“No!” I yelp, horrified.
“That’s exactly what’s happening!”
“No, it’s not!Definitelynot!”
“Don’t be embarrassed!” Daisy nudges me with her elbow. “It’s perfectly understandable. He’s got that whole tortured-soul thing going on. Half the East Wing has a crush on him.”
“I don’t have a crush on Cygnus!” I splutter. I don’t know why my face feels so hot. “I don’t evenlikehim! Like as a person, in general!”
Truthfully, I don’t know what I feel. Everything has gotten so jumbled. I find Cygnus an exhausting and arrogant prick, but for some reason, I still want his approval. I hate his personality, but I can’t say I hatehim.Where does that put us? Friends? Allies? Just coconspirators and colleagues?
“Suuuuure,” Daisy drawls. “You two were just out picking moonlilies. We all know whatthatmeans.” She scoops up my dirty boots and deposits them in a muddy pile. “I was actually really hoping to pick some moonlilies tonight at the festival….” She giggles as I peel off my socks, my face burning.
Daisy holds out a hand. “Now, give me that kerchief so I can do your hair.”
My fingers fly protectively to my temples.Damn it.The concealment charm is long gone.
“That’s all right! I need a bath first. Why don’t I meet you down at the party?”
“Are you certain?” she asks. “Do you know what you’re wearing?”
“I’m sure I’ll find something.”
Daisy looks a little miffed. “Suit yourself. But no work dresses, all right? Wear something fun! Like the pink shoes with the flowers!”
“I won’t be boring,” I promise, snapping the door shut behind her. As soon as the latch clicks, I spin around and slideto the floor, my skirts pooling around me. Dante bounds across the room, sniffing my ankles before darting away and curling up on my chaise.
I thump my head back against the wooden door, lamenting my slew of bad decisions. The unbearable weight of reality sinks in, and it’s suddenly difficult to breathe.
I’m haunted by the look in Finn’s eyes—all the hurt and confusion I saw dancing there. And the thought of so many people combing through my private space makes me feel wholly exposed, like a raw nerve. I’m working on borrowed time. How long can I keep this act up? How long until Finn discovers I’m lying to him? That I’m keeping secrets? I recall the warning Cygnus issued on my first day in the castle.Warming Finn’s bedwon’t protect you forever. I feel in way over my head.
Closing my eyes conjures an image of home in the forest, and longing pierces my chest so violently I feel sick. I wish Mother were here. Life was lonely at the cottage, but it was safe. Straightforward. I never appreciated simplicity until now. I left home to prove I could manage on my own, but the longer I stay in Crown City, the more I worry Mother was right all along.
Agreeing to come here was a huge mistake. I need to course correct as soon as possible. I’ll finish the omnidraught, and I’ll keep my promise to Cygnus and help him unlock the gates.
Then I will go back to my cage.
Where I belong.
thought Sebastian’s name day would set fair expectations for the scale of the midsummer celebration. I was wrong.
I emerge to find Crown City transformed for the holiday. It seems like banners are hanging from every window in the valley, and thousands have taken to the streets. The palace lawn has been opened to the public and transformed into a grand bazaar of wonders. White-and-gold tents punctuate the terraces, under which courtiers, servants, and commoners alike make merry. The air is hot and thick, but the sky is perfect: a robin’s-egg blue and just a few cotton-ball clouds. Patriotic banners ripple above the crowd, featuring the crowned dragon of Verdinae soaring over a cerulean sea. I see stilt walkers and fire-breathers, mirrorhalls, billiards, and puppet shows. More marvels than I could explore in a week.
I don’t know if I’ve ever felt less like celebrating. My thoughts are haunted by Finn and the argument I had with Cygnus.
I find Daisy sitting on a hillside, gnawing on turkey legs. “There you are!” She jumps at my approach, looking giddy. “You missed it!”
“Missed what?” I ask.
“Prince Damien!”
“Damien?” I try to hide my surprise and the instant dread I feel at just the sound of his name.
“He had to get ready for the tournament!” she squeals. “But he asked me to save a dance for him tonight! I know, Iknow, he’s an ass. But no harm in picking some moonlilies, right?”
I don’t know what to say. I don’t trust Damien as far as I can throw him. But I don’t want to spoil Daisy’s excitement, so I try to smile as she leads me toward the stadium and hope it won’t come up again.
We find a spot in the back. As we sit, I consider what Damien’s interest in Daisy could signal. This could all be coincidence. Certainly, Daisy is a lovely girl, and friendlier than anyone I’ve encountered at the palace. But Damien’s timing is alarming. I remember the suspicious way he looked at me in my room. Is he using her to get information? Does he somehow know about the gates?
