31
Dear Lady Narcissa,
I hope you are enjoying your stay here at the Grand Alevine Opera. The living quarters are absolutely divine, are they not? I suppose you won’t be staying long as the end of the tour draws nearer, but it would mean the world if you could attend my show one last time with His Majesty and the crown prince tonight.
Looking forward to seeing you,
Celeste Carr
I stared at the neat, swirling script, so unlike the coarse lemon juice messages on the back of the fliers. Misty surveyed the letter before walking across it, crumpling the paper.
She wants you to see a show you’ve already seen? Sounds suspicious, Misty meowed.
It was suspicious. But what was the point of investigating whether Celeste was involved in the meetings? King Maximus already decided on his plan of action. This was no longer my concern.
“Suspicious or not, we’re going,” I said, standing from my vanity. “You heard Ulysses this morning. The tour is ending in four days.”
I hadn’t expected it to end so soon. The past few months had gone by in a blur.
“And after that, of course,” Ulysses added, “is the wedding. Thank heavens I don’t have to plan that.”
I balked at the mention of the wedding. Being Bennett’s wife was something I never considered. It had always been about my role as the crown princess of Olderea. It was difficult to forget our conversation last night in the king’s chambers. Bennett made his feelings for me abundantly clear. He didn’t want anything from me. He just wanted...me. Yet I couldn’t bring myself to believe him.
Don’t act so surprised. He was bound to like you, Misty said, hopping onto the carpet.Besides, is it so bad?
I turned to the window, leaning against my bed post. “It’s notbad,” I said, struggling to form my thoughts. “I did not expect it, that’s all.”
Misty sat back, giving me a hard stare. Her whiskers and elegant form made her look wise beyond her years.Solitude is essential in moderation, but crippling in excess. Even strays like me find solace in company.
“You’re not a stray anymore,” I said, joining her on the carpet. I petted her ears fondly. “Besides, we have each other. We always have. Together forever, remember?”
That was what we had promised each other—a lifetime of love and friendship.
Misty pushed her head into my hand.I know, darling. But don’t you think it’ll be better with more than two of us against the world?
I gave her a peculiar look. “What has gotten into you?” Misty always liked it when it was just the two of us. She was upset with me the other day for this very reason. Realization dawned on me. “Is this because of Pippin?”
Misty licked her paws.Partly. I love you to the moon and back, but having a feline companion is an entirely different experience. He made me realize what I was missing.
I frowned. “I didn’t know you were missing anything.”
I’m only being honest.
A pang shot through my chest. Misty had always been with me the moment we found each other at the palace dumping grounds all those years ago. The thought that I had kept her from living how she pleased pained me more than I could describe.
“Do you think you would’ve been better off if...if you hadn’t met me?” I asked.
Misty meowed indignantly.Don’t put words into my mouth. I’m only saying that accepting Pippin’s companionship has been for the better. It gets lonely when you’re out and about.
Protestations died on my lips. Misty was always by herself whenever I had events to attend. But the thought of not having her waiting when I got back was unbearable. She had always been the one to comfort me, to make me laugh, to help me sleep at night. She was the only one who knew me in and out—the only one wholovedme.
I hope you’re not delusional enough to think that, Misty said, pulling away from my hand.You’re surrounded by love, both potential and existing. You have been for months. Whether you dare to accept it is another matter. I, for one, am going to find Pippin.
She turned up her tail and stalked toward the door.
“Misty—”
