“Is it?” She looks at me, one eyebrow raised. “Both require trust. Both require reading people and responding to what they need. You’re better at this than you think.”
I want to believe her. But the thought of navigating a ballroom full of masked strangers while trying to make political connections makes my hands start to shake again.
“Maybe you’ll get an opportunity with Commander Kaelix there,” Astrid continues, still sorting through gowns.
“Maybe.” I don’t sound convinced.
Another knock sounds at the door. Sharper this time, businesslike.
“That’ll be Ren,” Astrid says, turning from the wardrobe. “I should go anyway. Let you get ready. I’ll come back to help with any final touches.”
Astrid heads for the door, then slips out just as Ren enters. She’s already in her formal guard uniform – black with silver accents, weapons concealed but present – with a rolled map under one arm.
“We need to talk about tonight,” she says without preamble.
“The ball?”
“Yes.” She moves to my desk and spreads the map across it. “The Cardinals announced it this morning. Very convenient timing, very little notice. Which means they’re up to something.”
I come to stand beside her, looking down at the detailed layout of the observatory gardens. Terraced levels, hidden alcoves, too many entry points.
“What do you think they’re planning?” I ask.
“I think they’re creating opportunities.” Ren’s finger traces the various pathways through the gardens. “For alliances to form. For conflicts to escalate. For people to reveal their true intentions when they think they’re hidden behind masks.”
“Sounds dangerous.”
“It is.” She looks up at me, ice-blue eyes steady. “Lady Cyra … I don’t think they want to relinquish power after all. I think they’re trying to find ways to prove there is no one contender fit to rule, and that they should remain in charge.”
I blink. “That … that actually makes a lot of sense. Their lax security, their need to control their image every chance they get…”
“Which is why we need a plan,” Ren points to the weak spots on the map. “You’ll be exposed all night – politically, physically. Anyone who wants to make a move against you will have perfect cover.”
“Comforting.”
Her mouth almost quirks into a smile. Almost. “I’ll be shadowing you the entire time. Close enough to intervene, far enough to not be obvious about it.” She turns back to the map. “And there’s something else we need to discuss.”
The shift in her tone makes my pulse quicken. “What?”
“Lord Lucien.”
The name falls between us like a stone in still water.
“You think he’ll be there,” I say.
“Iknowhe will be.” Ren’s jaw tightens. “Hundreds of people, masks and costumes, perfect cover for observation.” She pauses. “Perfect cover for confrontation, too. If Lord Lucien approaches you, listento what he has to say. But don’t trust him completely. We need to figure out what his motives are for protecting you.”
“And you?”
“I’ll be watching. Always.” As she moves to roll the map back up, her hand brushes mine, making my heart jump into my throat. “But you need to be careful. The Cardinals are losing control and they know it. That makes them dangerous.”
“More dangerous than masked assassins and shadow lords?” I quip.
Her perfect lips twitch at the corners. “Different kind of dangerous. The kind that comes from desperation and fear of losing power.”
She finishes securing the map, stepping back and putting professional distance between us again. But the air still feels electric.
“Get ready,” she says, voice returning to its usual controlled tone. “The ball starts at sunset.”
