“What?” I stared at her in confusion.
But my mother flapped her arms at me, gesturing for me to take the clothing Faylee was holding out. “You heard her! Hurry!”
Bemused, I accepted the gown being pushed on me and raced back to my room. I pulled it on with some difficulty, gaping at myself in the mirror when I’d finished.
I smoothed my hands down the soft material, finer than anything I’d ever worn. It looked like something Gina’s mother would put her in—right before complaining that the sash had been tied crooked. Clearly it had come from the Robarts’ wardrobes. But why was I being hurried into it?
When I reappeared, Faylee ran a critical eye over me.
“Thank goodness it’s the right length,” she said. “I wasn’t sure. Now come on, we need to get going.”
“But where? And why the hurry?” I threw a helpless look at my mother as Faylee hustled me out the door and onto the street.
A carriage waited for us, barely able to fit on our narrow street. I only had time to raise my brows before I was thrust up the steps and inside.
Once we were both seated and the horses had begun moving, I tried again.
“Whatever is going on, Faylee? Where are we going?”
“To the palace,” she said matter-of-factly. “To see the king. I was delayed because I had to find a relative the same height and build as you, and we don’t want to be late.”
“The king?” My mouth fell open, terror filling me. “Faylee, why are we going to see the king?”
“Mainly you’re going to see him. I’m just tagging along because I have enough credit to force myself into situationswhere I’m not wanted.” She flashed her straight, white teeth in a grin.
“It would have been your young man here with you instead of me,” she continued at my unintelligible sound of protest. “But thankfully he has the good sense to recognize his own limitations—such as the last-minute provision of an appropriate gown. So he trusted me with getting you to the palace on time. And I believe in keeping the trust given to me.”
“But why does the king want to see me?” I managed to get out.
“You must have heard that the Reds confirmed the man you captured is the real Shrouded Mage,” she said. “And they rushed through his sealing ceremony only yesterday.”
I nodded. The lower city had been abuzz.
“They’re still debating what to do with him next—whether to execute him or just lock him away for life,” she continued. “But as far as the king is concerned, this chapter is closed, and he’s very pleased about it.” She looked grim despite her words, and I cast her a careful look, remembering something important.
“I heard the last victim was a Robart,” I said. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
She nodded. “He was a distant cousin, but the family is furious.”
“Is that why you’re here?” I asked.
She nodded. “The crown allowed law enforcement to deceive the commonborn population, so that we thought the threat was over. I’m sure the king was less than pleased when he heard the next victim came from a family with teeth.” She bared hers, her expression fierce.
“But he’s the king!” I protested.
Faylee looked at me and laughed, her expression relaxing. “Calm down. I’m not going to challenge him for his throne. I’m just going to do the same thing anyone with power would do inmy place—remind him that I can’t be safely ignored and see if I can maneuver the situation to some advantage.” She gave me a smile. “In this case, I intend to right my family’s ledger by settling an old wrong.”
I decided not to even question that, instead looking out the closest window as the University flashed past. If we’d already reached the University, we were almost at the palace.
I gulped as the carriage rolled through the open palace gates. I wasn’t sure my legs were going to hold me as I climbed down, but thankfully Zak was waiting for me, taking my arm and giving me strength.
I smiled up at him, but my eyes must have looked a little wild because he laughed quietly.
“Relax. We’re here to be commended, not punished.”
I nodded, refraining from reminding him how different our situations were. He had probably attended functions at the palace since he was a small child, whereas I had never even dreamed of stepping inside the palace grounds. It was only a reminder of the differences between us at a time when I’d resolved to stop thinking of them as much as possible.
All too quickly, we were swept up the grand steps of the palace by waiting footmen and ushered through a bewildering set of corridors. Everywhere I saw white marble, red and gold decorations softening the severity of the stone.
