“Why didn’t you say so?” Gideon smiled, sharp blue eyes glinting with mischief. He and the parchment disappeared.
Everyone around us gasped.
Whispers and pointing fingers directed our attention toward the throne.
Gideon had flashed into existence on the raised dais between the King and the current petitioner. The guards belatedly raised their weapons as the King stiffened. Before they could react further, Gideon bowed low.
“What’s he saying,” Bosh hissed.
“If you can’t hear, what makes you think we can?” Illium snapped.
I couldn’t help but be irritated as well. I hated when things didn’t go according to plan. As much as we tried to eavesdrop with the rest of the crowd, we couldn’t make out a word they said from this distance.
When Gideon disappeared in a flash once more, I tensed, waiting.
“Here are your invitations,” Gideon spoke from his original position. He waved seven of the formal parchments that we’d intended to steal. Just like that.
“What—how did you—” I flushed as everyone around us stared, including my men.
“I asked.”
Of course. Who would refuse to give an invitation to a Jinni? The King would have to be a fool to risk his ire. In fact, he probably assumed he was being honored by the presence of a group of Jinn and hoped to be showered with Jinni favor all night.
I gritted my teeth together in a forced smile. “Thank you.” It was foolish to be angry about this. I shrugged off the discomfort, gesturing toward the opposite side of the castle, where we could now enter the great room with a genuine invitation. “Lead the way.”
As we left the line, we passed a tall fireplace and approached the double doors to the great room, where two guards stood stiff on each side.
Gideon simply flashed the invitations—and the guards opened the heavy doors wide. The first thing my eyes landed on were tables filled to the brim with food.
As I surveyed the crowds of people, some seated, others dancing or talking, the muscles in my jaw tightened. I barely reined in my rage at the sight of him.
Prince Dev.
Blood pumped in my ears, making the merriment around me almost inaudible.
My fingers curled and I clenched my fists at my sides, unable to move.
Do not start a fight,I reminded myself.Not here. Not yet.
The prince was taller and more muscled than I remembered, but he had the same unruly brown hair and smirk. Seated on yet another raised dais, he was surrounded by food and drink, as well as a large group of men and women. Their boisterous laughter carried across the room.
We made our way around the outer edge. “Split up,” I said. “Get some food. We’ll meet by the pillars at midnight.” I pointed to the massive white stone pillars marking the main entrance.
Everyone dispersed, except Arie and Gideon.
I scratched my neck. “I assume you have a method for bearing witness...”
Gideon half-smiled. “Don’t worry about me, Master Kadin. I’ll be watching.” He slipped away into the crowd before I could ask if he meant watching the prince, or me.
“Shall we?” I turned to Arie, leading her to a table with two open seats. Normally I didn’t waste time in places like this; not like these nobles who spent their entire day enjoying entertainment and filling their mouths. I forced myself to unclench my fists and focus. We only had the day to make this work, so we had to work smart and we had to work fast.
