The dress they gave me for the ball was both beautiful and functional. It was simple and lightweight, but elegant. I could hide my sheaths easily, but remained unlined.

The sun was still up as I got dressed, everyone else lacing up their boots and leather armor. I desperately wanted mine, but there was only so much a dress could hide.

Zann knocked on the room door, beckoning me to the hallway. “Kaiya,” he smiled. “I know you’re a guest at this ball, but you’re still my personal guard. I’d appreciate if you acted like it.”

“And what made you think I would act otherwise?”

His smile dropped and leaned in close. His breath smelled sour. “I know you and Enri were close, but you should have made your peace on the way.”

I straightened, standing nearly eye to eye with him as I hid my scowl behind neutral dissatisfaction. “I have long since made my peace with people I care about leaving me. Life happens and we move on. Make sure you do the same.” I pushed past him and started to walk to one of the open windows. “I’ll see you when the party starts. You have the rest of your guard to protect you until then.”

I stepped onto the sill and out, falling to the ground below. I was above the east topiary garden and as the sun was close to the horizon, people were making their way to the north. There were gasps as people noticed me, but I ignored them as I scanned the crowd. Most of them were important nobles, but I spotted the bright orange and yellow colors of the Rarilo kingdom. Made sense. After almost sixteen years, Enri was back. They would want to make sure the news was true.

As I scanned more, I saw more colors. The blue and teal of the Asroci kingdom. The red and white of the Nomi queendom. There was even the brown and black of the Minbu queendom. Fera was considered neutral territory as long as they stayed out of the war, but that was an interesting choice considering the recent hostilities.

I landed next to a strong-looking Minbi soldier. She looked offended for a second, then quickly averted her gaze and bowed. “Madam Kaiya.”

“Well, that’s tragic,” I said. “What’s your name?”

“Gebi of Barr.”

“Well, Gebi of Barr, how do you know me? And just how well am I known?”

“Far and wide,” she said. Her party was leaving her behind, but she stayed rooted to her spot. I started to walk so we could keep them in sight. “In Minbu, at least. After what you did for that Berra civilian, chatter spreads. And now that you are a terrifying wind mage, it spreads even more.”

“For Noram?” That was probably the weirdest thing I’d heard in a while. “What do you mean?”

She paused as if unsure but spoke up and said, “The Berra Clan is well known in Minbu and the other western domains, as they’re a nomadic clan. They’re top fighters in every respect and could take on a bear without flinching. Despite the tension between Minbu and Yvanta, mail goes uninterrupted. Lenris is one of the few to ever settle down and is my friend’s cousin. Once we knew, it was pretty much all over.”

Part of me hated that I was known outside of Yvantan borders, but the other part of me was glad it started with Noram. I’d put so much of myself on the line to save him, and that was what others knew about me.

“What makes me so terrifying?”

“Everything.”

I smiled. What an impression I’ve made. “I suppose that answers that. Go ahead,” I said. “Thank you for answering my questions.”

Gebi bowed. “Of course. Excuse me.”

“And don’t bow the next time you see me!” I shouted after her. “It’s weird!”

I could see her shake with laughter as she moved on.

I meandered my way to the north garden, taking in all the people. Before, it would have taken all of my concentration to feel the people in a twenty-foot radius of me, but now I could feel how many people were in the palace, where, and who they were based on their steps. Even their heartbeats were on display for me, but I did my best to ignore that. Enri and Forana were in Forana’s chambers getting ready together. They would be fashionably late while Zann and the guard were already on their way. No better way to form alliances than to mingle at the party celebrating your prisoner’s release.

There were also three different sets of feet that were skulking about the edge of the palace that I recognized. They were the three that had been following me while I was here over the summer. If they were really Zann’s spies, I’d have to keep them in my periphery. There was no telling what he was up to.

“Corek, can you hear me?”

There was a long pause. She was probably listening to someone else speak. “Yes.”

“Three of Zann’s spies are here. I’m going to keep my ear to the ground for them, but be careful. He may have more.”

“Understood. We’re entering the garden now.”

“I’ll be there soon.”

The north garden was far more exquisite than the western one we had spent our time in. It was bigger, with lanterns strung through the trees and bushes. They had set tables up through the garden, so no matter how far you went, there was a table of treats not far away. Floating mage lights lit up the garden with a soft glow as the sun began to sink further into the ground.

By the time I arrived, the sun was completely set, and the lanterns and mage lights were the only way to see. For non-mages, that is.

I made my way to Zann and could see the guard hovering a few feet away from him while he talked to some foreign dignitary in a blue and teal sash. He saw me coming, but said nothing as I walked up next to him.

The dignitary didn’t notice my approach until I was right in front of him. He hid his surprise valiantly, though I could feel his heartrate rocket. He smiled. “You must be Madam Kaiya. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

I smiled, trying to remember how Enri did it back at my ball. “Pleased to meet you as well. It’s been a gift being able to serve His Majesty.” I heard someone snort behind me, and they covered it with a cough.

Zann, for all he was worth, couldn’t hide his shock. Anytime I did something that was in his best interest, he always looked surprised, like he expected me to put up a fight. Even though, for the past month and a half, I’d been doing just that.

The dignitary didn’t see, as he was still looking at me. He gave me a look I was familiar with from older men, and I repressed the urge to punch him and watch his jowls ripple from the force. “It’s amazing that a beauty such as yourself can wield such power. Would you mind giving me a demonstration?”

I looked at Zann and he managed to compose himself enough to say, “I’m not sure if this would be the best place for that, Atinae. Her Highness Princess Enri is the subject of this gathering. Perhaps you could pay us a visit in the future.”

“Hmm. Perhaps I could. It’s been a while since I’ve been this far south. A little further wouldn’t hurt.”

I bowed a little. “It would be very generous of you to come visit to see me demonstrate.”

“It would be my pleasure,” he said. He couldn’t have hidden his leering gaze if he tried. “To watch you perform would be something out of the myths.”

How did Enri get out of these conversations? What did she say that didn’t offend them but let her leave? I smiled wider and said, “I’m quite thirsty right now. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get something to drink.”

I bowed and made my way toward the table. It was atrocious the way I had to kowtow to old men and aristocrats I couldn’t give less of a shit about if I tried, but at least it was something I was good at. Having worked retail with a boss who would give in at the slightest provocation meant I had to be the one cleaning up after him. To this day, it pissed me off.

The tables of food helped free me of my irritation as I perused the hors d’oeuvres. I was loading up my plate while I looked around the garden when Corek’s voice sliced through my head.

“We have a problem.” Her voice was hard, bordering on panic as she reached out to me. “Zann’s changed his plans. It’s been expedited. He’s going to assassinate her tonight.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. There are so many people here it would be probable that anyone here could have done it.”

I grabbed a cup and made my way across the table. “It would be a good cover and cause so much disarray, Forana would have to figure out what to do quickly.”

“How many people would know she would be back today?”

“So many. There are people from at least four other domains here. More that I’m sure I didn’t spot.”

She grunted. “This is bad. We need to fix this.”

“Their movements will be restricted, so I’ll keep eyes on them.” There was only so much they could do once they’re in front of their people. “Keep Denma and Sighlu with you at all times. They can’t be trusted.”

“Understood.”

It was one thing when we had at least another month to figure out the details of our plan. Now, in the middle of a busy party, the act was to be done. His spies hadn’t set foot in the palace. I would have noticed them the moment they walked in. They were probably there to make sure no unsavory people snuck in after Zann, but something could have happened still. I wasn’t paying attention to most things the past few days since Enri hadn’t had the wherewithal to put her walls back up and her thoughts kept leaking through.

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There was also the matter of Forana’s personal chefs and her family. The chefs had been vetted, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t turn. Her family was the next likely contenders for poisoners since they were trusted. I wanted to cross them off the list, but I knew nothing about them.

I felt the moment Enri took her first step into the garden. As always, I turned to find her. Arm in arm with Forana, she walked with her head high, a small smile on her face. Finally, free from the red and black of Yvanta, her gown was deep purple that faded to black around her ankles and shimmered in the light. She was the most beautiful person I’d ever seen.

I felt bad interrupting her spotlight.

“We have a problem.”

Her eyes flickered around the garden as people bowed and greeted her until her eyes landed on me. She looked ahead again. “What is it?”

“They moved the assassination to tonight. Does Forana know?”

“No.” She nodded to someone who bowed so deep I thought they would fall over. “It’s a serious accusation to levy against him. Even if my family wasn’t suspicious of me, it would just be hearsay.”

“Suspicious? You were a prisoner for sixteen years. Why would they be suspicious?”

“It’s easy to indoctrinate someone at a young age.” Someone offered her their hand for a dance, and she shook her head. She said something I couldn’t hear and continued walking with Forana. “He assassinated her mother in the past, so she knows he’s not above it. It’s only hearsay, of course, but it’s an open secret.”

I started to move away from the food, walking towards Zann again. He would start to get pissy if I didn’t come back. “How do you want to handle this? The girls have eyes on the other guards, and I have eyes on you.”

“How much of the palace can you feel?”

“All of it.”

“Find somewhere you can concentrate and try to figure out if anyone here is suspicious. Their breath, their walk—anything.”

“His spies are here as well. Keep your eyes and ears up.”

“Of course. And Kaiya?”

“Yeah?”

“My mother gives her condolences.” My heart clenched, but I kept moving. If I blinked fast enough, the tears would go away. “She tried to get Sayla out of here, but was too slow.”

“When I see her, I’ll let her know how appreciated she is. Be safe.”

Zann was talking to some other noble when I came back. This time was a middle-aged woman in bright red and flashing white. She looked like she could give Vanli a run for her money. I waited until they noticed me standing a few feet away.

“Kaiya, welcome back,” Zann said. “Let me introduce you to Her Royal Majesty Mingre of Nomi.”

I bowed as she said, “I prefer General Mingre.”

“Of course, General Mingre. I’m sorry to interrupt, but may I borrow His Majesty for a moment?”

She looked me up and down before saying, “As you will.”

We stepped away for a moment and I leaned in close, whispering, “I’m going to check the grounds for anyone lurking. I can feel something, but I can’t focus here.”

He looked shocked again and nodded. I bowed again and left, making my way to the edge of the crowd. Stepping away from the lights, my vision adjusting to the moonlight as I moved further away. I kicked off my shoes and ground my feet in. I started to breathe.

In…

Out…

In…

Out…

Everything was laid out in my mind. From the trees to the gates to the grass and the partiers. Everyone moved, breathed, and danced differently. Even people who were all dancing the same, I could tell them each apart.

Enri and Forana were still entertaining people, standing on a dais for people to come greet them. Someone was hovering nearby, standing close to them since they walked out of Forana’s room. She was the queen’s personal guard. I recognized her from our midnight stroll when I was last here. Despite shooing away the other guards, that one stayed a few yards behind her.

Zann’s spies were still skulking around the periphery. They were closer than before, but still at a distance. In the palace, I could feel the staff rushing about, preparing food and getting rooms ready to host.

There were also two people lurking around the servants’ entrances that I recognized but couldn’t quite place. They were moving back and forth from the kitchen to the entrance. I knew them, but not well enough to place them. I honed my focus in there. One had lighter steps, hurrying to and from. The other had heavier footsteps, but still light. They both had weapons and…

“Oh, shit, it’s Tivna and Morli.”

What were they doing in the servants’ part of the castle? They were both protecting Sayla on the queen’s orders, but now that Sayla was gone, they would likely have gone back to the normal guard. Unless they’d been punished, but there was no way they could stand a chance against Vanli.

Suddenly, there was a huge commotion around Tivna and Morli. Heavy steps thundered toward them, and Tivna and Morli fought against the guards. The twins went down, but dragged the guard along to the ground. Someone with a low voice rumbled something at Tivna and Morli before yanking them to their feet. Tivna and Morli escaped and started to run. The group was on the move now, head fast towards—

“Son of a bitch.” I dug myself out of the ground and put my shoes back on.

They were headed towards the ball in a hurry. This was going to be a mess.

I cursed the fact that I wasn’t familiar enough with them to ask what they were doing and why they were about to be dragged before the queen. Better yet, I had more pressing questions about how they were even alive if Sayla was kidnapped.

Moving as quickly as I could without bringing too much attention to myself, I made my way back to Zann, who seemed just as confused as when I left. I guess the novelty of it just wouldn’t wear off.

“Welcome back, Kaiya.” He raised his glass. “All is well, I hope.”

I looked toward the entrance, feeling the stomp of the guard’s feet. “No, but you’ll see.”

I didn’t even have time to warn Enri before Tivna and Morli burst into the garden, startling the guests. They moved quickly, making their way toward the queen, and I made my way toward them. Zann protested as I left his side, but the rest of his guard surrounded him and he just grumbled something I couldn’t hear.

They fell to their knees in front of the queen before being grabbed.

“My queen!” Tivna yelled. “Please listen to us.”

The man with the deep voice rumbled quietly, but the abrupt silence let his voice carry. “You will never have an audience, traitors.” Traitors? There wasn’t a pair alive that was more devoted to queen and country. “Excuse us, Your Majesty.”

“Wait.” Forana stood from her seat and approached the twins. “You two have always been loyal. What’s the meaning of this?”

The guard answered for them. “We caught these two in the kitchen attempting to poison your food.”

“We were not!” Morli said. He was fighting against his restraints, but not enough to get loose. “We were trying to make sure that she wasn’t poisoned. We had reason to believe that King Zann of Yvanta is here to assassinate you.”

The crowd gasped, whispers flying faster than anyone could take a breath. Eyes found him, and he looked appropriately hurt by the accusation. I stared a little longer and realized he was hiding his surprise. Singling him out, I could feel his heart begin to pick up speed. This wasn’t part of his plan.

Forana frowned, looking down at them. “That’s a serious allegation. And what proof do you have?”

“Sayla, your trusted soldier, was the one who told us.”

Forana’s frown deepened, her brows furrowing. She looked just like Enri did when she was thinking hard about something. “Sayla has since passed on to the hands of Ankth. She also never left the country until shortly before her death. There is no way to corroborate this.” I could feel their hearts start to race. They didn’t know until now. She looked to the guards. “What is this about poison?”

“This.” He produced a vial from his coat. “We found this on them when they snuck into the kitchen. They were going to put this belladonna into your food.”

“We would never!” Tivna cried. She started to fight against her captor, who slammed her to the ground. “We would never betray the queen.”

“He’s lying, Your Majesty,” Morli said. “We never had any poison. We’ve been trying to— After Sayla we—” His voice broke, and he shook his head. “We would never.”

Forana stared at them, her face unreadable. She took a deep breath. “Take them away. I don’t want to see them again.”

“Your Majesty, please. If you just listened—”

“I listened.” She turned away to Enri, leaning in close to whisper something. Enri looked serene as she nodded. Taking her seat again, her eyes flickering to me for a moment before going back to her mom.

“Take them and leave.”

Forana looked like she was composing herself to address the crowd.

No, wait. She was stalling. If possible, my respect for her grew tenfold.

“Queen’s orders. Now.”

I didn’t hesitate to move. Ignoring Zann’s protests as I started forward, I jumped over the crowd, zipping past people before they even realized what was happening. Wind whipped around the party, extinguishing the lanterns and jostling the mage lights.

Dropping to the ground in front of the guards who were carrying Tivna and Morli, I set my hair on fire, and they startled back. The one holding Morli let their grip relax enough that he managed to break free. The big man holding Tivna didn’t move and even held on as I sank him into the ground to his hips. She managed to pull out of his grip and flipped away from the guards, who began to make a move toward them.

“Kaiya!” I turned to see Corek rushing toward me. I had no doubt that she meant to follow me, and I expected nothing less. Anything to get away from him.

I grabbed the vial of poison from the big guard and jumped back. As I moved, I saw Clecia and Eumen through the crowd. They looked panicked but didn’t move away from Zann.

“Stay in touch,” Eumen said.

“Always.”

Before the guards could regroup, I yelled, “Here!” Without so much as a question, they crowded me, and I wrapped us in a powerful gust of wind, lifting us up into the night sky. We rose quickly, the lights fading as we moved west.

Everything was in disarray. People were talking loudly about what happened, shuffling around the garden, trying to move away. Guards were flooding the area to keep everyone calm and together. A few found a terra mage to release the big one. Enri and Forana were being surrounded at the dais to be spared from the chaos.

The last thing I saw in the garden was Zann’s sneer as watched his all his (my) hard work disappear over the tree line and into the city.

“Where are we going?” Corek asked.

“Somewhere safe and then somewhere far away. We need to regroup.”

“We can never go back to Yvanta. Not without a fight.”

I laughed without humor. “Wouldn’t expect anything less.”