“Can’tyoudo that?”
Valen smiled humorlessly. “I’m not her type.”
“How can you not be her type? Does she have straw for brains? You’re everyone’s type.”
Valen blinked at me, and my stomach dropped like a stone down a well. I’d just completely given away that I found him attractive, hadn’t I?
“I saw you at Tullus’s party,” I said quickly. “You would’ve needed a sword to fend off all the fawning ladies.”
“Yes, well…” Valen coughed and looked away. “Princess Regula likes her men younger, more delicate, and much more bootlicking.”
I quickly changed form, hoping to keep his attention away from my accidental confession. Taking on a slender male body, I fashioned glamorous clothing with tights that showed off my legs. I made my face as fine-boned and attractive as I could, withthick eyelashes and chestnut-colored hair that fell artfully across my forehead.
Valen assessed me closely. “Not bad, but change the hair. She prefers blonds.”
That was easy enough.
“And the shirt,” he said. “Make it a looser style, the kind that opens in the front to show off the chest.”
I made the change, having seen men wearing that when we’d gone out dancing.
“Good.” He looked me slowly up and down, gaze lingering on my now-exposed chest. He swallowed. “I expect she’ll find you tantalizing.”
“Do you?” I asked, and immediately wanted to die of mortification. “I mean, do you find men attractive?”
He shrugged. “I’ve had a few male lovers, but I usually prefer women.” His gaze pinned me with a strange intensity. “And you?”
I made a muffled choking sound. I’d rather kiss a plague rat than have this conversation, but Ihadtechnically started it.
“I’ve only ever fooled around with one man, and it was disappointing.”
I looked down at the scroll, desperately searching for something that I could use to change the subject.
“You never tried again?” he asked.
“Never met anyone worth the risk. I’ve seen too many women die in childbirth. Not to mention all the diseases. Don’t you—”
I snapped my mouth shut. I didnotwant to steer the conversation to his potential venereal diseases. God and Goddess, what was wrong with me?
“We have methods of preventing that,” he said, guessing what I’d been about to say. “And I see a healer regularly.” His eyes sharpened. “Do you need—”
“No, I used some of Tullus’s money on a full healer’s examination.”
He nodded. And was I imagining it, or did he look relieved?
“Exits,” I blurted out, waving at the scroll. “What’s our plan for getting out once we’ve got the jewel?”
He hesitated before turning back to the scroll, all business again.
“Ideally, we’ll walk back out the main doors at the end of the ball. Timing is key. We can’t steal it too soon, or we’ll look suspicious for leaving the ball early.”
“But you’ve got backup escape routes planned in case everything goes to shit?”
“Of course. No fewer than three.”
Good. He knew what he was doing. I looked at the sketch of the grand ballroom, imagining it full of dancers and musicians. Too bad we couldn’t just take the jewel and run. I hated the idea of mingling with snobby fey for hours, but that was why Valen had insisted on all those damned etiquette lessons.
“Will Amatien and Ishaq be there?” I asked, thinking it would be nice to see a friendly face or two.
