“Where will you be?” I whispered.
“Spying.” Bláth winked and sauntered away.
Taking a breath, I approached Reese. He chatted with Liam and a man I did not recognize—though I could guess his identity, considering the legendary hammer strapped to his back. Tall,dark-skinned with neat black hair—this must have been Paragon Agendra. He wore Terishal garments—loose-fitting pants tied with a colorful sash. His tunic hung open, revealing his broad chest and an elaborate necklace of aquamarine beads.
Agendra nudged Reese in my direction. My Paragon's golden eyes landed on me, and he froze, grip slipping on his glass. He barely managed to catch it before it shattered on the floor.
Straightening out, Reese set the glass down and rushed to meet me. “You look incredible.” He grinned, offering me an arm.
“Don’t I?” I took his arm. A flush crept over my cheeks. “Brighid’s wardrobe isn’t half bad.”
He chuckled, leading me back to the table. “This is Agendra, though I'm sure you already know that.”
Agendra pressed a fist to his chest and bowed. “Buttercup has been filling me in on your exploits, Lady Rohan.”
“Buttercup?” My eyebrows shot up.
“Oh, that’s good.” Liam leaned on the back of a chair. “I’ll have to remember that one.”
Reese sighed. “Don’t pay him any mind; he gives the worst nicknames.”
Oh. That meant I would get one, too.
A faint smile crossed Agendra’s mouth.
Clearing my throat, I elbowed Reese. "You're one to talk, calling me Sunshine when I'm anything but."
Liam laughed into his glass. "Nonsense, sister, everyone back home thinks you're a hoot."
"Sunshine," Agendra repeated, staring at Reese. "Cute."
Flushing, Reese pulled me away from them. “Are you ready? The Lecovair are all here.”
“Approaching them first will give us an edge.” I tightened my grip on his arm. “Let’s get this over with.”
“I’m glad you understand political games. I hate them.”
“Right. You headbutt politicians.”
“Tell me they don’t deserve it.” Reese took the lead, guiding me toward the northern end of the room.
"Be careful, sister," Liam called after us. I turned to see Agendra lift his glass in a parting wave.
Reese paused in the middle of the ballroom, staring at the thus-far empty dance floor.
The two of us could not dance in public. Should we try, the rest of the room would descend upon us to yank me away and bathe me in humiliation.
"Hm.” I nudged him. "Laiserian owes me a dance. Did he accompany his father?"
"Yes.” Reese's voice sounded bitter. He looked away. "Ask him. He'd be a fool to say no."
I heard the dash of jealousy in his voice, saw the way he pressed his lips into a thin line.
We were both idiots. And for some reason, that made my heart flutter with excitement.
Hand tightening on my arm, Reese pulled me away from the dance floor, toward the northern dais.
My breath fled when I saw the people gathered there. Brightspears flanked the long banquet table, and Solheart nobles gathered around it. A golden woman sat at the table’s head, radiant and sublime. Her white dress plumed around her, and a magnificent golden mantle rested on her shoulders. A golden circlet bound blonde hair looped into a towering updo.
