The three of us fell into companionable silence.
The past month had been painfully uneventful. Though I received a flood of invitations and calling cards for various teas and gatherings, I declined them all. They came from the very people who spurned me months before, including Mother’s former friends. I decided I was quite done with them.
Other than taking strolls and visiting our local witch-owned shops, Maddox and I fell back into our previous routine of doing absolutely nothing, though this time we did so in each other’s company. Giselle visited frequently after quitting her position on the witch committee.
“It’s too much pressure,” she said breezily when we asked her why. “Besides, I’ve always wanted to open my own dress emporium.”
Soon after, Giselle secured an empty shop at the corner of Delibera’s witch market. When she wasn’t there, she spent her time readingThe Sailor’s Seductionover Maddox’s shoulder as the three of us lounged in my room. Misty and Pippin joined occasionally, the former looking more pregnant by the day.
Father didn’t seem to mind Maddox and me wasting our time. After learning that we single-handedly took down Celeste, he said we deserved a break. I only hoped it would be long enough for Maddox to find something else to do. Lady Vanessa and I were getting used to the lack of shouting matches in the abbey.
“You don’t need any help at your dress shop, do you?” Maddox asked, propping himself up on his elbows.
Giselle waved her hand. “No, no. I don’t plan on opening until Narcissa gets married.”
I nearly choked on my tea. “Why?”
“Once the people see the wedding gown I made for you, I’ll have plenty of customers.”
“You’re not working for the royals anymore, Giselle.” I set down my teacup and studied the lace on the curtains across the room. “Besides, the wedding is not guaranteed to happen.”
The thought used to hurt more, but I’ve had plenty of time to come to terms with it. It didn’t matter how unfair it was. It didn’t matter how my stomach fluttered at the scent of cedar. King Maximus was a stubborn man, and I didn’t want to hope if there was none.
Giselle made a noise. “The king has been locked up in his library for the entire month. I sincerely hope he’s rethinking his decisions.”
“Honestly. The engagement was his idea and now he won’t even let you see the crown prince.” Maddox sat up. “Plus, after everything I did, the least I deserve is an honorary medal,” he grumbled under his breath.
Giselle threw me a sidelong glance. “You know, if you ever need an invisibility tonic to sneak into Bennett’s—”
“For the third time, Giselle, no.” I folded my hands in my lap, wishing the conversation would turn elsewhere. I had long given up on seeing Bennett again before the year was up despite Misty’s increasingly impatient reminders about our agreement. And I certainly wasn’t going to attempt one of Giselle’s many unscrupulous plans.
She pouted. “But it would be so romantic.”
“Sneaking into someone’s room uninvited is the furthest thing from romantic,” Maddox interjected.
Giselle threw a tasseled cushion at him. “What doyouknow about romance?”
“More than you, evidently,” Maddox said, rubbing his head.
The two began bickering. They were too preoccupied with each other to notice that I had risen from the sofa. But before I could make a stealthy escape to the gardens, a knock came from the door.
Father poked his head in. “Cissa, you have a visitor,” he said. “It’s the king.”
***
IWRUNG MY SLEEVESas I followed Father down the hall. Daylight streamed in from our newly modified windows, now as large and grand as the ones in Huntington Abbey. But the cheerful lighting wasn’t nearly enough to quell my anxieties.
“What does His Majesty want?” I asked.
“He didn’t say.” Father furrowed his gray brows. When we stopped before the parlor door, he took my shoulders. “Cissa, I want you to know how proud I am of you.”
“Oh,” I said, startled at the sudden praise. “Thank you, Father.”
“No, truly. You were brave back in Alevine. Braver than I was. I hope Maximus can see that,” he said. He closed his eyes and sighed heavily. “And that his son will be happier with you.”
I was close to letting out a sigh of my own.
“Crown Prince Bennett inquired after you.”
