. He had taken to searching the palace while she had been busy attending to the party. Tanwen had hoped he’d have found something of value for her to do some snooping of her own prior to their departure.

“Where are you going?” Huw’s brows pinched in concern.

“What is the time?” She ignored his question.

“I’m not sure.” Huw glanced to the view of the sky beyond a nearby window. “Early.”

“I have to do something before we leave,” she said, untangling from the table. “I’ll see you at the gondola.”

“But you haven’t eaten anything.”

“It’s all yours.”

Before Tanwen could take so much as a step away, she was stopped by a courier. “Madam Arini wishes to speak with you both,” informed the man, his palace chiton pressed and immaculate.

“Us both?” questioned Tanwen.

“Yes, you and Mr. Lew.”

“Mr. Lew?” Tanwen turned to Huw, unable to hold back her grin. “Your name is Huw Lew?”

Huw pursed his lips, less than pleased by this leaked information. “One of many egregious oversights by my parents,” he muttered. “You don’t have to look so very happy about it.”

“But I think I do,” countered Tanwen, her smile widening.

“What is it that Madam Arini wants with us?” Huw asked the courier, attempting to redirect the conversation.

“For you to see her.” The man tutted. “Now come—she doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

Madam Arini’s office was a reflection of herself. Neat, impersonal, and sharp. Tanwen stood with disquiet as she eyed the spilling bouquet of white-thorned roses atop her desk. Of which the marble top was carved into a sharp triangle, its tip pointed directly at where Tanwen and Huw hovered. A spear aimed at the accused.

“I’m going to get to this quickly, as I have other matters to attend to this morning,” said Madam Arini from where she sat, poised upright in her chair. At her back, a large window framed her tall horns and thin frame. “You will not be heading back to Fioré today.”

Tanwen blinked and then blinked again, not trusting her ears.

“It appears,” she continued haughtily, “that you have pleased the proper guests from last night’s celebration. You will be promoted, starting today, to serve in the palace as part of my royal atentés.”

A ringing filled Tanwen’s head as she floated for a moment above her body.

You will be promoted ... to serve in the palace ... starting today.

A bubble of deranged laughter nearly left her as Madam Arini’s words finally sank in.

By the Eternal River!

She was to stay.

In the palace!

Where her father and Thol were being held.

Where she could search for them.

Find them.

And then set them all free.

Tanwen inhaled a stuttering breath, her chest feeling as though it might burst from her in shock and relief and gratitude. Her plan had worked . By the Low Gods, it had worked! She had bloomed and was being brought inside. She could not wait to write to her mother to tell her the news. At the thought, a punch of homesickness lodged between Tanwen’s ribs.

But her moment of melancholy was robbed by Madam Arini’s cool voice addressing Huw.

“Mr. Lew,” she began. “As you know, finding quality male atentés has always been difficult. So while, yes, you were requested by a courtier to be pulled to the palace, you will still need to prove your worth to me.”

“Of course, ma’am.” Huw bowed, exaggeratingly too low. “I live only to serve you and the court.”

Madam Arini sucked her teeth, unimpressed with Huw’s mock deference.

“And you, Ms. Coster.” She turned her shrewd gaze on Tanwen.

Tanwen stiffened.

“I’m sure you are pleased with how well you and your docüra performed last night.”

It was a feat that Madam Arini could make such a statement sound so accusatory.

“Yes, ma’am,” replied Tanwen.

“I will expect you to teach the others this prayer you say you use to enhance your mixture.” She eyed Tanwen expectantly, fingernails clacking on her desk.

Tanwen kept herself from shifting, with a hard swallow in her throat. It was a test, of course. To learn if Tanwen was a charlatan or not. Could she reproduce what she had last night?

“I will certainly do my best to try, ma’am. Though it’s not a tried-and-true method,” she explained.

“I’m sure it’s not,” said Madam Arini, eyes narrowing. “Nevertheless, I will expect you to bring added value to my atentés; otherwise you are merely another mouth to feed, especially as you will be sharing the same duties with another of my staff.”

“Same duties, ma’am?” Tanwen questioned.

“You now will be serving the princess as one of her personal atentés.”

Tanwen’s mouth went agape.

“A role that will be shared with Ms. Allyga,” she explained.

Icy dread replaced Tanwen’s moment of glee, understanding settling.

“ Gwyn Allyga?” Tanwen asked.

“Indeed,” Madam Arini confirmed, a knowing glimmer in her eye at Tanwen’s unease. “You both will take turns looking after Princess Azla. You’ll find that Her Royal Highness is a loyal sort, which is why she is keeping Ms. Allyga on. Usually atentés are replaced, but in this case, she has commanded for you both to see to her needs.”

“As the princess wishes,” said Tanwen with a bow, forcing herself to appear calm despite her racing pulse and growing terror.

This was not good.

“Any of your belongings still at Sumora, a courier will deliver later this evening,” explained Madam Arini. “You will be fitted for uniforms upon leaving my office and shown to your stations within the atentés’ quarters. Your responsibilities in your roles start now.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Tanwen and Huw replied in unison.

“That will be all.”

Once dismissed, Tanwen shuffled out into the hall with Huw, her breaths feeling trapped in her lungs.

“Congratulations, little fawn.” Huw wrapped his arm around Tanwen’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “Look at the pair of us: me impressing courtiers, you a princess. Both getting promoted to work in the palace.” He sighed. “Finally, I don’t need to fib in my diary about living an exciting life.”

Tanwen remained quiet, thoughts swirling.

“You don’t seem pleased?” Huw observed before clicking his tongue in understanding. “Gwyn will learn to share.”

“Will she?” Tanwen challenged, brows raised.

“No,” admitted Huw. “She’ll be wretched, but luckily you have me. I’ll teach you how to deal with such sour grapes.”

“I know how to deal with them,” Tanwen conceded, the weight of exhaustion settling upon her. “I’ve spent my whole life dealing with them, actually.”

Huw regarded her curiously, which made Tanwen regret her words.

She needed to be more careful with what she shared.

Huw might be showing signs of loyalty, but there was no guarantee he’d stay that way if he found out the person he was currently embracing was Mütra.

Which was the precise danger of Gwyn.

If Tanwen couldn’t trust a friend with her secret, how catastrophic would it then be to work so closely with an enemy?

For that’s exactly how Gwyn would view Tanwen: as a threat to everything she had worked toward.

But the feeling would be mutual.

Tanwen had not come this far, gambled, and sacrificed so much to cower.

While in the palace, Tanwen had her own ambitions.

Her veins brimmed with anxious anticipation for her task ahead.

She would locate her father and brother, free them, and find a way off this island.

And Tanwen was determined to succeed, whatever the cost.