“No. One with silver ravens on the cover.”
“Ravens like the Evergorne crest?”
“Yes, that.”
Calista shook her head, frowning. “I don’t believe so.”
None of them had.
Where had it gone? I returned to my bedroom and searched for it but if the book was here, it was acting likeEmber’s Shadow, only instead of hiding the contents, it was hiding itself.
Frustrated, I decided to look for it again later. I slid the key back onto the chain with the ring and tucked them underneath the mattress.
When I returned to the sitting area, I slumped on the sofa. Farris galloped over and hopped into my lap. I felt bad that I hadn’t done much with him over the past few days. Faelith kept him busy and took care of his needs, but he was my fluffy friend, and I wanted to show him how much I adored him.
“Let’s go play outside, shall we?” I asked him.
He caught the excitement in my voice and leaped off my lap, spinning around with his puffy tail spiraling.
“You need to change for dinner,” Calista said. “You can’t go outside now.”
A glance at the window showed the sun had started to set, but it wasn’t that late yet. “I won’t be long. I want to play and so does Farris.” I ruffled the fur on the top of his head, and he leaned into my side, his tongue lolling and his tail still on fire.
Her lips thinned. “Very well.”
“Why don’t you select the gown and jewelry I’ll wear to dinner?” I said, knowing how she’d react.
“Truly, my queen?” she gushed.
“You know what’s best, Calista. I trust you.”
“My queen.” She hopped in place, almost as eagerly as Farris, clapping her hands. “I know just the right gown. And jewels! I’ll have you know that I spoke with the court jeweler, and they delivered more items to your suite this afternoon. A queen needs fine jewelry, don’t you agree?”
Maybe that was why Erisandra had visited. She’d wanted to snarl at me for daring to wear the court’s jewels.
“Thank you so much for thinking of that, Calista.”
“Shall I go with you, my queen, in case this fine fellow needs my assistance?” Faelith asked.
“Yes, please.”
Faelith’s eyebrows wiggled, and she sniffed Calista's way, her lips twitching with a hint of superiority.
The fates save me from competitive staff.
I left Calista beaming and fluttering around the suite, spouting ideas for tonight, Moira tidying the bedroom I’d left in disarray, and led Farris from the room and down the hall.
Faelith took us to a side garden, the warm sun dipping close to the horizon still casting a golden glow across the open grassy area. The sweet scent of flowers perfumed the air, and the gentle hum of insects buzzed around us. High beds of colorful flowers bloomed in front of the tall rows of hedges, leaving a large open area in the center. The hedges appeared thick enough to keep Farris from escaping.
“It’s quiet and safe for him here.” Faelith held a bag of nyxin toys. “I bring him to this garden most of the time. No need to bother others or put him in a position where he might cause offense.”
“Thank you for thinking of that.”
She bobbed her head, and a smile twitched her lips upward before they smoothed. She patted her bun while I released Farris from his leash. He sat on the grass, looking up at us with excitement sparkling in his eyes.
I sat on an ornate, white-painted metal bench, patting the space beside me. “Sit with me, Faelith.”
Her hands twitched at her sides, and her cheeks reddened. “I shouldn't, my queen.”
