“Yeah, true, plus Lucas’s dad used to work for the Court of Sirena,” said Nix.
“Excuse me?”
“You didn’t know that?”
“No.” I had studied the family trees of the great houses of each court, but I had missed that detail.
“Yeah, his dad was commander of the Royal Guard.”
“How doyouknow that?”
“No one pays attention to me. I listen. And I read. That’s all it takes. Everything’s out there. Not like it’s a big secret.”
I looked over at Lucas and Amador’s table. They were laughing, sharing some private joke, probably at someone else’s expense. I couldn’t imagine how Lucas had ended up in the Court of Sigbin if his father had been working for mine. “So, then, is his dad with the Sigbin Court now?”
Nix wasn’t listening to me; she was busy putting her books away. “Huh?” Nix asked, with a shake of her head. “His dad? No, he’s not.”
***
After lunch, Nixand I agreed to meet up again soon. I offered Nix a ride, but she had to pick something up in town, so she headedout the back door, and I went to find my obnoxious carriage ride out front.
Following a few wrong turns in the halls, I ended up lost again. I found myself in yet another completely unfamiliar wing of the school, probably reserved for the more advanced botany courses because, scattered all over the hall, there were potted plants in various states of growth. I leaned down to read a handwritten sign stuck into the dirt next to one of the seedlings:Touch me not, for if you do, I’m sure to rot.And another:If this plant you should touch, the poor wee thing will turn to muck.
I heard voices. Familiar voices. Amador and Lucas. They were nearby—and getting closer. I ducked down next to a tall ficus.Weeping Fig, the label said.
Lucas stopped in front of Amador and turned to her. I could see their feet from my hiding spot. Lucas’s boots were black with blue stitching. “Remember, she’s just a hapcanto, and half sirena of all things,” she said, emphasizing each word. “You better back me up.”
Lucas whispered back, “We have different ideas. But you make it sound like I’m against you. I’m not.”
“I hope so,” Amador said, shuffling her feet. “I’m counting on you.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he replied, irritated. “I know what you want me to do.”
They began walking again, deep in hushed conversation about their scheme, whatever it was. Unfortunately, as hard as I tried, I couldn’t hear another word of it. I waited until their footsteps faded before I scurried away in the opposite direction, heart racing. If they were talking about hapcantos, they had to be plotting against me. I had to get out of here. I wasn’t safe anywhere. I had to leave Biringan!
Then a wave of fury swept through me. I definitely wasn’t going to let two spoiled, entitled, social-climbing schemers like Amador and Lucas scare me into handing over my birthright or fleeing my ancestral world. I had as much of a right to be here as they did. No one was going to bully the rightful queen.
I found my way out by following the direction they’d taken, got into my awaiting carriage, and chewed on what I’d heard on the way back to the palace. I wished I had a phone, some way to message Nix about what was going on.
When I arrived back at my room, Elias was waiting. “We were getting worried about you, Princess. You’re late.”
“I realized I’d left a book in class,” I lied.
“Well, no matter; here you are just in time. Jinky will see you’re dressed, and then I’ll escort you downstairs.”
“For...?” I asked, confused.
“Why, the meeting, of course,” he said incredulously. “It’s very important. Your first official political engagement is with the Court of Sigbin. It’s in your agenda.”
I let out an involuntary groan. Elias looked scandalized. His eyes widened. “Princess, this is a serious matter.”
“I understand,” I said. “Remind me, what is this meeting about, again?”
“It’s a formal introduction. For the purpose of future alliances, to build rapport.”
I almost told him what I’d overheard earlier, but I kept it to myself.
“Would you prefer the courtiers arrive with you or before you?” he asked me.
