That feeling only worsened when I noticed that all the dancers, including Melaena, wore a variety of silk dresses in a bouquet of colors. I hadn’t even thought about what to wear since I only had one set of clothes. Clothes that probably smelled like the street and Aiden’s salve.
One by one, the dancers’ eyes widened as I approached the stage. They began to whisper behind their hands. A few seemed curious, others looked outright scornful.
Melaena stopped talking and turned to smile at me. “Ah, and here she is! Ladies, as I was saying, this is Kiera. She’ll be joining us for Asher’s celebration.”
I tried to smile past my nerves that buzzed like flies in my ears.
Melaena waved to her dancers. “I’ll introduce you to everyone in a moment, Kiera. How about we find you something to wear that will be easier to dance in? Ladies, start your exercises.”
The dancers obediently snapped to formation and began to twist and bend, warming their muscles.
Melaena beckoned me. “Come, the dressing room is backstage.”
I climbed the stairs on the side of the stage and followed Melaena behind the gold-painted backdrop.
She nodded to it as we passed. “Usually, we have much more detailed scenes depicted because I like to incorporate a story into our shows. But since Asher’s celebration will be at his house, this will do for practice.”
“Does he have a stage as well?”
She laughed, the silvery chains threaded through her hair twinkling. “He probably wishes he had one as grand as this. But he does have a very large ballroom where we will dance in the middle before dispersing into the crowd.” She sobered. “I suppose that is when you will need to get close to him. Do you have much experience with men?”
My cheeks warmed as she guided me past a mess of ropes and pulleys. “Some, yes.”
“Excellent. That will make my job much easier.” She led me to the back wall and through the only door. “Here’s the dressing room.”
My eyes widened, taking in the numerous outfits hung on a dozen racks around the room.
“It also has a bathing and makeup area,” she added, pointing to a row of mirrors atop tables littered with paints, powders, and brushes. A tall screen mostly hid a large bathtub in the corner.
“Most of my dancers live in the rooms I keep through there.” Melaena nodded to a door at one end of the room. “The sitting rooms—like the one you first came through—are on the other side of that door.” She gestured to a door at the opposite end.
“I had no idea this place was so huge,” I admitted, running my fingers over an exquisite silk costume. Dyed violet with clusters of gold beaded flowers sewn around the waist and bodice, it was one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen. It was much more revealing than anything I’d worn as a princess, but that made it even more alluring.
Melaena’s smile softened. “This place was my mother’s pride and joy, and my father took diligent care of it when she died. Now it’s my turn to continue their legacy.”
I released the dress, rubbing my fingers on my pants as if the dress had dirtied me instead of the other way around. “So, you’ve lived in the Noble Quarter your whole life?” Had she known Julian? “How did you meet Aiden?”
Her blue eyes turned cautious. “Yes, I have. I met Aiden through a friend, and we quickly became friends as well.” She tilted her head to the side, studying me. “We’re not lovers, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“No!” The word burst out of me, and I tried to laugh it off. “No, I was just curious because this doesn’t seem like the sort of place he frequents.”
She gave me a knowing look, but smiled. “Indeed. He usually deems himself much too busy to enjoy something as simple as a dance.”
Busy doing what? And what “friend” had introduced them? But I didn’t want to push her too hard. I was supposed to be earning her trust as well.
“I’m sorry about your parents, though,” I said softly. “You must’ve cared for them a great deal to take such good care of their legacy.”
“Thank you, and yes, I miss them every day.” She hesitated. “Are your parents still alive?”
My heart froze for a beat. “I... I never knew my father. And my mother died a few years ago.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. May the gods find her soul. Was she in the palace with you?”
Suspicion crept in. “Why do you want to know? Did Aiden tell you to ask me these questions?”
Her black eyebrows arched in surprise. “Of course not. I was simply curious. I thought... perhaps...” She pressed her lips together.
My body tensed. Oh gods, did she recognize me somehow? Had she heard something about me? “Perhaps what?”
