Chapter Ten
Analleia
The first ParavellianBall did not produce everything I had hoped for, but it was not a total a failure.I pulled the golden pins from my hair and dropped them onto my dresser.Nadiyah and Desmond hadn’t returned yet.I ran the layout of the palace through my mind over and over again, analyzing every possible outcome for when we pulled off the assassination.I had gotten my hands on a stolen copy of the blueprints years ago, studying them into the late hours of the night and sacrificing sleep between grueling training sessions, but it was nothing compared to being there in person.There was also the potential for the blueprints to have changed over time, unused passages boarded up or new constructions added.I had ventured everywhere guests were allowed tonight, taking note of what did and didn’t match the blueprints.
A key clanked into the lock, and Nadiyah entered, catching the smug look on my face.
“Have a little too much fun with the prince tonight?”she asked.
I continued pulling the pins from of my hair as a crooked smile crept its way up my face.Yes, I was rather proud of that.I might have gone overboard, but it was worth ruining his night.
I glanced up at my reflection in the mirror.He had stared at me when I first approached, his penetrating gaze so intense I thought he had recognized me.Anxiety had snatched my breath away that all of our plans were about to be ruined, but I reminded myself he couldn’t recognize me—even if I was familiar after five years.The enchantment would not reveal my true face to him.
“He stormed away with his uncle,” I said.“It caused quite a bit of gossip, although I don’t think any of the attendees know what prompted the outburst.”
I dropped the last pin into the basin and ran my fingers through my hair, undoing the braids and coaxing out the knots.
“The prince is a fool,” I continued.“He’ll never get Haskelle to agree to his terms again now that the diplomat knows he lied to him.Good riddance.I hope we destroy everything the royal family tries to accomplish while we’re here.”
“Any luck with the man you’re looking for?”Nadiyah asked.
“Nothing.”I pulled on the laces of my dress, slipping the gown off my shoulders until I was only in my chemise.I’d been hoping to find the mysterious Richard Athello tonight so I could take his ring and be done with it.“I brought his name up to nearly every person I spoke with but no one was able to place him.Surely he isn’t dead.Maybe he didn’t make it or hasn’t arrived yet?He could also be someone of little importance, and I need to dig deeper.”
If he was difficult to find, the Enchantress should have given more instructions.Not that she had offered much of an explanation at all in the first place.
“What of your evening?”I asked.“Did you accomplish anything productive?”
Nadiyah rolled her eyes, unraveling her hair as well while I slipped into my nightdress.“My target is on the guest list, but he wasn’t in attendance tonight.So I engaged in pleasantries, gossip.If you want the best vantage point to shoot from, it will be the highest balcony.It has a clear view of the dais and the curtains at the top will easily conceal you.”
I nodded.“I wasn’t able to make it up there tonight, but I was thinking the same thing.”
Nadiyah’s fingers slowed as her face grew apprehensive.“And I spoke with King Zaricor.”
I froze, a prickle traveling across my skin, the hair on the back of my neck rising.
“Youspoketo him?”My chest swelled with anger.This could ruin everything.“Nadiyah, you can’t risk exposing us before the first ball is even over!”
