“Go,” Franny whispers, elbowing me in the side. It’s then I realize I haven’t moved.
On legs that feel like water, I make my way toward Dorian, each step feeling like both an eternity and a too-short instant. Once I reach him, there’s no going back. Either I’m eliminated with no way to complete my mission, or I stay. To the end. Until I win Dorian’s brittle heart and get him to seal his own fate with a kiss.
I stop before him, my heart in my throat, sweat beading at my brow. The heady fragrance of lilies fills my senses. My gaze locks on the two flowers. He hands me one and I accept it with trembling fingers, shuddering as his fingers brush mine. Or did mine brush his? I stare at the lily, and it takes me several seconds to register its color. When I do, my eyes fly to his. “It’s pink,” I say before I can stop myself.
A corner of his mouth curls. It’s one of those rare hints of mirth that appear on that stern face of his. “Would you prefer the white one?”
“No!” I rush to say. “No. Thank you.”
With a short bow, he gestures toward Father Viktor. I fumble, almost bowing back before I rememberI’mthe royal. Instead, I nod and rush to Viktor. He rests his hand on my shoulder and states his prayer. No sooner than I take my place next to the other girls do I see Franny standing before Brother Dorian.
“I’m sorry, Franny Delafonte, but this is where we part ways.”
She stands tall and extends her hand for the white lily.
He gives it to her but places his other palm over the back of her hand. “I admire your strength,” he says so quietly I almost miss it.
Her expression brightens, then Brother Billius approaches to escort her away.
* * *
An hour later,I lie on my back staring at the ceiling, pink lily clutched to my chest. I hear a clacking on my window, and glance up to see Podaxis pulling it open. I left it slightly ajar, hoping he’d come…and preferring not to leave my bed for the rest of the evening. After the tense day I’ve had, I can hardly stand to think, much less move.
He scuttles over the sill and closes the glass behind him. “I’ve never been so anxious in all my life,” he says as he climbs up my bed next to me. “When he left you and Franny for last…I thought I’d faint.” He lets out a low whistle and settles onto my pillow.
I angle my head toward him. “You watched the ceremony?”
“I was sitting with Nadia in the back.”
This brings me darting upright. I cross my legs and face my friend. “Nadia was there?”
“Mr. Tuttle too. They wanted to see how you fared. They were quite surprised to hear you referred to as Princess Maisie.”
I release a groan. “How am I supposed to face them now? I was planning on asking Nadia for more clothes tomorrow.”
“Oh, she’s already a step ahead. She told me she’s altered four more outfits and said that if you don’t come by to get them, she’ll send Klaus and Stanley dressed as elegant lady’s maids to bring them to you.”
“She did?”
He snorts a laugh. “I think it’s time to admit she’s your friend.”
I nibble my lip. Perhaps he’s right. I always thought of Podaxis as my only friend and never set out to get close to anyone from the theater. With my dark secrets and the Assassin Queen on my tail, it seemed too dangerous. But now…now Nimue knows where I am. Many of my most guarded secrets remain, but at least I don’t have to hide who I am. Could I possibly…make friends now?
I smother my hope with the reminder that there is no future for me. Not unless I succeed at my mission.
“Fine, I’ll go to the theater tomorrow after my date with Dorian. Hopefully I’ll find out when—”
“What do you mean your date with Dorian?” Podaxis says. “Were you not listening to Father Viktor? Instead of individual meetings, there will be a public spectacle. A…what did he call it? A Demonstration of Feminine Accomplishment.”
I furrow my brow. To be honest, I tuned out everything that happened after I received my lily. I was too shocked and relieved to pay attention to anything but my swirling thoughts. “What the bloody shells is a Demonstration of Feminine Accomplishment?”
Podaxis shrugs. “I suppose you are to show what makes you an accomplished young lady.”
“Like a talent show? The ones they hold on Halley Street?”
“How should I know?”
“Shells.” My eyes go unfocused. “What talents do I have?”
