The bottom floor remained as elaborate as the entry hall, but with each passing flight the decorations grew more sparse, as if the architects had lost the passion of beautifying the building the more the project stretched on.Our simple hallway had gold-colored carpet and a burgundy wallpaper with a twisting pattern that stretched from floor to ceiling.Shiny gold numbers marked the white doors, and I stopped before room 604, fitting the key into the lock and turning it.It clicked, and I swung the door inward, stepping into the massive suite.
I watched Nadiyah’s jaw nearly hit the floor.
“Is all of this for us?”she asked.
“Yes,” I said.
These rooms felt like having an entire castle to ourselves compared to the confines of the assassin’s tower.For all her fierceness, the expression on Nadiyah’s face melted into that of a small child as she bounded into the room, massive skirts and all, and took it in.Throwing open one of the bedroom doors, she ran inside and flopped on top of a massive canopy bed.
“Don’t get too comfortable,” I warned.
Nadiyah slipped off the bed and sauntered back into the sitting room.“Why not enjoy ourselves while we’re here?”
She slipped an arm around Desmond before planting a kiss on his cheek.I averted my gaze, red tinging my ears and running down my neck.Happy as I was, it was strange for me to see them interact like this publicly—especially after how secretive they’d been about their relationship in the tower.
Nadiyah pivoted, staring at a mound of packages lining the far wall.
“What are those?”she asked, curiosity lighting her voice.
Relief rushed through me at the sight of the ribbons and tissue paper, and I smiled.“Our attire for the next few weeks.”
Nadiyah and I tore into the packages, pulling out some of the most elaborate ball gowns I had ever beheld.Nadiyah squealed over it all, running her hands along the silk skirts and lacy sleeves.The fashions were far different from when I’d last attended the seven balls, and I eyed the foreign hooks and strings with doubt.
“We’ll have to hire at least two maids,” I decided.“They’ll know more about the fashions than either you or me, and besides, I would have no idea what to do with my hair.”
“I could help you.”Nadiyah continued rummaging through the boxes.“But itwouldsave us time.As long as they’re trustworthy and not prone to gossip.Secrets are worth more than gold to most royals.”
I rang one of the bells along the wall, pulling a sheet of paper from the desk as I dipped the quill in ink, hastily scribbling a note onto the parchment.The knock at the door came far too quickly, and I frowned.The bells were strung all the way down to the basement.No one could climb stairs that quickly.
“Speedy service.”I smiled as I opened the door.The page bowed and said nothing as I handed him the note.He raced down the hall and out of sight.
“There’s a faster way to get around this inn than the stairs,” I said.
Nadiyah laughed as she uncovered a suit and threw it to a frowning Desmond.I raised my eyebrows at the complicated uniform.
“Will we have to hire a manservant for you as well?”I mused.
“I’ll manage,” Desmond grumbled.
I opened the glass of the large bay window, seeking the best way to scale down the building before turning my gaze to the dying sun.It was almost time for the first ball.Five years.Five years, all for this moment.Tonight, the Paravellian Balls would begin.Tonight, our plot would set into motion, and I could finally fulfill the oath to avenge my family and my kingdom.
