Where would they go if they were demoted on the spot? They would be left to fend for themselves. The forest path was wet with frost. I counted it as a blessing that it wasn’t snowing heavily, thanks to Olderea’s mild weather. Maddox and Flannery wouldn’t stand a chance against a blizzard.
Misty stuck her head out of the saddlebag.Have you convinced him yet?
I shook my head, glaring at Bennett’s back. Insufferable man. I couldn’t imagine what made him overreact to the point of cutting my brother out of the Royal Guard.
Lord Frederick turned around. “Alevine is just ahead!” he shouted.
The forest had melted away into paved road. About half a mile ahead was the city gate, towering and gray.
Ulysses rode up next to me, eyes shining. “Ah, I simply cannot wait to sleep in a proper bed,” he said. The events of last night didn’t seem to faze him—perhaps because he managed to sleep through everything.
“How close is Lady Ruan’s manor?” I was already tired of riding.
Lady Vivia Ruan was to be our hostess during our stay. She was thrown into wealth in recent years after acquiring some property or other, so I was told.
“Oh, we won’t be staying at a manor, Lady Narcissa. She owns and runs the Grand Alevine Opera,” the steward said, straightening his necktie.
“Oh,” I said, raising my brows. That must be the property. “She lives in the opera house?”
“But of course! It’s notjustan opera house. I heard the living quarters above the theater are phenomenal,” Ulysses said.
I studied Cozbi’s mane, which had gotten windblown with travels, and thought back to the fliers. Somehow we were staying at the very place I had suspicions about.
You’re not going to tell anybody about that?Misty asked.
Not yet.I petted her ears. I figured Lord Frederick was already tired of hearing me speak.
I needed solid evidence first.
25
The Grand Alevine Operawas a massive structure of creamy arches and domed ceilings. The black marble floor shone like a mirror. Endless flights of stairs crossed over each other, leading infinitely upward.
“You and your party will be staying on the third level, Your Highness,” our hostess said as we hiked up the steps. Lady Ruan was a middle-aged woman with glossy black hair streaked with gray. She had all the formality and elegance of a noblewoman, but it didn’t take away from her open amiability. Her brown eyes sparkled with pride when the stairwell opened up to a lavish living area. “Your Highness, Lady Narcissa, here is your suite.” She showed us to a luxurious chamber of white and gold.
Bennett frowned. “Are we to share a room?”
